Vietnam War Unit Plan

VIETNAM WAR – A SEASON OF CHANGE

The Vietnam War was a bloody conflict which had tremendous ramifications on the U.S. both politically and culturally. This conflict

changed American’s views on their own government and set in motion an entire movement dedicated to freedom, peace, and love.

By Jeff Murphy

Vietnam War unit plan

11th Grade Social Studies Two week unit plan Develop critical thinking skills, computer

skills and collaborative skills Learning Modalities – aural, read/write,

visual and kinesthetic

West Virginia CSOs SS.O.11.1.1 - demonstrate ways citizens can work cooperatively to resolve

personal, local, regional, and world conflicts peacefully. SS.O.11.1.2 - analyze and evaluate the influence of citizen action on public

policy and law making. SS.O.11.1.8 - explain the concept of civil disobedience, provide examples and

evaluate its use. SS.O.11.4.1 - interpret and transform primary data and various forms of

information into maps, graphs, charts, cartoons and timelines. SS.O.11.4.10 - explain how language, art, music and other cultural elements can

facilitate global understanding. SS.O.11.5.4 - analyze and explain the political, social and economic causes and

consequences of American involvement in these major conflicts and challenges of the 20th and 21st centuries: Vietnam.

SS.O.11.5.17 - evaluate, take and defend positions on foreign policy issues in light of American national interests, values and principles.

SS.O.11.5.20 - develop skills in discussion, debate and persuasive writing by evaluating different assessments of the causes, costs and benefits of major events in the twentieth century.

Selected Materials

Smart Board Computers with internet access Pens/pencils Paper/Notebooks Bulletin Board Handout (3) Maps Microsoft Photostory 3 Vietnam Powerpoint presentations DVDs – Platoon and Apocalypse Now Access to the computer lab

WebsitesWebsites to be used during lesson: www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/modules/vietnam/index.cfm - This website

offers students timelines, photographs and background information on the Vietnam War.

www.pbs.org/battlefieldvietnam/ - This website is the primary resource for the students during our study of Vietnam. The site offers students timelines, pictures, war accounts and a breakdown of important people, places and events.

www.vietnampix.com - This website is designed to give students an accurate view of the Vietnam Conflict through the use of pictures. Students will use the pictures to help in building their digital story. The instructor will use the pictures during the concluding journal entry in order to help students to focus their opinions of the Vietnam War.

www.archives.gov/education/lessons/vietnam-photos - This website is to be used by the instructor to help prepare lessons and activities for the unit.

Week 1

Day1 Introduction of unit plan Vietnam terms handout Powerpoint presentation

on causes of war, Domino theory and French-Indochina

Digital story – choose song

Week 1 (continued)

Day 2 Powerpoint presentation on

American involvement in war Webquest handout and

assignment Discussion of Apocalypse

Now clip Exit slip question

Week 1 (continued)

Day 3 Powerpoint presentation on effects and outcome of war View and discuss Platoon clip Short quiz

Day 4 Work in digital story in computer lab Students draw lots for presentation date and time

Day 5 Powerpoint presentation on social changes during war Exit slip question Additional time spent on webquest assignment

Week 2

Day 6 Webquest assignment due Powerpoint presentation and discussion on

protests, peace movement and civil disobedience Four Corners exercise

Day 7 – 8 Digital story presentations

Week 2 (continued)

Day 9 Vietnam War- Your

Opinion Matters handout and assignment

Review for test

Day 10 Unit exam – M/C, T/F and

short essay