Middle School History

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November 12-16

Week 3: Textbook, Unit 2, Chapter 6, Section 3,“A Bloody Conflict”

The Big Idea:  The fate of nations is forever changed by monumental world events.

The Main Ideas:  New technologies made World War I the first modern war. (p. 385) American soldiers entered the war, boosting morale and fighting courageously. (p. 386) The United States rejected Wilson’s generous peace plan and the League of Nations. (p. 388)

Vocabulary:  network, adequately, resolve

People, Terms, and Events to Identify:  Vladimir Lenin, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Fourteen Points, League of Nations, Treaty of Versailles

Reading Objectives:  Discuss the fighting techniques used in World War I.

Characterize the American response to the Treaty of Versailles.

Day 1:

*Read Text pages 385-386

*Do Guided Reading Activity 6-3, page 130 in Unit 2 Resources book

*Reading Strategy- Analyzing- Tell students to read the description of trench warfare. Ask: Why were the casualty rates so high in World War I? (Troops crossing the open spaces between trenches known as “no man’s land” were easily gunned down by enemy fire.)

*Begin work on Propaganda Poster/Ad-Look at website… http://www.firstworldwar.com/posters/usa.htm

Day 2:

*Read Text pages 387-388

*Discuss vocabulary armistice, Fourteen Points, League of Nations, Treaty of Versailles, reparations.

*Work on “Guided Reading Activity 6-3

*Work on Propaganda Posters-May look at website…. http://www.firstworldwar.com/posters/usa.htm

Day 3:

(Maybe teacher can bring in tea stained paper. This will look old, dirty, tattered, as if it has been folded up in a dirty soldiers pocket.)

* Writing about History-Descriptive Writing:  Imagine that you are an American soldier fighting in Europe during World War I. Write a letter home describing your situation, and explain why you are there. This will be hand-written and written like a letter.