In the Company of Heroes
101st Airborne Screaming Eagles
506th Parachute Infantry Division
World War II lesson Plans: The Legendary Band of Brothers
Level: High School
Introduction
These lesson plans lasting two days accompanies the video, In the Company of Heroes, and
follows Easy Company from their landings on D Day to their taking of Hitler’s Eagles Nest in
Berchtesgaden. We watch as our troops attack Hitler’s Fortress Europe and listen to our veterans who
experienced the war recall their march to a long hard earned victory.
Learning Objectives
After completing these lesson plans, the students will:
1. Describe major battles in the European Theater.
2. Obtain a deeper understanding of life as a soldier at the front.
3. Hear eyewitness accounts by our veterans.
4. Using one of the battles, Carentan, Operation Market Garden, or Bastogne, write a news
article describing the battle.
5. Write an essay from the point of view of their officer describing one of the battles and the
experiences of our veterans.
Time Required: 2 days
Recommended Grade Level: High School
Materials: Video: In the Company of Heroes: The Legendary Band of Brothers
Day 1
Aim:
1. Using map, set scene for the invasion of D Day, June 6, 1944, the Allied invasion of
Normandy, France.
2. List advantages and disadvantages German troops have on Normandy beaches; list
advantages and disadvantages Allied troops have.
3. Examine details of landings.
Procedure:
The students will:
1. Using map, brainstorm or review Allied strategy to beat Hitler.
2. Using K-W-L chart, brainstorm background on D Day.
3. Divide students into groups and have some groups list advantages and disadvantages of
German troops and the other groups do the same for Allied troops on D Day.
3. Research from text details of landings. [Option: If you have time, show first 20 minutes of
Saving Private Ryan.]
Day 2
Aim:
1. Discuss role of Paratroops in landings.
2. Introduce Easy Company from 101st Airborne, 506th Parachute Infantry Division.
3. Describe to students how they will be assessed after watching video.
4. Show video, In the Company of Heroes, Band of Brothers.
Procedure:
1. Define role of paratrooper using map of D Day.
2. Describe Easy Company.
Formed in January,1942, Easy trained in Georgia. It became the first parachute infantry
regiment to complete basic training. It consisted of 132 enlisted men and 8 officers. This was
divided into 3 platoons and 1 headquarters section. Each platoon was subdivided into three 12
men rifle squads and 1 six-men mortar team. Easy landed in England in September, 1943 and
continued intensive training for the landings on D Day.
3. Describe Assessment: Type 2 page essay on the experiences of our veterans as they
advanced towards Germany from the point of view that you are their officer sending them into
one of these battles: Carentan, Operation Market Garden, and Bastogne[ Battle of the Bulge].
4. Introduce and watch video, Band of Brothers.
The video follows Easy Company from its first drop behind enemy lines to its final
destination, Hitler’s Eagles Nest in Berchtesgaden. The three major battles that they participated in
were Carentan, Operation Market Garden, and Bastogne[ Battle of the Bulge]. Often caught in
horrific circumstances, they battled through. The great advantage of this journey for the
students is that they can listen to the commentaries of our veterans as they tell their personal
stories or views on the different operations.
Assessment
Type 2 page essay on the experiences of our veterans as they advanced towards Germany from
the point of view that you are their officer sending them into one of these battles: Carentan,
Operation Market Garden, and Bastogne [Battle of the Bulge].
Pennsylvania Standards
Social Studies
8.1.12.A,B,C,D; 8.3.12.B
Read, Writing, and Listening
1.1.11.A, D; 1.2.11.A,B; 1.4.11.B; 1.5.11.A,B,C 1.6.11.F
National Standards
History
7-12
Describe military experiences and explain how they fostered American identity and
interactions among people of diverse backgrounds. [Utilize literary sources including
oral testimony]
English Language Arts
7. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by
posing problems. They gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g.,
print and non-print texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit
their purpose and audience.
8. Students use a variety of technological and informational resources (e.g., libraries, databases,
computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and
communicate knowledge.