Teacher Resources
This module uses excerpts from four presidential speeches delivered during World War ll as a means to instruct students about finding the central idea and supporting evidence in primary source documents. This self-paced module is aligned to Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for Literacy in Social Studies/ History Frameworks.
This module contains several interactive features. Watch the Learn How to Use this Module tutorial to familiarize yourself with these features.
Module Information
- Grade Band: 9 - 10
- Readability Level: 1190 - 1290
- Focus Standard: RH.9-10.1-2 (Evidence and Central Idea)
- Topic: American History 1877-Present
- Completion Time: 10 – 20 minutes
- Vocabulary: Visit the Glossary page or click on words highlighted within the module for a narrated definition
Student Resources for this Module
The documents students will read include excerpts from the following:
- President Franklin Roosevelt’s “Annual Message to Congress (Four Freedoms),”1941
- President Franklin Roosevelt’s Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War Against Japan, (A Day that will Live in Infamy) 1941
- President Harry Truman “ Announcing the Surrender of Germany” 1945
- President Harry Truman radio address informing the American public that an atomic weapon has been dropped on Japan, August, 1945
In this module, students are provided with links to external websites. The sites have been chosen for their content and grade-level appropriateness. Efforts are made to minimize linking to websites that contain advertisements or comments, but some of these websites may contain these features. Teachers should preview all websites before introducing the activities to students and adhere to their school system's policy for Internet use. In addition, multimedia on these externally linked sites may not be accessible to all users, such as those individuals requiring a screen reader or using a tablet.
The following websites are linked to from this module:
National Geographic, Remembering Pearl Harbor — WWII Timeline Opens a new window
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, Press Release, August 6, 1945 Opens a new window
Using This Site
This lesson is built for use on classroom computers and tablets. If you have access to a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or an interactive whiteboard in your classroom, you may complete the lesson in your classroom. Otherwise, you will need to schedule time to use your school's computer lab. For technical specifications, see below.
Some activities on this site may include videos and narration, so you may want to have headphones available for students working at individual stations. For best results in viewing the videos and interactives, you should have a high-speed, stable Internet connection.
Technology
This site is an Internet-based activity, and it was built to run on the following computer operating systems and browsers:
- Windows 7 or Newer: IE 8, 9, 10, 11; Current version of Chrome; Current version of Firefox
- Mac OS 10.7 or Newer: Current version of Safari
- iPad2/iOS6 or Newer: Current version of Safari
- Android 4.0 or Newer: Current version of Android browser
- Chromebook: Current version of Chrome
Users running Internet Explorer 8 will not be able to use the highlighter tool. Instead, teachers should consider partnering students for a brief discussion.
Visit the Accessibility page for detailed information on the site's accessibility features.
