Subject
Eighth-grade North Carolina history
Competency goals
Social studies: 6.2, 6.3, 6.4
Instructional materials
- article: Prelude to War (in this workshop)
- printable World War II time line (in this workshop)
- construction paper
- scissors
- crayons, colored pencils, or colored markers
- tape or glue
Introduction
A crucial goal in the study of history is understanding the sequence of events. Using the narrative "Prelude to War," the students will construct a Chain of Events, a time line of North Carolina’s involvement in World War II. That participation began before the United States entered the international conflict. Have the students make individual links of the chain using dates from the World War II time line. Highlight North Carolina events in red but also include others that were important to the war effort. Consider creating the chain by having the students answer a series of questions that they discover in a scavenger-hunt format. As the class answers each question, make a new link containing that information.
Questions for developing the Chain of Events might include
- When did the draft begin?
- How many North Carolinians enlisted before war was declared?
- Which North Carolina military posts were established for the war effort?
- How many ships were sunk off the North Carolina coast?
- When did the war end in Europe? In Asia?
- When did rationing begin?
- When was the first atomic bomb dropped?
- When was the USS North Carolina commissioned?
Procedure
After the students have read "Prelude to War" and the World War II time line, have them use the other materials to construct a Chain of Events. Each link in the chain should contain the description and date of a North Carolina (or other) event connected to World War II. They can hang the chain along the walls, from the ceiling, above the board, or from corner to corner of the classroom.
Extension activity
Have the students research and report on one of the events in the chain.
To the teacher
- This exercise may be modified according to student ability.
- The chain may be completed in two sections to complement the curriculum pace, ending at D day for the first lesson and continuing to Hiroshima for the second lesson.
- Create a chronology game for your class before making the chain. Print the event descriptions in a large font size, cut the sheets into strips, fold the strips, and place them in a box. Have each student draw one or more strips (depending on class size). Then have the class arrange the strips in chronological order. Be prepared—this can be a little chaotic!