The Educational Resources page offers educators the unique opportunity of studying the First World War in local, national, and international contexts.  The downloadable PDF files include suggested lesson plans, which help to provide educators and students opportunities to study a war that is seen less glamorous than others.

Lesson Plan:  The Story of the Pandemic through Primary and Secondary Sources: A group project

Introduction: 

For historians, there are two types of sources:  primary and secondary.  Toward the end of World War I the "Spanish Influenza" swept through America and killed thousands of people.  This event is often overlooked since it falls between the two World Wars.  This project will consist of a group presentation and individual research papers constructed through the use of primary and secondary sources.

Objective: 

This lesson is designed to help students understand the impact that the "Spanish Influenzaî had on America.  Throughout the project, students will be exposed to primary and secondary sources and will gain experience in using them to retell the story of the "Spanish Influenza.î  The students will also gain experience in preparing and delivering a presentation while working in groups.

Standards:

A.12.8.  Analyze how public health and social policies, along with government regulations, influence health promotion and disease prevention.

B.12.1 Explain different points of view on the same historical event, using data gathered from various sources, such as letters, journals, diaries, newspapers, government documents, and speeches.

B.12.2 Analyze primary and secondary sources related to historical question to evaluate their relevance, make comparisons, integrate new information with prior knowledge, and come to a reasoned conclusion.

C.12.1 Prepare and deliver formal oral presentations appropriate to specific purposes and audiences.

Level: 

This lesson is designed for students at the high school grade level.  This lesson can be modified to meet lower grade requirements by shortening the length of the presentation or paper, or asserting a more simple focus for the presentations and papers.

Follow the link to download the full lesson plan PDF file... The Story of the Pandemic.

Lesson Plan: Biography

Introduction: 

Historians often have the difficult task of taking bits and pieces of information and putting them together to form an account of the past.  Sometimes those pieces need to be connected and speculations need to be made based on the evidence available.  In order to understand the lives of Brown County soldiers during the First World War, one is able to use the evidence left behind in the photos, letters, and records to write a detailed biography of their lives.

Objective: 

The project will help students build critical thinking and writing skills in a historical setting, and understand more fully the local involvement of the Brown County Soldiers in the Great War.

Standards:

B.12.1 Explain different points of view on the same historical event, using data gathered from various sources, such as letters, journals, diaries, newspapers, government documents, and speeches.

B.12.2 Analyze primary and secondary sources related to historical question to evaluate their relevance, make comparisons, integrate new information with prior knowledge, and come to a reasoned conclusion]

B.12.5 Gather various types of historical evidence, including visual and quantitative data, to analyze issues of freedom and equality, liberty and order, region and nation, individual and community, law and conscience, diversity and civic duty; form a reasoned conclusion in the light of other possible conclusions' and develop a coherent argument in the light of other possible arguments

Level: 

This project is designed for students at a high school level.  A basic overview of World War I should be given by the teacher in order for the students to build some background knowledge of the war prior to this lesson. 

Follow the link to download the full lesson plan PDF file... The Biography

Lesson Plan: Map Exercise

Introduction: 

It is often very difficult for teachers to keep their students interested in history while truly teaching them history.  Sometimes, students lose interest because they are unable to relate to the material being discussed; however, this lesson provides students with an opportunity to learn about the World War I and the Brown County soldiers through the routes in which they traveled within Europe and the United States during the war.  With the service records of the Brown County soldiers, the students can construct an understanding of where the soldiers went and what their lives were like.

Objective: 

Students will construct a better understanding of World War I geographical events through the travels of the Brown County soldiers while building creativity and presentation skills. 

Standards:

8^th Grade Standards:

B.8.1 Interpret the past using a variety of sources, such as biographies, diaries, journals, artifacts, eyewitness interviews, and other primary source materials, and evaluate the credibility of sources used.

B.8.2 Employ cause-and-effect arguments to demonstrate how significant events have influenced the past and the present in United States and world history.

B.8.4 Explain how and why events may be interpreted differently depending upon the perspectives of participants, witnesses, reporters, and historians.

B.8.12 Describe how history can be organized and analyzed using various criteria to group people and events chronologically, geographically, thematically, topically, and by issues.

12th Grade Standards:

B.12.1 Explain different points of view on the same historical event, using data gathered from various sources, such as letters, journals, diaries, newspapers, government documents, and speeches

B.12.2 Analyze primary and secondary sources related to a historical question to evaluate their relevance, make comparisons, integrate new information with prior knowledge, and come to a reasoned conclusion

B.12.3 Recall, select, and analyze significant historical periods and the relationships among them

B.12.4 Assess the validity of different interpretations of significant historical events

B.12.5 Gather various types of historical evidence, including visual and quantitative data, to analyze issues of freedom and equality, liberty and order, region and nation, individual and community, law and conscience, diversity and civic duty; form a reasoned conclusion in the light of other possible conclusions; and develop a coherent argument in the light of other possible arguments

Level: 

This project is intended for middle or high school students who have a basic understanding of the World War I.  The students will use geography and mapping skills to better understand the events of the war and the roles of American soldiers. 

Follow the link to download the full lesson plan PDF file... The Map Lesson Plan