Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "United We Stand: Magazine Cover Analysis"

United We Stand Homepage

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:16:23 GMT

In this online exhibition, students will analyze authentic magazine covers from July 1942, along with a timeline and brief video news clips in order to understand the importance of the home front during the Second World War. The resource includes a searchable collection of magazine covers from the era and is part of an online exhibition, titled: July 1942: United We Stand. The site explores a campaign during World War II by the nation's magazines to promote national unity, rally support for the war, and celebrate Independence Day.

Design Your Own Family Flag

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:06:55 GMT

In this activity, children will create their own family flag using colors and pictures that have personal meanings. They will then explain why they chose those colors and pictures and their meanings. This resource is included in an OurStory module entitled Making the Star-Spangled Banner. OurStory is a series of modules designed by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources allow children to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.

Design Your Own Performance

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:44:35 GMT

In this lesson plan, students will analyze images relating to Celia Cruz and then design a performance to understand the role of aesthetics and style in the performing arts. This lesson is a resource included in the online exhibition entitled ¡Azúcar! The Life and Music of Celia Cruz.

World War II

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:24:47 GMT

Students will learn how Americans joined the Allies to defeat Axis militarism and nationalist expansion. Sixteen million Americans donned uniforms in this section of the online exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War. The millions more who stayed home comprised a vast civilian army, mobilized by the government to support the war effort. The world-wide conflict that led to the emergence of the United States as an economic and military superpower is divided into sections that allow students to focus either on a specific aspect of the war, or the conflict as a whole. The sections included are titled: Axis Aggression, America Enters the War, Mobilizing for War, "You're in the Army Now", Battle of the Atlantic, The Mediterranean Theater, Storming Fortress Europe, The Pacific Theater; So Others Might Fight; Morale Boosters and Victory and Peace. A non-flash version of the site is available: World War II.

The Scott Family: Life on the WWII Homefront

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:42:25 GMT

Through the use of a description of the apartment, an excerpt from Mary Scott's diary, and artifact from the period, students will learn about life on the home front during World War II. The Scotts rented apartment on the first floor of an Ipswich, Massachusetts house became a home front battlefield during World War II. The Scotts are one of the families that lived in the Ipswich, Massachusetts house which is the focus of Within These Walls, an online exhibition.