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Summary and Objective
Students will understand that life during the war affected all fronts. They will learn that country and service were first and foremost in the hearts of women. While researching womens roles during the war, student's will learn about the trickle down effect of the war in regards to women's lifestyle and economics while understanding their major role in the war effort. The use of historical media and artifacts online, help bring an important time in US History, as well as womens history, to light for modern day students.
Teaching Plan
Step 1.
As a great "grab their attention" lesson opener, begin with starlet posters prewar era. Possible glamorous stars to show are Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn and Veronica Lake. Students will observe the detail to overall, feminine appearance. Show the curling iron from the digital collection as a necessary tool to achieve most fashionable looks.
Step 2.
Now, show a poster of Rosie the Riveter. Ask, what changes do we see? After sharing thoughts about the poster,write this popular slogan on the board:
Use it Up-
Wear it Out-
Make it Do-
or Do Without.
Ask students what it might mean and how people (children included) could implement it ( ie. patching clothes, canning foods, no waste, recycling, scrap drives, substitutions for rationed items, etc.). How would the changing ideal for a woman's appearance - from pre-war to wartime - relate to this slogan?
Step 3.
Explain how Rosie was not an actual person but represents women who went to work in factories after the men went off to war. Share the following site: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_the_Riveter)
Now,show the Norman Rockwell Rosie images. The most popular is his 1943 Saturday Evening Post cover of "Rosie the Riveter" which shows her eating a sandwich on her war plant break and another entitled " Rosie to the Rescue" as it shows Rosie carrying all the tools for many wartime jobs that she ( representing American women) is taking on for the effort.
Step 4.
Have students research women in factories during the war.The Library of Congress - Prints & Photographs Reading Room website has great images. "Rosie" women were referred to as W.O.W( Women Ordnance Workers )during wartime. Many images depict this reference. Students will gather numerous types of jobs women did to keep the country going and download pictures or videos showing women's home-front duties such as women at work in the factories, victory gardens, civil defense, and other duties such as non-combat military support.
Step 5.
As students find sites that show women working in factories, point out their appearance. What do they notice?
Step 6.
Show the one minute 46 second video online of "Hair Style for Safety WWll" by US News Review (Link below)
Step 7.
Ask the students what products or industries have been economically effected by the war in regards to women. An example of economic impact might be how the production of womens nylons was slowed because of resources needed for parachutes so ankle socks were encouraged. View women making parachutes in the link below.
Step 8.
Students will observe through research that lifestyles were altered for the good of the country and view the steps and sacrifices people took in support of their country. Share the site www.rosietheriveter.net and http://www.nps.gov/pwro/collection/website/artifacts.htm both of which preserve the history of Rosie the Riveter. Bonus Question: What was an E-Award?
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