Overview This lesson focuses on how the United States’ involvement in World War II created change in Kansas. Students will look at primary sources to examine the causes and effects of these changes. In addition, students will independently identify and describe how one of these changes affects their lives today.
Standards History: Benchmark 5, Indicator 5: The student explains how World War II acted as a catalyst for change in Kansas (e.g., women entering the workforce, increased mobility, changing manufacturing practices). Common Core Reading: RH 7.1: The student will cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources. RH 7.2 The student will determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions. Common Core Writing: WHST 7.4: The student will produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. WHST 7.9: The student will draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Objectives Content: • The student will be able to explain what changes took place in Kansas during World War II.
• The student will be able to recognize how changes in Kansas during World War II impact his or her life today.
Skills: • The student will be able to interpret primary sources to gain information.
• The student will be able to analyze and synthesize the lasting impact of World War II on society in Kansas.
Essential Questions
• How does America’s involvement in a war overseas affect life in Kansas?
Activities This activity uses the following Read Kansas! cards: • Women in the Workforce • Production • Mobility Day 1 1. Introduce the lesson by explaining that students will be exploring how World War II changed three major aspects of Kansas life. After investigating these areas of change, students will identify evidence of these changes in contemporary Kansas. Explain that prior to World War II the Kansas economy relied almost exclusively on agriculture. Families farmed together and passed the farms down through generations. This society showcased strong gender roles in which the father managed the farm or business and the mother stayed home and cared for the family. 2. Work in groups of three students. Each student begins by reading one card. Be sure students read the images as well as the text for answers. Have students record the effects of the change in the corresponding column on the Catalysts for Change worksheet. Students then pass their card and worksheet to another person in the group. That person can add information to the “Effect” column. Repeat for the third card. Have students discuss answers in small groups and make sure every student in the group has the same information on his or her worksheet. 3. Using the completed Catalysts for Change worksheet, have each student write a paragraph describing how one of the changes shapes his or her life today.
Assessment • Observe the students’ abilities to read and analyze the themes represented in the Read Kansas! card. • Evaluate the students’ abilities to write a paragraph describing how one of the changes affects his or her life today.
For the Teacher If you are using the textbook, The Kansas Journey, use Chapter 11 with this lesson.
Change Effect Women in the Workforce • Was the first opportunity for many women to join the workforce • Many women moved off of family farms to towns and cities
Production • Altered the Kansas economy • Population increases in certain towns • Many companies boosted by World War II still producing (Cessna, Coleman, etc.)
Mobility • Family farms held for generations become less common • People now move several times throughout life as jobs dictate • City and state populations are less consistent and more fluid
The materials in this packet may be reproduced for classroom use only. Reproduction of these materials for any other use is prohibited without written permission of the Kansas Historical Society. Resources for this lesson are from: • Kansas Historical Society collections • Wichita Public Library • Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
Catalysts for Change Change Effect Women in the Workforce
Production
Mobility
In a paragraph, explain how one of the changes above affects your life today. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________