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Women Riding on Tank in Civilian Defense Parade | Ohio Historical Society | AL00100
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

Primary Source Activities: World War II Posters

Author: Patricia Vazquez

Grade(s): 5

Description

Lesson summary:
To analyze the posters listed under "Resources" to learn more about primary sources, understand the use of propaganda and increase student knowledge on World War II.

Lesson:

This activity consists of the following parts:

  1. Discussion of the role of propaganda and symbols
  2. Students analyze one poster as a class
    3. Students analyzed a poster in pairs and answered the following spiral questions Students created their own propaganda poster dealing with current events


Level I: Description
1.Identify symbols used by artists to create propaganda posters.
2. When would these posters have been used? Explain your reasoning

Level II: Interpretation
1. How might these posters be different if they were written by the Axis powers instead of the Allies?
2. Categorize the different posters according to their purpose?

Level III: Analysis
1. How would changing the tone of the poster affect the message being sent?
2. Do you believe that the propaganda posters were effective in achieving their goals? Defend your position

Standards

  • Social Studies Skills and Methods, 3-5, Benchmark D: Use problem-solving skills to make decisions individually and in groups.
    • Indicator: Grade 5, GLI 9. Use a problem-solving/decision-making process which includes: a. Identifying a problem; b. Gathering information; c. Listing and considering options; d. Considering advantages and disadvantages of options.

Print Version

Resources