World War II
Name:_________
Block: ______
Academic Research Portfolio
USII.7
Overview: What kind of project is this?
During the World War II unit, students will be researching and writing about
different parts/aspects of the war that they choose. Students will use words and
images to create a research portfolio on the three important parts/aspects of World
War II. Students will then use their portfolios to write an essay.

Inside and Outside of history class students will focus on gathering and
processing information and images from primary and secondary sources to
provide the “research” for the portfolio.
Read the following directions for your portfolio carefully.
Sources for Part 1, 2, 3, and 4: Where do I get my information?
Part
Part
Part
Part
1:
2:
3:
4:
1
1
1
2
Primary
Primary
Primary
Primary
Source (Picture) and 1 Secondary Source
Source (Picture) and 2 Secondary Sources
Source (Picture) and 2 Secondary Sources
Sources (Picture/Interview) and 2 Secondary Sources

Primary source A firsthand or eyewitness account or piece of evidence from
someone who actually lived through the historical event.
o Example: Pictures
o Example: Interviews
 http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/voices-of-wwii/video-search

Secondary source
o Example: Class notes and power point, Textbook and Safari Videos
o Example: Books or DATA BASE articles on WWII from the school library.
See Library Password Handout
Cite all Primary and Secondary sources in MLA format.
See “How to Cite my Sources” power point on your teacher’s website.
1
Part 1: Introduction
Due: See Due Date Sheet
Steps to follow:
Lead: Create a hook that grabs your reader's
attention.
Give an introduction to the war including basic details
(who, what, when, where, why?).
Include a thesis statement, or claim about WWII, that
introduces each of the topics that you will address in your
portfolio and essay.
Cite your writing and picture source in MLA format.
Include a picture that matches your writing.
☐
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe your picture.
I have completed this part of my portfolio.
2
(A) World War II Portfolio
IN YOUR OWN WORDS
Part 1: Introduction
Sentence 1: Overall Statement about the War
Sentence 2: When (dates-start/end)
Sentence 3: Where (locations)
Sentence 4: Who (sides)
Sentence 5: What about (Dictators)
Sentence 6:
Why fought (Dictators wanted)
Sentence 7: Thesis or Claim: What your entire Writing Project is ABOUT.
The three most important parts of World War II are ________________, __________________ and
(Portfolio part 2)
(Portfolio part 3)
______________________.
(Portfolio part 4)
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
Writing Source:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
NOW:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
TYPE 12 font
double space
add picture
2 sentence caption
cite your words using correct format
cite picture source using correct format
Do not use I
Print
save to flash drive and at home
4
Part 2: Rise of Totalitarianism
Due: See Due Date Sheet
Steps to follow:
Research the rise to power of one of the dictators
mentioned in the box below.
Cite your writing and picture source in MLA format.
Include a picture that matches your writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe your picture.
This part of your portfolio should tell the
story of why and how one of the
following dictators rose to power:
Hitler
Mussolini
Stalin
Tojo
☐
I have completed this part of my portfolio.
5
Part 2: Rise of Totalitarianism
Sentence #1 Intro: Overall sentence about your Dictator
Sentence #2
____________ rose to power because _______________________
(why? Think Great Depression)
Sentence #3
Explain Why (Evidence)
Sentence #4
Explain Why
Sentence #5
Explain Why
New Paragraph
Sentence #1 Intro Sentence for How Rose to Power
____________________ rose to power by using propaganda and fear.
(How? Steps he took)
Sentence #2
Explain How (Evidence)
Sentence #3
Explain How
Sentence #4
Explain How
Sentence #5
Explain How
Sentence #6
Conclusion/Summary Sentence about the Dictators Rise to Power
6
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
2 Writing Sources:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
NOW:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
TYPE 12 font
double space
add picture
2 sentence caption
cite your words using correct format
cite picture source using correct format
Do not use I
Print
save to flash drive and at home
7
Part 3: The United States at War Due: See Due Date Sheet
Choose A or B
A:
B:
United States
War
Become
on the
Involved
Home Front
Steps to follow:
Steps to follow:
Explain how the U.S. became involved
in WWII, including all of the subtopics
listed in the box below.
Explain how the war changed life in the
U.S., focusing on one of the subtopics
in the box below.
Cite your writing and picture source in
MLA format.
Cite your writing and picture source in
MLA format.
Include a picture that matches your
writing.
Include a picture that matches your
writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe
your picture.
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe
your picture.
Opinions that FDR and other Americans
had about how to react to the rise of
the dictators
1. How American civilians (not soldiers)
and families contributed to the war
effort p. 12
Acts (laws) of Congress that tried to
keep the U.S. out of the war
Acts of Congress that got the U.S.
more involved in the war before Pearl
Harbor
2. How FDR's administration treated
Japanese-Americans p. 13
The bombing of Pearl Harbor (including
causes and results of the attack)
☐
I have completed this part of my portfolio.
8
Part 3: The United States at War
A: U.S. becomes involved or B: How life Changes go to page 12
Sentence #1 Thesis/Claim
If you Picked A:
Sentence #1 There were four steps to U.S. involvement in World War II; neutrality, acts by
Congress, the Atlantic Charter and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Sentence #2 The first step America took towards war was to try to remain neutral by passing the
Neutrality Acts.
Sentence #3 Explain (Evidence)
Sentence #4 Conclusion/Summary
New Paragraph

Sentence 5-8 Write about: acts (laws) of Congress that tried to keep the U.S. out of the war
Sentence #5 Intro
The second step America took towards war by passing the Cash and Carry Act and the Lend Lease
Act.
Sentence #6 Explain (Evidence) Cash and Carry Act
Sentence #7 Explain Lend Lease Act
Sentence #8 Conclusion/Summary
New Paragraph
•
Sentence 9-12 Write about: got the U.S. more involved in the war before Pearl Harbor
Sentence #9 Intro
The third step America took towards war was signing the Atlantic Charter.
9
Sentence #10 Explain (Evidence)
Sentence #11 Explain
Sentence #12 Conclusion/Summary
New Paragraph
•
Sentence 13-17 Write about: the bombing of Pearl Harbor (including causes and results of the attack)
Sentence #13 Intro
The fourth and final step America took towards war was ______________________________
Sentence #14 Explain (Evidence)
Sentence #15 Explain
Sentence #16 Conclusion/Summary for Pearl Harbor
Sentence #17 Conclusion/Summary for all of Part 3
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
2 Writing Sources:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
NOW:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
TYPE 12 font
double space
add picture
2 sentence caption
cite your words using correct format
cite picture source using correct format
Do not use I
Print
save to flash drive and at home
11
If you Picked B: Home front
Select either #1 or #2
#1
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
World War II was a long and difficult war and Americans did three things at home to help win it;
women such as Rosie the Riveter worked in factories, ______________________
and ______________________.
Sentence #2 Explain (Evidence)
Sentence #3
Sentence #4
Sentence #5
Sentence #6
Sentence #7
Sentence #8
Sentence #9
Sentence #10 Conclusion/Summary for Home Front
12
Or #2
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
In order to protect themselves at home during World War II, the American government placed
Japanese Americans in Internment camps, they were horrible places to live.
Sentence #2 Explain how it happened. Franklin Roosevelt passed?
Sentence #3 Describe the camps, located where, how many.
Sentence #4 Describe what it was like to live there.
Sentence #5 Describe what it was like to live there.
Sentence #6 Describe what it was like to live there.
Sentence #7 How they ended
Sentence #8 Conclusion/Summary to Internment Camps
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
2 Writing Sources:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
NOW:
TYPE
12 font
double space
add picture
2 sentence caption
cite writing
cite picture source
Do not use I
Print
Save to flash
drive and at
home
14
Part 4: The War Due: See Due Date Sheet
Choose Subtopic A or B:
B:
A:
Legacy of WWII
Key Battles
Steps to follow:
Steps to follow:
Tell the story of one of the
important battles or campaigns of
WWII (from the box below).
Explain one of the events or aspects of
WWII that has greatly affected the
postwar world (choosing one of the
subtopics from the box below).
Cite your writing and picture
source in MLA format.
Cite your writing and picture source in
MLA format.
Include a picture that matches
your writing.
Include a picture that matches your
writing.
Write a 2 sentence caption to
describe your picture.
Write a 2 sentence caption to describe
your picture.
Be sure to describe the
participants and the battle itself,
as well as how the battle that
you chose affected the course or
outcome of the war.
1. The Holocaust
p. 18
1. Battle of Midway
2. Battle of Normandy (D-Day)
2. Hiroshima and Nagasaki (including
how the use of atomic weapons
related to the Cold War period that
followed WWII) p. 18
3. Battle of the Bulge
4. Battle of Iwo Jima
5. Battle of Okinawa
☐
I have completed this part of my portfolio.
15
Part 4: The War
Pick A: Battles
or
Pick B: Legacy, go to Page 18
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
World War II was won through important battles, the most important battle was ____________; it
___________________________, ____________________________ and
______________________.
Sentence #2 Explain (Evidence) Date
Sentence #3 Explain Fought by
Sentence #4 Explain Battle Details
Sentence #5 Explain Battle Details
Sentence #6 Explain Battle Details
Sentence #7 Explain Battle Details
Sentence #8 and #9 Why Important
Sentence #10 Conclusion/Summary for Important Battle
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
3 Writing Sources: (1 must be Primary)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
NOW:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
TYPE 12 font
double space
add picture
2 sentence caption
cite your words using correct format
cite picture source using correct format
Do not use I
Print
save to flash drive and at home
17
If you Picked B: Legacy
PICK HOLOCAUST
Or
HIROSHIMA and NAGASKI
Holocaust: (choice #1 for Legacy)
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
World War II was filled with violent and destructive acts; the most horrific event in the war was
the Holocaust.
Sentence #2 Explain what it was
Sentence #3 Describe it
Sentence #4 Describe it
Sentence #5 How it ended
Sentence #6 What should we learn from it
Sentence #7 Conclusion/Summary to the Holocaust
Hiroshima and Nagasaki (choice #2 for Legacy)
Sentence #1 Intro/Thesis/Claim
World War II was filled with violent and destructive acts; the most deadly event in the war was the
bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Sentence #2 Explain how and Why it happened.
Sentence #3 Describe Hiroshima
18
Sentence #4 Describe Hiroshima
Sentence #5 Describe Nagasaki
Sentence #6 Describe Nagasaki
Sentence #7 How did it lead to the Cold War
Sentence #8 Conclusion/Summary to Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Writing Source:
Visit-Bibme Citation Machine: http://www.bibme.org/ or Landmark’s Citation Machine: http://www.landmarkproject.com/citation_machine/index.php
3 Writing Sources: (1 must be Primary)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(indent 5) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture Source in proper format: “Title.” Photograph. From where. Date. Web address.
Picture Source:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Picture
2 Sentence Caption:
NOW:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
TYPE 12 font, double space
add picture
2 sentence caption
cite your words using correct format
cite picture source using correct format
Do not use I
Print , save to flash drive and at home
19
Part 5: Cover/Title Page
Due: See Due Date Sheet
Requirements:
Your portfolio should have an appropriate title.
The cover must include your pictures from parts 1,2, 3
and 4.
Title, Your name, Teacher, Block and Due Date
20
TYPED Portfolio Deadlines
Part of the Portfolio
12 font double space
Part 1 Create an introduction for your
portfolio.
Due Date
Each 4 pt
Daily Check
March 5th and 6th
Make sure you have a thesis that tells your
reader about all the parts of your portfolio.
MLA Source(s) Picture/Research
Electronically saved on flash drive
Part 2 Topic explained in my own words
March 11th and 12th
MLA Source(s) Picture/Research
Picture with 1-2 sentence caption
Electronically saved on flash drive
Part 3 Topic explained in my own words
March 13th and 14th
MLA Source(s) Picture/Research
Picture with 2 sentence caption
Electronically saved on flash drive
Part 4 Topic explained in my own words
March 21st and 24th
MLA Source(s) Picture/Research
Picture with 2 sentence caption
Electronically saved on flash drive
Part 5
Cover/Title Page
March 21st and 24th
Part 1, 2, 3, 4 Pictures
Electronically saved on flash drive
Portfolio Due
March 25th and 26th
Write Essay using Portfolio
21
Teacher Signature
World War II Research Portfolio Rubric
CATEGORY
Content
Quality of
Information
Organization
Mechanics
Work Cited
Grade
4
Covers topic indepth with details
and examples.
Subject knowledge
is excellent.
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic. It includes
several supporting
details and/or
examples.
Content is well
organized.
Only a few
misspellings or
minor grammatical
errors. Double
Spaced, 12 font
Source information
collected for all
graphics, facts and
quotes. All
documented in
desired format.
3
2
Includes
essential
knowledge
about the topic.
Subject
knowledge
appears to be
good.
Information
clearly relates to
the main topic.
It provides a few
supporting
details and/or
examples.
Content is
logically
organized for
the most part.
Several
misspellings
and/or
grammatical
errors, but not
seriously
distracting.
Source
information
collected for all
graphics, facts
and quotes.
Most
documented in
desired format.
100
85
22
0
Includes
essential
information
about the topic
but there are
several factual
errors.
Content is
minimal OR
there are many
factual errors.
No evidence
Information
clearly relates to
the main topic.
No details
and/or examples
are given.
Information has
little or nothing
to do with the
main topic.
No evidence
Overall
organization of
topics appears
flawed.
Several
seriously
distracting
misspellings
and/or
grammatical
errors.
Source
information
collected for
graphics, facts
and quotes, but
not documented
in desired
format.
75
Total Points = ____/100 Project
1
There was no
clear or logical
organizational
structure, just
lots of facts.
Frequent,
distracting
errors in spelling
or grammar.
Very little or no
source
information was
collected.
65
No evidence
No evidence
No evidence
0
23