Off to World War I?
Krista Ruud
Fellowship
Lesson 2009
Champaign
County Historical Archives
Abstract: Students
will use local and national primary resources to understand America’s need for
men and women to serve in World War I, what men and women did during World War
I, and what their experiences in Europe were really like.
Essential Questions:
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What was required for people to go to World War I?
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Why did American men join World War I and what did they do?
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Why did American women join World War I and what did they do?
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How did men and women feel about joining World War I?
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Once they got to Europe, how did American men and women feel about
being there, and what were their experiences?
Age Group: Middle School
Duration: This
unit will take 4-7 days.
Assessment: Throughout
the unit there will be some formal and informal assessment. The unit ends with
students writing a 1-2 page newspaper editorial about whether or not young
American men and women should support the war effort and join as a soldier or a
nurse given the conditions of the war, America’s need for volunteers, and other
soldiers’ and nurses’ wartime experiences.
Setting the Purpose: War can often sharply divide a nation;
while some people support it and the cause, others do not. Although World War I
took place over 90 years ago, many of the issues, sentiments, and reactions which emerged during that time are still
applicable today. During World War I many Americans supported the United
States’ involvement and found ways to serve their nation, but others, just like
Americans before and after them, did not want to serve. Men and women were
asked to serve in different capacities, but men were also drafted and required
to serve, whether they supported the cause or not. These lessons will allow
students to view primary sources from the time and get a greater sense of how
Americans felt during this era and how they reacted. Students will also be able
to learn about local people who went off to fight, allowing them the
opportunity to better recognize how military involvement impacted their local
area.
Lesson 1 – To or Not To: Americans Joining World War I
In this lesson students will use a 4-square chart
to brainstorm ideas on why/why not men would want to fight in WWI and why/why
not women would want to volunteer to be a nurse in WWI. Students will then read
two articles about the WWI draft and fill out a graphic organizer.
Lesson 2 – America Wants YOU to Join World War I
In groups, students will read and analyze
newspaper articles about the service of men and women during WWI.
Lesson 3 – Serving America in the War
In groups, students will read and analyze letters
from WWI soldiers and nurses about their experiences and the conditions in
Europe.
Lesson 4 – My Thoughts on Going Off to World War I
Students will use the unit
worksheets and documents to write a 1-2 page editorial focusing on whether or
not young American men and women should support the war effort and join as a
soldier or nurse.