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Rationing in World War II

Title

Lesson Plan: Rationing in World War II - Making sure everyone had enough

Subject

Rationing -- United States.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Propaganda.

Standards

TEKS: 17A - Describe the economic effects of World War II on the home front such as... rationing.

Objectives

TLW analyze the role rationing had during World War II on both a local and national scale.

Materials

Materials: Included in this trunk/lesson are:
- Primary Source Analysis - Ration books
- Primary and secondary sources
- Rationing chart for the lesson

Lesson Plan

Focus Activity: Primary Source Analysis, students study the rationing books and try to figure out who they belonged to? How the ration books work? What the notations on the books mean?
Lesson: Lesson: Assign students the Rationing Chart. With this Rationing Chart, students will record one day usage of all items identified as rationed during the war years and used by students that day. After completing the Rationing Chart, students will analyze how rationing would affect their diet, travel and possessions.

Students will use the primary and secondary sources found in the Rationing folder to identify the role rationing had during World War II and its economic impact on the home front and war front by answering the following questions –
a) What is rationing?
b) Why was rationing utilized during World War II?
c) How did rationing impact civilians on the home front?
d) How did rationing impact soldiers on the war front?
e) Was rationing a successful program during the war years?
Processing:  
Option 1) Students create a Venn diagram comparing the rationing program of World War II in the United States with current recycling/Green programs in the United States and how they are similar and different in economic, social and political impacts.

Option 2) Students create a week long journal of what they would and would not have access to on a day to day basis if utilizing World War II rationing guidelines. After completing a week of journaling, students create a poster that illustrates the economic, social and political benefits of rationing.