Teachers.netGreat World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself
From spy maps and victory banners to spotter planes and ration cakes, Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself brings one of the most defining periods of American and world history to life through hands-on building projects and activities. Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project combine with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and trivia about the real-life models. Together they give kids a first-hand look at daily life at home and on the front lines during America's war years.
Kiki Magazine February 2010 ...Brings history to life, giving you a glimpse of what it was like to live during WWII through projects and stories about real people.
"an excellent resource…" —School Library Media Activities Monthly, May 2007 (
"You get a feel for what it would have been like during the war… this is a great source."
—The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, November 2006
"A great way to offer kids and adults a hands-on way to experience the history and innovations that were sparked by the Second World War." —Arline Zatz, freelance writer
"Includes great hands-on activities…is full of information about World War II from the front lines to the home front." —Cobblestone, April 2007
"In straightforward, highly readable prose, it provides a thorough overview of the events…" —Children's Literature
"A unique, educational book." —Travel World International
"Makes history come alive right at your kitchen table or at your child's desk! A Particular treat for young history buffs, homeschoolers, or teachers looking for a WWII resource full of innovative, hands-on ideas." —Paula Spencer, Woman's Day Magazine's "Momfidence!" columnist and Parenting Magazine contributing editor
"Both my 13 year old and 9 year old were lucky enough to get a copy of this great book. They were struck by the differences between life during WWII and the current war in Iraq. Since the book is very age appropriate the material is presented in a way that sparked conversations between us about the war. The crafts are fun too! I would highly recommend this book to all moms who want a summer activity for their kids that will not only engage them but give them a jump start for history class in the fall!" —ItsGoodToBeTheQueen.com, Where Moms of Boys Reign!
a wonderful book that young people can learn from and have fun at the same time. The hands-on projects will stimulate their imaginations and add to their understanding of the sacrifices and inventiveness of that generation. It will make a valuable addition to any educator's toolkit." —Richard Koone, National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, Texas
"Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself is an interactive approach to history that children (and adults) will enjoy. The service, sacrifice, and struggles of World War II are explained and explored with each creative project. This book provides a wonderful way to ‘do’ history together." —Jay P. Tennies, Director, Eldred World War II Museum and Learning Center
" ...history and fun rolled into one kid-friendly book. Children will learn about escape maps hidden in playing cards, war-time music and lingo, and how to make silly putty—all while getting a solid understanding of life during World War II. It’s ‘killer-diller’—good stuff." —Jen Singer, author, 14 Hours ‘Til Bedtime
BOOKS
Aaseng, Nathan. Navajo Code Talkers. New York: Walker Publishing Company, Inc.,1992.
Baker, Patricia. Fashions of a Decade: The 1940s. New York: Facts on File, 1992.
Cooper, Michael L. Fighting for Honor: Japanese Americans and World War II. New York: Clarion Books, 2000.
Frank, Anne. The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Hayes, Joanne Lamb. Grandma’s Wartime Kitchen: World War II and the Way We Cooked. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2000.
King, David C. World War II Days: Discover the Past with Exciting Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.
Kuhn, Betsy. Angels of Mercy: the Army Nurses of World War II. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1999.
Lawton, Clive A. Hiroshima: The Story of the First Atom Bomb. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2002.
Lingeman, Richard. Don’t You Know There’s a War On? The American Home Front, 1941–1945, updated edition. New York: Nation Books, 2003.
Morin, Isobel V. Days of Judgment: The World War II War Crimes Trials. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press, 1992.
Panchyk, Richard. World War II for Kids. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2002.
UNIVERSITY AND GOVERNMENT SITES
National Museum of the United States Air Force—http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/index.htm
National Museum of the United States Army—http://www.armyhistory.org/index.aspx
National WWII Memorial—http://www.wwiimemorial.com
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum—http://www.ushmm.org/museum
Plan to plant the seeds for your victory garden about six weeks before the last frost in your area.
