10-Day World War II Curriculum for Middle to High School Students

Day 1: Introduction to World War II

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Overview of World War II causes, major countries involved, and timeline from 1939 to 1945. Discuss the Treaty of Versailles and its impact.
• Worksheet: Map activity labeling Axis and Allied powers; timeline sequencing of key events.
• Quiz: Multiple choice and true/false questions on causes and countries involved.
• Subject Explorer: Write a brief summary explaining what led to the start of World War II.

Day 2: The Rise of Totalitarian Regimes

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Study of the political leaders and ideologies - Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy), and militarism in Japan. Introduction to fascism and Nazism.
• Worksheet: Compare and contrast chart of the three regimes.
• Quiz: Short answer questions on characteristics of totalitarianism and key leaders.
• Subject Explorer: Write a reflection on how these regimes gained power.

Day 3: Early Battles and Blitzkrieg

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Discuss Germany’s military strategy of Blitzkrieg and early battles including the invasion of Poland and Fall of France.
• Worksheet: Map labeling key battles and a cause-effect chart of Blitzkrieg tactics.
• Quiz: Identify battles and explain Blitzkrieg in a few sentences.
• Subject Explorer: Describe Blitzkrieg and its impact on early war success.

Day 4: The Battle of Britain and the Home Front

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Study the air battles over Britain and civilian life during wartime.
• Worksheet: Reading comprehension on the Battle of Britain with questions; diary entry prompt from a British civilian.
• Quiz: Multiple choice on the importance and outcome of the battle.
• Subject Explorer: Write a diary entry imagining life during the Blitz.

Day 5: The Eastern Front and Operation Barbarossa

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Explore Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union and the harsh conditions on the Eastern Front.
• Worksheet: Timeline and cause-effect worksheet on Operation Barbarossa.
• Quiz: Short answer questions on reasons and consequences of the invasion.
• Subject Explorer: Summarize key difficulties and turning points on the Eastern Front.

Day 6: The United States Enters the War

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Discuss Pearl Harbor, U.S. declaration of war, and changes in military and home front.
• Worksheet: Cause/effect chart of Pearl Harbor and U.S. response.
• Quiz: Multiple choice and short answer on Pearl Harbor and U.S. involvement.
• Subject Explorer: Write about how Pearl Harbor changed the course of WWII.

Day 7: The Holocaust

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Introduction to the Holocaust, Nazi policies, concentration camps, and human impact.
• Worksheet: Timeline of key events and a survivor story analysis.
• Quiz: Terms and key facts about the Holocaust.
• Subject Explorer: Reflect on the importance of remembering the Holocaust.

Day 8: Turning Points: Stalingrad and D-Day

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Explore major turning point battles - Stalingrad and D-Day invasion.
• Worksheet: Map activity of battle locations; cause and consequence chart.
• Quiz: Multiple choice questions on significance of these battles.
• Subject Explorer: Write about why these battles were turning points.

Day 9: The War Ends: VE Day and Hiroshima/Nagasaki

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Study the end of the war in Europe and the Pacific, including atomic bombs and their consequences.
• Worksheet: Reading and critical thinking questions on the dropping of atomic bombs.
• Quiz: Short answer and true/false on end-of-war events.
• Subject Explorer: Discuss ethical considerations of atomic weapons used.

Day 10: Aftermath and Legacy of World War II

• Time Required: 1 hour
• Lesson Plan: Post-war changes: United Nations, Cold War beginnings, rebuilding Europe, and lasting impact.
• Worksheet: Cause and effect on world history; reflection on lessons learned.
• Quiz: Comprehensive quiz covering major topics from course.
• Subject Explorer: Write a paragraph on how WWII shaped the modern world.

Would you like the curriculum adapted for a different age group or with more detailed content?