20th Century II: 1940s - The Home Front
Dan Gordon, Salem Keizer Public Schools
McKay H.S.
Salem, OR
Name______________________ Parent Signature______________________ (5pts)
We are going to review WWII, and we will do so with two units of study. Part 1 is the home front. You will have multiple tasks to choose from in this Layered Curriculum unit. You will have the opportunity to earn a "C", "B", or "A" on this unit, depending upon the number of tasks completed, the layers from which they were chosen, and both the quality of the product and your ability to fulfill the oral exams. In the "C" level you will find the most tasks and the most points. It must be completed to receive a grade beyond a "C". You can chose to do an "A" level or "B" level task, but without the "C" level points you will be unable to achieve even a "C" grade. Remember, half the points will come from completion of the task, and the other half will come from your oral defense.Layer 1: C Level
Choose 4 of the following tasks:
Draw a Venn Diagram for the Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles and the race riots in Detroit
that took place during WWII. Provide a one page typed paper that summarizes your findings on
the similarities and differences of the riots. 20pts______/______
1 Write an "autobiography" that includes: name, age, parents occupations, hobbies, school
activities, favorite food, favorite restaurant, favorite movie, favorite musician, two conflicts in
your life, your opinion on rationing, and where you see yourself in 5 years. The year in 1942, and
you are living in Salem, Oregon. 20pts______/_______
1 Draw a poster of "Rosie The Riveter". Compile a one page typed paper that describes the
move of women from the home to the work force. 20pts______/_______
1 Create a collage of 40's fashions. Provide a key for each picture and a brief description of
the fashion or fad that includes some background on the group(s) who wore these styles.
20pts______/______
1 Watch the movie, "A League of Their Own", then research the All American Girls Profes-
sional Baseball League. Provide a two page typed paper that compares the movie's handling of this subject with the facts. Also address the accuracy of the depiction of the home front.
20pts______/________
1 Research the rationing that went on during WWII. Write a two page typed paper that
covers the items, products and materials that were rationed. Explain the process that was used to implement the rationing and whether or not it was considered effective. Five extra points will be given to anyone who brings in a rationing ticket, or who provides a first person interview report on a relative or acquaintance who remembers rationing.
20pts______/_______
1 Research Executive Order 9066, and the Supreme Court case (Koramatsu v United States)
that came about due to the execution of said order. Write a two page typed paper that deals with internment of the Japanese Americans and your feelings about this.
20pts______/_______
1 Watch the movie "Swing Shift". Write a one page typed review of the movie from the per-
pective of a woman who worked on a production line during WWII and took her grandkids to
watch this movie. 20pts______/_______
Layer 2: B Level
Choose 1 of the following tasks:
1. Build a model of any 1940 to 1945 automobile. Provide a one page typed
paper that describes the car, the cost, the gas mileage, and how the car was marketed.
30pts________/________
1 With a partner, perform the "jitterbug". (20 pts) Perform the jitterbug
dressed as a "bobby soxer". (25 pts) Provide music, a movie clip, and teach the dance to the
class. (30pts)
1 Create a time capsule with at least 10 products and inventions from the 1940's (i.e. Morton's
Salt, M&Ms). Attach a tag identifying the year introduced. 30pts_______/________
Layer 3: A Level
Choose 1 of the following tasks:
2 Research propaganda used to motivate the American people in support of
the war. Provide a two page typed report on your findings. Also provide film clips, political
cartoons, video cartoons, songs, speech excerpts, etc. as examples. 30pts_______/_______
1 Charley Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonius Munk changed the "old" jazz
to "new" jazz. Research the men, their music, and their specific contributions. Write a two page typed report on your findings. Also provide a cassette or CD that has examples of the songs of each artist.
30pts________/________