World War II

Activity #1: Eyewitness to History—Interviewing people who lived during World War II

Materials Needed:

• Pencil
• Paper
• Tape recorder or video camera
• List of interview questions
• Oral History Guidelines
• Presentation Worksheet
• Interview Subject
• World War II – era photograph of the subject

Curriculum Objectives:

7th grade – Kansas History Standard, Benchmark 5, Indicator 5: The student explains how World War II acted as a catalyst for change in Kansas (e.g., women entering the workforce, increased mobility, changing manufacturing practices).

Instructions:

1. Contact a local veterans association or a retirement community to obtain a list of interview subjects. Students can also interview grandparents, neighbors or family friends - as long as they lived during World War II.
2. Review the Oral History guidelines with the students.
3. Work with students to draft a list of focused questions for interviewees. A list of sample questions has been provided.
4. Give the students one-two weeks to set up and conduct their interviews. One option is to invite the interview subjects to come to the school during the class period.
5. Using the data from their interview, have the students fill out the Presentation Worksheet.
6. Worksheets can be used as part of a classroom exhibit and presentation.
7. Additional Activity:
   Have the students host an “opening reception” for their in-class exhibit. Invite the Interview Subjects to view the exhibit, have the students give tours of the exhibit.
8. Additional Activity:
   Make the worksheets an online exhibit. Post the worksheets and the photographs to a gallery on your class website or on www.jocohistory.net.

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