This downloadable creative, fun activity for World and American History classes has students reading short, one page stories of minority groups that helped during World War II. These include one page each on:
- The Navajo Code Talkers
- The Tuskegee Airmen
- Rosie the Riveter
- The American Nisei Soldiers
Here are some sample images of what the readings look like:
Each page is simple and engaging for middle and high school age students, and is based on state and Common Core Standards for history. Students then use the information they read to create commemorative plaques that honor that group for their service.
To differentiate for your classes, higher level students can read and complete all four. Lower-level readers can be placed in groups of 4, with each student reading a different story, completing a plaque, and then sharing his/her plaque with the others. English language learners or special education students can be placed in groups with all the same story to create a plaque together, and then present theirs to the rest of the class.
Here are some sample, completed plaques from a student:
As a final activity or for homework, there are 10 review questions in which students identify characteristics of each of the four minority groups.
This is a fun activity for students to learn about some of the groups whose amazing bravery and contributions helped American through World War II. Click here to download this activity for your classes and let us know what you think!