This is one of the units listed as 'challenging' for grades 6-8. The books required to complete this unit are: V Is For Victory by Sylvia Whitman, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, and Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr. The whole language approach used in this unit study enables children of all learning styles to study World War II. Included in the study are daily writing activities in the areas of language arts, social studies, and life skills. Language arts covers World War II vocabulary, headline news, Haiku happenings, and historical fiction. Social Studies includes a time line of world events, heroes from the home front and a changing Germany. Life skills brings to light the sadness of the Japanese Relocation. In math and science, students will learn how it feels to do without and use rationing coupons during the war. They will also research the Manhattan Project and the A-Bomb. The unit culminates with a celebration of the Spirit of America and with writing a class book called 'The Long Road to Peace.'
