World War II Book Project

Purpose of Project: The purpose of this project is to have students conduct deeper research into the evens of World War
II that interest them and to show an understanding of the global conflict. The project is due no later than 3:00 pm on
December 12. No late projects will be accepted. If at any point you have questions or need help, see me or email me at
christiemegura@gmail.com
How Am I Getting Graded?
25 points- Group and self-evaluation done at the end of the project
25 points- Visuals
50 points- Quality of content
Part 1: Visual Component (25) How the final project looks
10 points Appearance: The project is neat, complete, professional, and is clearly eighth grade level work.
10 points Creativity: No other project looks like this. It has new and interesting elements that make it stand out. The
group thought outside the box and tried new things.
5 points WWII Visuals: All visuals show that students have a strong understanding of WWII. Everything relates to
World War II and there are no random or out of place images.
Part 2: Group Evaluation (25) Each of your team members will scores you after the project is turned in. They will
score you on the following categories from 0-5 based on how you worked in the group. You will also score yourself.
1. Contributions- What did this person do for the project?
2. Quality of Work- Did their pages look neat, professional, correct and like an eighth grader made them?
3. Focus on the task- When the group worked, did they stay on task and focused?
4. Time-management- Did they meet deadlines and use group time well?
5. Working with Others- Were they respectful and helpful?
Part 3: Content of the Book (50)
What The Final Project Must Include:
1. Cover- 5 points
2. Table of Contents- 3 points
3. Propaganda Advertisement- 7 points
4. Interview with Survivor -7 points
5. Journal entry from a soldier- 7 points
6. You choose- 7 points
7. You choose- 7 points
8. You choose- 7 points
Cover (5):
The cover should illustrate key symbols, events or pictures related to WWII. The cover should have a title for the project
and must include all group members first and last names. It should be on the outside of the book before the book is
opened. The cover can be two dimensional (pictures and drawings) or three dimensional (items glued on or sculpted on
top of the cover.)
Table of Contents (3):
This should be a one-page list that includes the name of each page, the page number and the author of each page. If more
than person did one page in the book, write all names. If the entire group helped with the page, write by whole group.
Table of Contents Example:
Concentration Camp Propaganda Ad
Interview with Anne Frank
Journal from D-Day

Page 1
Page 2 & 3
Page 4

By: Orlando Molina

By: Melissa Gomez and Ivy Salazar
By: Whole group

Propaganda Advertisement (7): The purpose of propaganda is to persuade people to believe false or partially false
information. There can be positive propaganda that makes a country or leader look good or negative propaganda to make
Christie Megura 2014

7/8th World History teacher at NFL Yet Academy

certain people or ideas look bad. The key is that they are persuasive. Select one of the following topics to create
propaganda on:
1.
2.
3.
4.

The United States persuading Americans that they should avoid WWII
The Nazis convincing Aryans that they are the best
The United States persuading Americans that internment camps were a good idea
The Nazis persuading Germans that the Final Solution is necessary

Once the topic is selected, draw a propaganda advertisement with words and images to persuade the reader. Write a one
paragraph response explaining the propaganda and how it is persuasive.
Interview with a Survivor (7):
Step 1: Pick a specific person alive during World War II. This could be a key leader, soldier, Holocaust survivor, Nazi,
etc. Here is a list of possible choices. You may pick someone different, as long as you get it approved by me BEFORE
December 9, 2014.
Elie Wiesel (Holocaust survivor)
Anne Frank (Famous writer)
Lucky Louie Zamperini (American Prisoner of War, or Lyudmila Paklickenko (Russian Sniper)
POW)
Eileen Nearne (British spy sent to Concentration
Oskar Schindler (Nazi spy who saved Jews)
camp)
Thomas Buergenthal (Concentration camp
Chester Nez (Navajo Code Talker)
survivor)
Gene Boyt (survived Bataan death march)
Step 2: Research their life and experience during the war. Your questions must make sense with their life experiences and
must not be already clearly answered. For example, do not ask Anne Frank Do you survive the Holocaust?
Step 3: Write a list of 15-25 questions that you would wish to ask this person if they were alive and you could interview
them. You are NOT writing responses. These questions can be open ended and ask for descriptions or feelings.
Step 4: Include a photo or drawing of the person you interviewed somewhere on the page. This can be printed or drawn.
Journal Entry (7):
This must be one full page either typed or hand-written. It can include visuals (pictures from the battles or other relevant
drawings) but does not have to. It should still look neat and professional. It should be written from first person point of
view (I, me, my). It should include descriptive details and accurate information about the battle. Finally, it should have
correct spelling and punctuation.

Step 1: Select one battle from the following list to additional research on:

Pearl Harbor

Battle of Midway
D-Day Invasion

Bataan Death March

Battle of the Bulge
Battle of Iwo Jima

Battle of Stalingrad
Battle of Anzio
Battle of the Coral Sea

Step 2: Research one battle or conflict you selected from above. In your journal entry, you must include:
Where the battle was fought
Which country or alliance the soldier is fighting on behalf of
A description of the events of the battle. This might include weapons used, a description of the landscape,
description of transportation being used, etc.
Feelings of the soldiers fighting
A description of how the battle ended and which side one
Step 3: You can make up fictional information such as the soldiers name, personal information about him or her, etc.
You Choose Page Options (21 total) You may select any of the three options listed below. You must pick three different
options and you cannot repeat options.
Christie Megura 2014

7/8th World History teacher at NFL Yet Academy

Political Cartoon (7)

The purpose of a political cartoon is to criticize or draw attention to a problem that is occurring. The cartoon must use
pictures, symbols and text to help the reader identify a problem in World War II. This type of cartoon is symbolic and not
literal. The author of the cartoon is able to express their feelings about a topic or event by using symbols.
Examples of topics to cover or criticize: Use of Japanese Internment camps, the US dropping the atomic bomb, German
citizens ignoring the brutal treatment of Jews, the US staying isolated from World War II, blind loyalty to dictators, the
scapegoating of Jews, etc. You may get a different topic approved by Ms. Megura if you would like.
Letter Home (7) If you are interested in learning more about the daily lives of soldiers, nurses or spies, this is a good
option for you. Write a one page letter including detailed information about what the writer has seen and experienced.
Write in first person point of view. Make sure to use vivid imagery (sight, sound, taste, touch or smell.)
Advertisement (7)
During World War II, there was a high need for supplies, weapons and soldiers. Make an advertisement using pictures and
persuasive writing to convince Americans to collect one of these things. You can advertise for men to join the army or for
women to become nurses or spies. Food had to be rationed along with certain metals to make weapons. Research specific
supplies that had to be rationed before making your advertisement.
Newspaper Article (7) This is similar to previous newspaper assignments. The only difference is that you are writing one
informative article reporting on one major event of World War II. This article should be based on facts and should avoid
using bias or opinions. Events that you can use include:

Bombing of Hiroshima
Pearl Harbor attack
Germany invading France

The British helping the French escape across the

English Chanel
Kristallnacht or Night of Broken Glass
Other event you choose if approved by Ms.
Megura

Write a summary of these events in a one page article. The page should also include:
1. A Newspaper Title
2. An article headline
3. At least one image or graphic that helps to explain the article
The newspaper should be formatted to look like a real newspaper. See Ms. Megura if you need more information.
Poem (7)
Write a detailed poem conveying the mood of World War II and the destruction it caused. Your poem must have a clear
theme and at least three examples of figurative language. You can choose to focus on one specific event of WWII or the
war as a whole. It must be at least 20 lines and three stanzas. It does not need to have a rhyme scheme. There should be
some sort of visual or picture to go along with it.

Christie Megura 2014

7/8th World History teacher at NFL Yet Academy