Lesson 2: The Tennessee Valley and the War Effort

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

6, 11

Overview

This free, interactive website helps middle and high school-aged students explore the effects of the Tennessee Valley Authority during World War II. The website includes videos, photographs, handouts, primary resources, and more. 

This lesson provides information on how the Tennessee Valley Authority played a key role in helping the United States win World War II. Lesson plans are provided on the website including introductory activities and extension activities. Lesson plan powerpoints are also available. Full-length videos are provided on the website with video response questions as well as interactive graphics for student use. 

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 6

SS10.6.6

Identify causes and consequences of World War II and reasons for the United States’ entry into the war.

UP:SS10.6.6

Vocabulary

  • consequences
  • Allies
  • Axis Powers
  • World War II
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Battle of Normandy
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Battle of Midway
  • Battle of the Bulge
  • Atomic Bomb
  • Holocaust

Knowledge

Students know:
  • How to identify the causes and consequences of WWII and what led to U.S. involvement in WWII.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Recognize relationships among people and places by locating historical events on a map.
  • Cite evidence to support historical events using primary and secondary sources.
  • Describe how world events contribute to international conflict.
  • Examine the contributions of significant individuals and/or groups, and their role in WWII.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many causes and consequences of WWII and the motivations for American involvement in this war.
Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 11 - United States History II

SS10.US2.9

Describe the significance of major battles, events, and consequences of World War II campaigns, including North Africa, Midway, Normandy, Okinawa, the Battle of the Bulge, Iwo Jima, and the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences. [A.1.b., A.1.c., A.1.d., A.1.e., A.1.g., A.1.i., A.1.k.]

UP:SS10.US2.9

Vocabulary

  • WWII campaigns
  • Midway
  • Normandy
  • Okinawa
  • Battle of the Bulge
  • Iwo Jima
  • Yalta Conference
  • Potsdam Conference
  • allied and axis expansion
  • Blitzkrieg
  • island-hopping
  • amphibious landings
  • atomic bomb
  • Holocaust
  • Bataan Death March
  • Nuremberg Trials
  • Declaration of Human Rights
  • Genocide Convention

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Major battles, events, and consequences of World War II campaigns.
  • The location on a map of major battles of WWII and the territorial claims of the different WWII powers.
  • Military strategies used in WWII.
  • Reasons for and results of dropping atomic bombs on Japan.
  • Events, incidents, and consequences of war crimes committed during WWII.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Locate specific points on a map and identify political, social, and geographic changes that occurred during or as a result of a historical event.
  • Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media.
  • Evaluate an author's premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information related to historical events.
  • Read and comprehend historical texts independently and proficiently on various topics related to events that led to WWII and the effect of those events on American foreign policy today.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There were many key events and battles of WWII that had an impact on the outcome of the war, and the relationships between countries in the post-war world.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Currents of Change

License Type

Public Domain

Accessibility

Audio resources: includes a transcript or subtitles
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