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

Lesson Plan: The Arms Race – From the Beginning to the End

Author: Tom King, Brett McCrery, Joan McKown, Tim Montgomery

Subject: History
Grade(s): 9

Benchmarks and Indicators

  • History 9-10, Benchmark E: Analyze connections between World War II, the Cold War and contemporary conflicts.
    • Indicator: Grade 9, GLI 11. Analyze the consequences of the World War II including: a. Atomic weapons.
    • Indicator: Grade 9, GLI 14. Explain the causes and consequences of the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War including: a. The arms build-up.
  • Social Studies Skills and Methods 9-10, Benchmark A: Evaluate the reliability and credibility of sources.
    • Indicator: Grade 9, GLI 1. Detect bias and propaganda in primary and secondary sources of information.
    • Indicator: Grade 9, GLI 3. Analyze the reliability of sources for : a. Accurate use of facts; b. Adequate support of statements.

Lesson Summary

This lesson plan focuses on the political and technological developments of the Cold War.

Instructional Procedures

  • Primary Source Activity 1: "A-Bomb"
    • Divide students into groups, and give each group a copy of the Atomic Bomb Spiral Questions Worksheet.
    • Students will study the photographs and record their responses to the spiral questions about these photographs.
  • Lecture/Presentation using PowerPoint presentation provided.
  • Assignment: Timeline Worksheet
  • Primary Source Activity 2: U.S. Policy and Its Evolution During the Arms Race: Presidential Speeches
  • The groups will be asked to read and summarize the speech they are given. The students should provide a short presentation based on their interpretation.
  • Based on the presentations given by their classmates, students will rejoin their groups to discuss the different policies.
  • Teacher will guide a class discussion based on the evolution of U.S. foreign policy during the arms race.

Post-Assessment

Students will be assessed based on their ability to fill in the items left out of the timeline on this worksheet.

Material Resources

  • For Teachers:  PowerPoint software, video projection system, copies of various worksheets (see links above), Completed Timeline
  • For Students:  Pens, Pencils