World War II Unit Study

Cowboy has been asking to learn about World War II. I have to admit I have been very reluctant. How does one even start to approach this topic with a 7 year old? I spent weeks wondering about this. I had tried a few different methods but not with any passion on my part. I did not want to downplay any part of the war and the devastation but I did not feel my 7 year old was ready and able to understand and handle it.

I finally found a solution, historical fiction. I went on the hunt for books from different perspectives, I tried to get picture and audio books about children so that Cowboy could relate. I want stories about life before the war, during the war and after the war. I want the stories to be through the eyes of people from all over the world.

Book list:

-The Bicycle Man by Allen Say

-World War II: an interactive history adventure by Elizabeth, Raum

-A Picture Book of Anne Frank  by David A. Adler

-Number the Stars [sound recording] by Lois Lowry

-The Yellow Star: the legend of King Christian X of Denmark by Carmen Agra Deedy

-The Ring and the Window Seat by Amy, Hest

-You Wouldn't Want to be a World War II Pilot! : Air Battles You Might Not Survive by Graham

-Snow Treasure [sound recording] by Marie McSwigan

-World War II. The Eastern Front, 1941-1945 by Robert John O'Neill

-World War II (DK Eyewitness Books)
-The Battle of the Bulge: turning back Hitler's final push by Bill Cain
-The attack on Pearl Harbor: an interactive history adventure by Allison Lassieur

-Code talker [sound recording]: a novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac
-The battle of Iwo Jima: guerilla warfare in the Pacific  by Larry Hama
-D-Day: the liberation of Europe begins by Doug Murray
-Across the blue Pacific: a World War II story by Louise Borden

Web Resources:

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/worldwarii.htm (I read some of this to Cowboy, I do not recommend this for younger children)

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/worldwarii/preview.weml

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/worldhistory/worldwariicauses/preview.weml

Field Trips:

Truman Home

Truman Library