Lesson #5: Victory, At Any Cost!

Lesson Author

Teacher Candidate

Brett M. Dodrill

School Name

George Washington High

Class/Grade Level

11th

Lesson Topic

Victory, At Any Cost!

Subject

Social Studies

Lesson Overview
Lesson Title
Victory, At Any Cost!
Lesson Summary

Students will examine the final stages of World War II and identify specific outcomes of the war, both in
the European and Pacific Theaters. We will identify important events and battles, such as Stalingrad,
Kursk, Midway, and Normandy, as well as the post-war world outlook. We will begin our post-World War
II research project, using iMovie and the school iPads to do this.
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES/ STUDENT OUTCOMES

Students will examine and identify the penalties of war faced by the Japanese in the United States and
their homeland.
Students will investigate and cite evidence about the significance of the events of the European and
Pacific Theaters of war.
WV NxtGen Standards

Students will examine and identify the penalties of war faced by the Japanese in the United States and
their homeland.
Students will investigate and cite evidence about the significance of the events of the European and
Pacific Theaters of war.
National Standards//21st Century Skill(s)

Learning and Innovation Skills

Information, Media and Technology Skills

Management Framework

30 Minutes: Lecture and note-taking

10 Minutes: Video Timeline: World War II in Europe and the Pacific: Every Day
10 Minutes: Preparations for research project with iMovie
Strategies

Direct Instruction

Large group discussion

Small group research project

Instructional Procedures

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We will be jumping straight into the material, doing a quick review of the events of the war up until
this point. The PowerPoint lecture will lead off the class, and take up the majority of the time. We will
be covering the Eastern Front from the pushing back by the Russians from Stalingrad and discuss the
Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle in history, and outline the German retreat back to Germany. In
the West, we will discuss the Allies pushing Germany back through France and eventually back into
Germany. In the Pacific, we will discuss the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and how these three
fronts proved to be the decisive end of the Axis Powers. We will discuss post-war topics, such as the
Potsdam Conference and the Paris Peace Treaties of 1945, and what sanctions they placed on
Germany and Japan, as well as the Nuremburg Trials. Finally, we will be covering the split of Germany
into East and West Germany, and how the Soviet Unions confidence following the war is what
initially led them to be a world superpower.

Following the Lecture portion of class, we will be reviewing a video on YouTube, following a timeline
of the events of World War II by way of shading on a map, and the shifting of colors depending on
the primary influence at the time. This activity will be a fun and interesting way to track the events of
the war as they happened.
Students will then be asked to begin discussing a research project that they will be doing. They will be
asked to make a video presentation with iMovie, detailing the full course of the war from the infant
stages, to full blown war, to the aftermath of the war. Students will do this project in teams of four
and will be asked to fill the presentation with many great detail. This will be assigned as homework
over the weekend. The students must use Google Drive and share their outlines with me so I can
make corrections, or make suggestions.

Essential Questions
Unit Questions

What specific events brought an end to World War II, and what were some of the outcomes
following the end of the war?

Lesson Content
Questions

What specific events brought an end to the war?

What are some political changes that came to Europe following the war?
What penalties were brought against Germany and Japan as a result of their actions during the
war?

ASSESSMENT PLAN
Assessment Timeline

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Before the lesson begins

Diagnostic
We will have a
brief discussion of
both the European
and Pacific
Theaters and what
important events
led them to their
conclusion.

During the lesson assessment.

(Formative)

Important events
Students will be
that students
asked to lead an
should be able to
open discussion
identify include:
as to what they
believe
-The bombing of
appropriate
Hiroshima and
penalties against
Nagasaki
the Axis Powers
-Battle of the Bulge
would be, and if
-Battle of Midway
they believe the
-Normandy
world went far
enough in their
-Stalingrad
decision.

No correct
answer, as long
as students can
identify war
reparations as a
classic example
of wartime
penalties. They
should also
mention the
Nuremburg
Trials as one of
the largest
military trials in
history.

After project work is completed

Summative
Students will be
asked to create
a video
documentary of
World War II,
spanning from
immediately
prior to the
aftermath that
we covered in
class. The will
do this with
their iPads and
with the school
computers.

Students should
be able to
identify the
causes of World
War II, the
important
figures,
important
battles, and the
result of the
war, especially
war reparations
and the
Nuremburg
Trials.

Lesson Details
Prerequisite Skills

Students must have a basic understanding of the prior lessons of the unit. The ability to connect all of the
events is paramount in this final day activity.
Students must also have a working knowledge of the iMovie program on the iPads.
They must also have a vague familiarity with Google Drive, and be able to share documents.
EXTENTED ACTIVITIES
If Student Finishes Early

If a student finishes early, I will

direct them to Khan Academy
videos to set them up with
knowledge that we will be
exploring for the next several
days.

If Lesson Finishes Early

If a student finishes early, I will

direct them to Khan Academy
videos to set them up with
knowledge that we will be
exploring for the next several
days.

If Technology Fails

Students will be asked to begin

the layout of their research
presentation, and be ready to
begin videoing on Monday. They
will be asked to turn this outline
in to be checked before the end
of the period so that any
suggestions can be given by me.

DIFFERENTIATED IN STRUCTION/ ADAPTATIONS/ INTERVENTIONS

(Learning Styles, Students with Special Needs, Cultural Differences, ELL)
This is how you will accommodate students individual needs as these needs relate to lesson objectives.
Special Needs
Students

Students will be given extra time to complete their research, as well as have extra
time for note-taking during the lecture portion of the lesson.

Nonnative
Speakers

Nonnative speakers that have a translator with them will be allowed to use them,
as well as have the lesson presented to them by visually to increase understanding.

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Gifted/Talented
Students

Students that are gifted or exceptionally talented will be taught the same as the
rest of the students, and then called on to help any students that may be
struggling with the material.

Materials and Resources Required For Lesson

Technology Hardware (Click boxes of all equipment needed)
Camera
Laser Disk
Computer(s)
Printer
Digital Camera
Projection System
DVD Player
Scanner
Internet Connection
Television
Technology Software (Click boxes of all software needed.)
Database/Spreadsheet
Image Processing
Desktop Publishing
Internet Web Browser
E-mail Software
Multimedia
Encyclopedia on CD-ROM

VCR
Video Camera
Video Conferencing Equip.
Other

Web Page Development

Word Processing
Other

Printed Materials

None

Supplies

Teacher computer
Classroom projector
iPads (with iMovie program)
Laptops
Notebook and writing utensil

Internet Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e_AZ3j2LbY

Other Resources

Microsoft PowerPoint

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