America and World War II ‖ Allies & Axis
Goals & Objectives
Students will be able to identify and locate Allied and Axis powers on a map. Discuss key
strategic decisions and turning points during the war, and war conferences and resolutions.
In addition, students will identify theaters of conflict and show an understanding of the
importance geographic factors had on the war.
California State Content Standards
10.8.3 Identify and locate the Allied and Axis powers on a map and discuss the major turning
points of the war, the principal theaters of conflict, key strategic decisions, and the resulting
war conferences and political resolutions, with emphasis on the importance of geographic
factors.
Common Core Literacy Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.3. Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text;
determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used
in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social
science.
Driving Historical Question
How did geographic factors influence the movement of Allied & Axis powers of WWII,
battle decisions, and the final outcome of the war?
Lesson Introduction (Anticipatory Set/Hook/Accessing Prior Knowledge) ‖ Time: 10
Students will first be asked to participate in a Think-Pair-Share about what they remember
about the Central and Allied powers of World War I. This is an important knowledge base
for students to build off of and understand the groupings of powers during World War II.
After about two minutes, students will be pulled together in a group discussion so that
information can be shared as a class. Important points will be written on the white board
for students to take down notes.
Vocabulary (Content Language Development) ‖ Time: During Lecture
Vocabulary will be introduced and built upon throughout the lesson and unit. I will utilize
visuals and definitions to emphasize the meaning of each new word or phrase. Vocabulary
for this lesson includes:
Allied Powers
Axis Powers
The Western Front
The Eastern Front
The Pacific Theater
Content Delivery (Method of Instruction) ‖ Time: 35
I will deliver a lecture presentation on the Allied and Axis powers of World War II,
important decisions and events, war conferences and their outcomes, and geography of the
major theaters of the war effort. Throughout the lesson students will be shown maps
highlighting the different areas discussed, pictures of the nation powers, along with
discussion of key vocabulary and critical thinking questions.
Student Engagement (Critical Thinking & Student Activities) ‖ Time: During lecture
Throughout the lesson, students will be participating by following along with the lecture
and completing a set of guided notes that have blank spaces for them to fill in as the lesson
proceeds.
Lesson Closure ‖ Time: 15
Students will answer the essential historical questions posed at the beginning of the lesson
as a way to wrap up the content learned and verify students have met the day’s objectives.
Assessments (Formative & Summative)
Formative assessments for this lesson will include all class discussions based on questions
posed in the lecture as well as completed guided notes.
Summative assessment for this lesson will be based on written responses to both the
questions posed in the lesson and the essential historical questions at the begging of the
lesson.
 How did these decisions and events signal turning points in the war? List at least
two reasons for each of the points listed.
 What issues may have arisen from these war conferences? Identify issues for at least
two of the conferences.
 How might the geography in each theater of war (the Western front, the Eastern
front, & the Pacific theater) pose problems for the Allied or Axis powers? List at least
one problem that geography provided in each of these areas.
 Who are the Allied & Axis powers? On the blank map provided, color in the Allied
powers discussed in the lesson with one color and the Axis powers with another
color. With a pen or pencil, carefully label these countries.
 What role did geography play during WWII? Did geography have an effect on the
any part of war?
Accommodations for English Learners, Striving Readers and Students with Special Needs
Accommodations will be provided for these students through the guided notes, which
allow students to follow along with the lesson both audibly and visually. Visuals are
utilized throughout the presentation to connect meaning with words and phrases. The
guided notes are also simplified forms of the lesson content and have images included to
provide understanding.
Resources (Books, Websites, Handouts, Materials)
The American Vision – Colonies to Modern Era
Guided Notes
Lecture Presentation