Grant Heidmann

Prof. Wyckoff

Edu 220

4-6-22

Lesson Plan
 11th Grade History Lesson Plan-Comparing Causes of the World Wars

Standards:
Nevada Academic Content Standard
Grade 11-12
1. [RH] Grade 11-12 Reading Standard #2: Determine the central ideas or information of
a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the
relationships among the key details and ideas
2. [WHST] Grade 11-12 Writing Standard: 2b: Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting
the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations,
or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.

Objectives:

Students will be able to analyze the causes of World War I and II via a group research
venn diagram activity with 90% accuracy.

Students will be able to create an essay showing the causes of the World Wars with
80% accuracy.

Materials:
Teacher-Computer, whiteboard, markers, projector and or SmartBoard. 20’x20’
paper for drawing venn diagrams.
Students-Phone or computer, textbook, writing utensil, paper. (Essays can be
handwritten or typed.)

Procedure:

Orient:
● Students will watch a very brief lecture.
● Students will research and find four causes for the United States joining
World War II.
● Students will work in a group to complete a venn diagram showing four
reasons why America joined World War I, four reasons for joining World
War II, and four similarities. Students will then present this.
● Key Vocabulary
○ World War II-A global conflict that most historians agree lasted from
1939-1945. Involving primarily the Axis and Allied powers, fought
everywhere in the world from Italy to the Philippeans to Alaska.
 ○ Pearl Harbor Attack-An attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on
December 7th, 1941 by the Japanese.
○ Nazi Germany- A political party in Germany that lasted from 1933
to 1945, characterized by anti-semitism, and overreaching
government control.
○ Allied Powers- The United States, Great Britain, China, the USSR.
○ Axis Powers- Nazi Germany, Japan, Italy

Prerequisites/Review:
● Recall why the United States joined World War I.
○ Reasons include:
■ Zimmerman Telegram
■ German Invasion of Belgium
■ Lusitania Sinking
■ Triple Entente
○ Recall what these events include, (Loss of Life, Threat, Allies
under attack..)
● Recall how a historical essay works:
○ Introduction/Thesis
○ Three body paragraphs supporting the introduction/thesis
○ Concluding paragraph that discusses how the body supports
the introduction
● Recall how a venn diagram works:
○ Two circles that overlap. Information about two topics is
written in them. Information that is similar is put in the
overlap, and differing information is put in the outside.

Introduce:
● This begins with the introduction of World War II.
○ Introduce the activity by instructing students to either use their
phones, computers or textbooks to research reasons why the
United States entered World War II.
○ Students can research alone or in groups, but they will have to
work in groups to complete a venn diagram.
Teach:
● This begins with the introduction of World War II.
○ Discuss dates, combatants, major events, and the major reason
America got into World War II, the invasion of Pearl Harbor (-5
Minutes)
 ○ During this, students will take notes either on the computer on
paper to use later on.
● Teachers will hand out paper and create groups for students to research
and work on their venn diagram.
● Teacher will walk around during the venn diagram/research activity to
check on students progress and answer questions.
● After the students have completed their venn diagrams, have groups
present to the class and talk about the information they wrote down for
their venn diagram, including why America joined World War I, II, and how
America joining each event was similar.

Check For Understanding:

● Teachers will have the groups present their venn diagrams, sharing all the
information they collected from the multiple sources.
○ Did they identify four reasons for America joining World War I,
World War II, and four similarities between the two?

Practice (Independent or Group and Modifications for Exceptionalities)

Independent assignment for mainstream learners:

● Students will use the information contained on their venn diagram,
as well as their research to construct a five paragraph essay
discussing why America joined each World War, and the similarities
between the joinings.
○ Students must use a total of six pieces of information from
their venn diagram in their essay.

Modifications for Students With Special Needs

Gifted:
● Allow students, for extra credit, to create a bigger venn diagram,
with three or four circles, and let them choose another war that
America has been involved in, Civil, Vietnam, Korea, to include in
their diagram.
Learning Disability:
● Provide more individualized help for students in their research and
writing.
● Use scaffolding to explore concepts and new ideas.
 ● Use a paragraph/story starter program to get them started on the
right track.
English Language Learner:
● Use Google Translate (Students or Teachers)
● Use increased visual data in lectures, and let students research in
their native language.
● Use a paragraph starter program if th

Assess Performance/Provide Feedback

Analysis
● Students will begin their essays, writing just the first paragraph, and
that will be an exit ticket for finishing class.
Homework
● Have students work on essays at home, but give a few minutes in
class for several days to answer questions and guide in their
writing.
● After a set amount of time, maybe a week, have students turn in
their finished essays.

Essay Analysis
● Did the student
○ Include 6 topics from their venn diagram in their
essay?
○ Accurately depict why America joined World War I
and World War II, and the similarities of these two
events?
○ Write in a cohesive, legible manner?
Feedback
● Meet with students to discuss their essays.