Series: Wichita, KS, WWII Heritage City Lessons

This a series of lesson plans about the WWII home front, focused on Wichita, Kansas, as an American World War II Heritage City. The lessons contain photographs, readings, and primary sources, with optional extension activities. The lessons highlight specific contributions (such as aviation, manufacturing and civilian volunteerism). The lessons also connect to larger themes and understandings of the US home front during wartime.

• Article 1: A Series of Lessons on Wichita, KS, WWII Heritage City

  

  Three lessons and culminating fourth lesson support the development of understanding the significance of Wichita, Kansas, 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. WWII home front. Read more

• Article 2: (H)our History Lesson: Aviation Production in Wichita, KS, WWII Heritage City

  

  This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Wichita, Kansas, an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains readings and photos to contribute to learners’ understandings about Wichita’s contributions to aviation wartime production. The lesson contains a reading to learn about the milestones of production of the B-29 Superfortress, and two readings to consider the importance of the role of women in the local industries. Read more

• Article 3: (H)our History Lesson: Defense Manufacturing in Wichita, Kansas, World War II Heritage City

  

  This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Wichita, Kansas designated as an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains three primary reading sources and photos to contribute to learners’ understandings on defense manufacturing with examples from Wichita, Kansas: the Coleman Lamp and Stove Company and Langdon Tent and Awning Company. Women were also employed at both companies as defense workers. Read more

• Article 4: (H)our History Lesson: Home Front Volunteerism and Contributions in Wichita, Kansas, World War II Heritage City

  

  This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Wichita, Kansas designated as an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains primary source readings and photographs to contribute to learners’ understandings of how civilians volunteered and contributed to home front war efforts. Efforts included volunteering service for service members, cadet enlistment programs, and war bond events and campaigns. Read more

• Article 5: (H)our History Lesson: Wichita, Kansas: Comparing and Connecting WWII Home Front cities

  

  This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front with Wichita, Kansas, an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson has photographs, readings, optional media, and a culminating mastery project. The culminating project contributes to learners’ understandings of the city as a WWII Heritage City, with the opportunity to combine lesson themes from the 3 other lessons in the Wichita collection. This is to summarize the city’s contribution in WWII. Read more