Teacher Resources for Instructional Planning


Grade 6, Social Studies Std 11: Identify critical events occurring in the United States and throughout the world form the Truman through the Johnson Administrations, including the Cold War, Berlin Airlift, Korean Conflict, space race, and construction of Berlin Wall, Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam War.

Lesson Plans: How Intelligent Adults Came to Use Terms Like 'The Red Menace' In this lesson, familiarize students with the Cold War, provide a variety of perspectives of this era, and encourage critical thinking. Intervene or Interfere? Exploring Forty Years of United States Intervention in Foreign Affairs In this lesson, students will research the motives, actions, and results of U.S. intervention in foreign affairs between the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion and the 2003 invasion of Iraq; they then present their research to class for comparative analysis. Follow the Marx: Learning About Communism In this New York Times lesson, students explore communism from historical and theoretical perspectives to present to fellow classmates at a teach-in. Harry S. Truman and Korea The Korean War is often referred to as the "Forgotten War," nearly as many Americans lost their lives in Korea as did in Vietnam. In this unit, through research of oral histories and historical revision, students can gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made by Americans in the Korean War. Pictures of the Berlin Airlift In this activity, students will be able to describe cartoons and photos from the Berlin Airlift and to put them into a historical context. White House Havoc In this lesson, students will research past United States presidents’ methods of confronting crises. They then write a State of the Union Address for that president in historical context. Opposing Views of Vietnam In this lesson, students will understand Richard Nixon’s policies concerning the Vietnam War in 1969, including “Vietnamization” and also debate The main arguments of Vietnam veteran John Kerry and the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) in 1971 in opposition to the continuation of the war. Battling Memories -- Exploring Personal and Public Consequences of the War in Vietnam In this lesson, students will examine the wartime killing of civilians in Vietnam through discussion, close reading and research. The Wars for Viet Nam This lesson provides a good hypertext overview of the war highlights this site. Included are primary source documents and pictures of the Vietnam conflict. Teach Vietnam The curriculum covers six (6) modules: Escalating Involvement in the Vietnam War, Conflict on the Home Front, Those Who Served, The Vietnamese and Vietnam, The Wall as Healer and The Legacy of the Vietnam War. Lesson plans may be accessed through the Teachers' Guide link on the Educators page. Assignment Hanoi This lesson helps students understand; the history of Vietnam, both before and including the Vietnam War;- the emotional issues which affect US relations with Vietnam; the political issues behind normalizing relations with Vietnam; and the steps towards reconciliation taken by Ambassador Peterson. Vietnam Once Again -- Examining Why the Vietnam War Is Still Difficult to Discuss In this lesson, students share what they know about the Vietnam War before examining how the war was viewed and discussed by people who lived during that period. Students then write essays expressing their opinions on why it is still difficult for Americans to candidly and comfortably discuss the war. Student Information Guide: Communism and Containment This guide provides some background information and student activities that teach about the Cold War. The main focus, however, is on the Truman Doctrine and the U.S. containment of Communism. Lessons are included in the "Teacher Guide" section. The U.S. Response To The Cuban Missile Crisis Students will research on one of the most important two-week periods in American History, The Cuban Missile Crisis. As a pretend member of EX-COMM (the Executive Committee of the U.S. National Security Council) students experience team building and crisis management. Cold War Causes The California Educational Department has provided this lesson plan in an effort to teach students about the origins of the Cold War. The lesson plan includes several suggested lessons and activities. Does not include many resources.

Resources: Battlefield Vietnam A PBS documentary including timelines and tactics. Arc Lights and Super Gaggles Examines the Air Battle for Khe Sanh. Vietnam 1954-1968 This CNN Interactive article has maps and other activates for students. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page This site is dedicated to honoring those who died in the Vietnam War. The links and resources below were taken from the lesson Vietnam: A Soldier's Perspective: Vietnam Veterans Home Page Vietnam Veteran's Terminology and slang All you ever wanted to know about how Vietnam vets communicated. Vietnam Vets Oral History & Folklore Project Bibliography of books and songs during the Vietnam War. Philip Milio's Return to Vietnam Photos of a veteran's return to Vietnam in 1995. Vietnam Helicopter Flight Crew Network A collection of newsletters. Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum LBJ’s Remarks at the University of Michigan
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