Economic Lesson

Grade: 8

1. Theme: Economic hardships on the home front. This unit will discuss the economic hardships that people on the home front faced during World War II.

2. Materials:
a. Primary Documents
b. Attached worksheet
c. Internet
d. Library access

3. Goals: The students will understand the effect that World War II had on the economics of the United States during this time.

4. Objectives
a. The students will identify items that were rationed during World War II.

5. Procedure
a. Introductory experiences: Ask the students questions regarding items that they like. Examples include; what is your favorite food? What is your favorite shirt? Ask a variety of similar questions to a variety of students. After students have shared some of the modern conveniences that we use everyday discuss how during WWII these item were not readily available. Introduce the idea or rationing

b. Developmental experiences
1. Show students the picture of the ration packet. Discuss how the rations were used. Rations were used as a way to monitor the distribution of food during the war. Discuss why there was a need for rations. The need for rations stems from the increased need for the everyday goods overseas to provide resources to the troops who were fighting. Discuss how rationing affected every part of life. Show the remainder of the primary documents. Pass them around the class. Discuss what people did to help themselves in this time of rationing. People created “victory gardens” People recycled everything from clothes to envelopes. Also people started eating new foods. (15 minutes)

2. Hand out the attached work sheet. Give the students the directions. Students work individually on the work sheet using the available resources. (20 minutes)

3. Reconvene as a class. Discuss part two of the work sheet. Ask probing questions to gage the understanding of the rationing system. Review a good portion of the items that the students had on their lists and the reasons behind each item. (10 Minutes)

c. Closure: Collect the worksheets from the students. A student who has not spoken yet today will ask a question regarding today’s lesson.

6. Assessment: Informal assessment will take place as I view the students as they work individually on the worksheet, also as they participate in the class discussion. Formal assessment will take place as I view after class the worksheets that the students completed and handed in.