Grade 10 Unit 3 US and World War I

West Haven Public Schools

Unit Planning Organizer

Subject:  U.S. History                              

Grade:  10

Unit:  U.S. and World War I                  

Pacing:  Three weeks

Essential Questions:

  1. How neutral was America at the start of the war?
  2.  What was the impact of WWI on the home-front economically, politically and socially?
  3.  Did America and its Allies, through the Treaty of Versailles, make the world safe for democracy?

Big Ideas:

  1. Certain factors such as world events, propaganda and political views led America to favor the Allies.
  2. Society in the US changed greatly as a result of our involvement in the war.
  3. The Treaty of Versailles was a policy that did not reflect all of US goals in the Post War era.

CT State Standards


1.3.4:  Explain examples of conflict and cooperation in world affairs.

1.1.6:  Compare and contrast various American beliefs, values and political ideologies.

1.1.3:  Trace the changing role of American participation and influence in world affairs.


1.1.2:  Trace the evolving nature of citizen’s rights.

1.1.4:  Explain the changing nature of the American economy.

1.1.7:  Analyze the influence of nationalism on American society.

1.1.9:  Assess the significance of the evolving heterogeneity of American society.

1.1.10:  Analyze the impact of technology and scientific discovery on American society.

1.1.12:  Evaluate the role and impact of the individual on historical events.

1.3.3:  Explain the causes and impact of imperialism.

1.3.5:  Compare and Contrast political systems across historical time periods.

1.3.9:  Analyze the impact of nationalism on the world.

1.3.12:  Evaluate the impact of major belief systems on societies and nations.

1.4.2:  Use maps, charts and graphs to analyze how geographic location and resources influenced historical and contemporary imperialism.

1.4.3:  Analyze how geographic location and physical features have influenced national histories.

1.6.4:  Analyze man-made factors that cause human movement.

1.7.1:  Compare and contrast how different national governments throughout the world attempt to meet the needs of their citizens.

1.9.3:  Analyze historical and contemporary examples of the need to ensure human rights at both the national and international levels.

1.11.2:  Analyze how government activity can influence an individual’s economic decisions.

1.11.3:  Analyze how government policies can influence how people and businesses use resources.

1.12.3:  Analyze ways in which governments and international organizations can promote or inhibit economic development.


Concepts(Need to Know)

Skills(Able to Do)


-Conflict and cooperation in world affairs

       *Pre-war alliances

       *start of the war, Alliance system

       *course of the war

       *Treaty of Versailles

       *League of Nations


-American beliefs, values and political ideologies


      *Preparedness Movement

      *Propaganda, impact of in U.S.

      *government measures


-Changing role of American participation and influence in world affairs

       *Neutrality to War partner

       *impact U.S. had on war

       *Treaty and League of Nations










-Compare and Contrast
























Common Formative Pre-Assessment :

-15 question, open ended questions




-In class individual and small group work


-Q and A

-Closure Activities


Common Formative Post- Assessment:



Instructional Planning

Suggested Resources/Materials:


Primary/Secondary Sources

Map Activity

Graphic Organizer


Power Point/Smartboard


Student Created Posters


Suggested Research-based Effective Instructional Strategies:

Simulation Activities, The Century (WWI Video), Timeline of WWI, Homefront Journal Entries, Create a PPT, Dangers of Alliance Activity


Vocabulary/Word Wall


Interdisciplinary Connections

Neutrality, submarine warfare, Lusitania, Sussex Pledge, Allied Powers, Central Powers, propaganda, Zimmermann Telegram, Russian Revolution, Espionage Act, Sedition Act, Selective Service Act, Bolsheviks, American Expeditionary Force, 14 Points, Treaty of Versailles, Big 4, League of Nations

-U.S. History Skillbook, Chap. 10, America and the World


   *Essay Skill 2, p. 141

   *Document Skill, p. 144-145

-BER Handbook (p. 122) World War I Jeopardy

-Nystrom Atlas of U.S. History  (p. 76-77)

-Crossword 29, Woodrow Wilson


   * “Not So Quiet”, Helen Smith

   *War Poetry of Wilfred Owen, and Siegfried Sassoon

-Math:  Create charts/graphs highlighting numbers enlisted, killed, MIA; money spent by nations in the war, causes of death in WWI


   *Use scientific inquiry to evaluate role of technological advances from the Civil War to WWI.

   *Research Influenza outbreak of 1919