Is Propaganda Good or Bad for Society?
This unit engages students in essential critical literacy skills. Students will learn what defines something as propaganda, that propaganda can be used for positive and negative purposes. Students will explore the specific types of propaganda and then apply that knowledge while analyzing primary source examples of propaganda from the past. Students will demonstrate mastery of their knowledge of propaganda and critical literacy skills by creating a public service announcement related to propaganda awareness.
Author: David Swan. Cheboygan Public Schools, Vena Karana, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
Who is most culpable for creating segregated communities in Post-War America?
Students will study how both Dejure and Defacto policies during post-WWII led to housing discrimination and segregation. Parts of the unit could be used in connection with 1940’s Domestic War Production on the Homefront, Post-WWII Domestic Life, or with the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement.
Author: Karolyn Coffey, Plymouth Canton Community Schools
American Dream: Whose Dream?
Students will use this mini unit as a reflection over the content with the lens of “the American Dream—who achieves and who is left out?” This assignment collection/unit could also be adapted and used as an intro to the post-war era having students research and categorize the included vocab as “defending the Dream” or “denying the Dream”. Students could work in teams or groups and each take a unit/time period and conduct research on the provided terms and then share back with their team before beginning this outlined unit/lesson collection.
Author: Erika Sponsler, Western School District
