Social Studies — Grade 8

World War II dead and missing from North Carolina

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 9.7

More than 8,500 North Carolinians who served in World War II did not return. The National Archives has made available the complete lists of war casualties published in 1946.

Format: article

When World War II was fought off North Carolina's beaches

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 7.6

In 1942, German U-boats -- submarines -- prowled the waters off North Carolina, where they sank merchant ships carrying supplies to the Allies in Europe.

Format: article

By Kevin P. Duffus.

Wartime Wilmington

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 7.7

Oral history interview with a native of Wilmington and World War II veteran, describing the transformation of his home town during World War II. Includes historical commentary.

Format: interview/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

The USS North Carolina

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.4

Story of the USS North Carolina and its participation in World War II.

Format: article

The United States in World War II

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.1

Article summarizes U.S. involvement in World War II from 1945 to 1945.

Format: article

Timeline of World War II: 1942–1945

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.2

Timeline of World War II after U.S. entry into the war, divided by European theater, Pacific theater, and home front.

Format: timeline

Timeline of World War II, 1931–1941

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 4.2

Timeline of global events leading up to World War II and in the first two years of the conflict in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Format: timeline

Surviving the Blitz

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 6.8

Oral history interview with a U.S. soldier who experienced the German bombing of England during World War II. Includes historical commentary.

Format: interview/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Serving in the Pacific

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 6.10

Oral history interview with a North Carolina veteran of World War II about her experiences serving in non-combat roles in the Pacific Theater. Includes historical commentary.

Format: interview/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Serving in the Air Force

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 6.9

Oral history interview with a North Carolina veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force about his experiences in the European Theater of World War II. Includes historical commentary.

Format: interview/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Prisoners of war in North Carolina

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 7.8

Oral history interview with a woman who grew up in North Carolina during World War II. German prisoners of war were held in her community and sent to work on nearby farms. Includes historical background.

Format: interview/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Pearl Harbor

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 4.3

In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 2.11

Explanation of the Japanese attack on U.S. naval forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. Page includes audio, video, maps, and photographs.

Format: article

Midway

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.5

In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 8.6

In the Battle of Midway, fought near Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean in June 1942, the U.S. Navy stopped the Japanese advance across the Pacific. Includes John Ford's documentary featuring live footage of the battle.

Format: article

Liberating France

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.8

In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 4.8

Maps, photographs, and contemporary magazine articles explore the Allied liberation of German-occupied Paris in 1944.

Format: exhibit

Landing in Europe

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.7

Oral history interviews with veterans of World War II who participated in the D-Day landings in France in 1944. Includes historical commentary.

Format: interview/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Iwo Jima

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.10

A contemporary radio broadcast and maps help tell the story of this epic battle between American and Japanese forces in the Pacific in 1945.

Format: exhibit

"A date which will live in infamy"

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 4.4

Speech by President Franklin Roosevelt asking Congress for a declaration of war on Japan, December 8, 1941. Includes audio, transcript, and historical commentary.

Format: speech/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by David Walbert.

D-Day

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.6

In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 9.8

Article about the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in 1944 includes audio, maps, photographs, and documents.

Format: exhibit

The coming of war

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 4.1

Overview of the events leading up to the United States' involvement in World War II. Includes an excerpt from a film produced by the U.S. Government to convince Americans of the need to fight.

Format: article

The Battle of the Bulge

In The Great Depression and World War II, page 5.9

In North Carolina History: A Sampler, page 8.7

Oral history interview with a North Carolina World War II veteran about his experiences in the Battle of the Bulge, fought in France between December 1944 and January 1945. Includes historical background and contemporary newsreel footage.

Format: interview/primary source

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Stories from the Holocaust

This lesson is designed to supplement a study of World War II. Students will read first hand accounts of individuals who escaped Nazi persecution and eventually settled in Asheville, North Carolina. This lesson may be used as an 8th grade Social Studies or English project(It could also be used as an integrated project), 10th grade English, or 11th grade US History. This lesson uses the NCEcho portal to access the material.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–10 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Billie Clemens.

Differences across the curriculum: Part 1

Part of a set of lessons offering an integrated approach to exploring diversity with eighth graders, this lesson serves as a pre-reading activity for the drama version of "The Diary of Anne Frank." Students will learn how diversity creates bias which leads to conflict, where students confront their bias and practice tolerance.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Lynn Carter.

Resources on the web

Getting involved in war

Students consider the reasons Japan decided to attack Pearl Harbor. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

Provided by: National Geographic