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Lesson 3 Overview:

Summary:

A map showing the hometowns of your state’s victims of the Vietnam War creates a stunning visual reminder of the impact of war and the importance of remembering on Memorial Day those who sacrificed their lives so we might live freely. Also, the biography will allow the students to develop a better understanding of what their Veteran went through in Vietnam but also life. It will also reflect the impact of war and importance of remembering our soldiers.

 

Learning Objectives:

·      Students will be able to create a map that illustrates the local (your state) impact of the Vietnam War

·      Students will will be able to create a biography of someone they know who was in the Vietnam War or of a person from their hometown. Students will also do research to make the biography of their Veteran

·      Students will be able to recognize the reasons we celebrate Memorial Day

 

Assessment:

·      Students will write a one-page paper on why they chose the person they did, what they learned and why they think it’s important to remember these Veterans. Allow students to have enough time to be elaborate and really reflect on what they see when all the pushpins and biographies are up on the map.

 

 

Preparation:

Materials/Resources:

 

Prior Knowledge:

  • Students will already know how to properly use a computer

  • Students will already have done research on a computer

  • Students will already locations on the map

 

Instruction:

1. Before the lesson, the teacher will obtain a large map of your state either from the Internet or post it to a bulletin board. (Teachers choice)

2. Post the map around the room so the students will see the visual of what they are doing.

3. Describe the activity to the students:

            Students will use an Internet resource to collect information about soldiers from your state who were killed in action in Vietnam.  Or, if they know of relative who passed away in the Vietnam War, they would be welcome to research them as well. This will be to recognize and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The students will then use pushpins to indicate on a large map of their state the hometowns of their state’s victims of the Vietnam War.

The websites to use to direct them to findings are:

 

http://thewall-usa.com/search.asp

Scroll down the page to the search engine. Click the name of your state in the Home State/Country drop-down menu. Then click the Start Search button to see a list of soldiers from your state who were killed in Vietnam. (Ten names are listed per page.) If your students do not have Internet access, you could create a list of your state's victims of the war by copying and pasting the entire text of the page(s) into a word processing document; then deleting all the information except the soldier's name and hometown. Note: Each soldier's profile includes a link to more detailed information about him or her and to a page where memorial messages or photographs can be left.

http://www.virtualwall.org/istate/istatpa.htm

Click your state's name for a list of those from your state who were killed in service during the Vietnam War. There you will find a list of servicemen and women; click any name to link to a biography page. Many biographies include photos.

 

4. The students will then choose their own person that they would like to use. It’s completely up to them who they choose.

5. Once they have chosen and wrote down what they learned about their soldier (name, birth date, hometown, ranking, military branch, etc. Whatever they can find and find interesting.), the students will find the correct location on the map of where their soldier is from and put a pushpin in it’s spot. (The students may decide to find several names to mark on the map; it’s the teacher’s choice. Only write a paper on one person though.)

6. The students will then design an index card/construction paper of the biographical information about each soldier to put an even more personal touch on the map. They may add the information that they want to include and think is important. A picture is required if there is one available. They can be displayed however the students prefer.

7. After marking the map, discuss with students their impressions of it. It is likely that many students have never given much thought about the soldiers who sacrificed their lives of us who live in their hometown. Ask: Why is it important to remember those soldiers? Why is it important to participate in Memorial Day events? The discussion might lead into the diversity of men and women who served, how those killed were of many ranks and played many different roles in the war, and why it is important to support U.S. troops stationed around the united States and the world today.

           Allow for the students to discuss together and add input when needed.

8. Students will then handwrite a one-page paper on why they chose the person they did, what they learned and why they think it’s important to remember these Veterans. Allow students to brainstorm, elaborate and really reflect on what they see when all the pushpins and biographies are up on the map.

 

 

PA State Standards:

E04.C.1.2.2: Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.

E04.E.1.1.3: Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).

E04.E.1.1.4: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic and/or convey the experience and events.

CC.1.4.4.G: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts.

15.3.5.G: Prepare appropriate information for impromptu and planned presentations. Reference English Language Arts CC.1.5.2.D

15.3.5.H: Present information as an individual or in a small group. Reference English Language Arts CC.1.5.5.A, CC.1.5.5.C, CC.1.5.5.D, CC.1.5.5.E

15.3.5.J: Demonstrate active listening techniques.

15.3.5.I: Demonstrate note taking and questioning skills. Reference English Language Arts CC.1.5.2.C

8.2.4.B: Locate historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to Pennsylvania history.

The Vietnam War- Plan 3

 

​Soldier's of Vietnam

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