A Series of Lessons on Wichita, KS, WWII Heritage City

A series of Teaching with Historic Places lessons from the World War II Heritage Cities Lesson Collection

B-29 Superfortresses at Boeing Plant in Wichita in 1945; “Wartime production display of B-29 Superfortresses at Boeing plant in Wichita. View looking west toward main administration building, 3801 South Oliver Street.”

Courtesy of Wichita State University Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives; Richard M. Long Collection, wsu_ms96-4.2.29.1

Introduction

The three lessons, and culminating fourth lesson, support the development of understanding the significance of Wichita, Kansas designated as an American World War II Heritage City. Highlights include contributions to the wartime industry and workforce, such as the mass production of aircraft, defense manufacturing, and volunteerism and contributions made by many civilians. The lessons highlight specific contributions but connect to larger themes and understandings of the U.S. home front during wartime.

The standards listed beneath the lesson links are a collection of standards covered in the lesson collection. Objectives for each lesson, materials, and resources are listed within the lesson.

The first three lessons listed can be taught individually or collectively, in any order. The final lesson is to support students in combining learning across the three lessons, and/or comparison to other World War II home front cities in a culminating activity.

Lessons (with World War II home front topics):

Aviation Production in Wichita, Kansas, World War II Heritage City

• War manufacturing, women in industry, home front workforce, aviation, B-29 Superfortress, Kaydet trainer, Boeing, Beech, Cessna

Defense Manufacturing in Wichita, Kansas, World War II Heritage City

• Home front workforce, Coleman Lamp and Stove Company, Langdon Tent and Awning Company, women in industry

Home Front Volunteerism and Contributions in Wichita, Kansas, World War II Heritage City

• War bonds, Victory campaigns, community service, women in volunteerism, cadet enlistment

Wichita, Kansas: Comparing and Connecting WWII Home Front cities

Positioning these Lessons in the Curriculum:

Time period: World War II 

Topics: World War II, women’s history, workforce migration, science and technology 

Curriculum Standards

United States History Standards for Grades 5-12 

This lesson relates to the following National Standards for History from the UCLA National Center for History in the Schools: 

Era 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945) 

Standard 3: The causes and course of World War II, the character of the war at home and abroad, and its reshaping of the U.S. role in world affairs 

Curriculum Standards for Social Studies 

This lesson relates to the following Curriculum Standards themes for Social Studies from the National Council for the Social Studies: 

Theme 2: Time, Continuity, and Change 

Theme 5: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions  

Theme 8: Science, Technology, and Society 

Theme 9: Global Connections 

Relevant Common Core Standards  

These lessons relates to the following Common Core English and Language Arts Standards for History and Social Studies for middle and high school students: 

Key Ideas and Details 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-12.1 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY. RH. 6-12.2 

Craft and Structure 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-12.4 

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-12.7 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-12.9 

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH. 6-12.10 

Part of a series of articles titled Wichita, Kansas World War II Heritage City (link).

The lesson series was written by Sarah Nestor Lane, an educator and consultant with the Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education, funded by the National Council on Public History's cooperative agreement with the National Park Service.