A Spirit of Sacrifice: New York State in the First World War (logo) NYSM Logo

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
A Spirit of Sacrifice: New York State in the First World War—an exhibition at the New York State Museum and this companion web site—provides tools for educators to use to teach about World War I and its lasting impact on New York State, American, and world history. Themes of historic importance are examined—including citizenship and civic duty, immigration, race relations, and New York’s role as an industrial power.

 

The educator’s guide with lesson plans is available to download, and additional links to related programs and other online resources are listed below.

 

 

Cover to Educator's Guide

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE EDUCATOR'S GUIDE

(PDF 9MB)

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD INDIVIDUAL LESSON PLANS

  • INTRODUCTION: About this Guide

    INTRODUCTION: About this Guide and the Exhibition

    This Educator’s Guide is designed as a standards-compliant teaching aid for use with the New York State Museum’s exhibition A Spirit of Sacrifice: New York State in the First World War. The guide closely aligns with the five themes emphasized in the New York State Common Core Curriculum framework for K–12 education, addressing Grades 8, 10, and 11 curricula directly. Educators using this guide will know that students depart with a basic understanding of how world events connect with events here in New York, and how these events impact civic involvement and service both at home and overseas. Each lesson focuses on specific sections in the exhibition, which provides context through the use of period poster art. Therefore, this guide emphasizes Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), an effective teaching method appropriate to all ages and ability levels. All five lessons contain a historical background, classroom warm-up, and guided instruction within the exhibition. This is followed by independent and advanced practice ideas.

    Cover to Educator's Guide

    Download Intro Pages

    (PDF 1MB)

  • LESSON 1 -  Chronological Reasoning

    LESSON 1: CHRONOLOGICAL REASONING: CAUSES OF WAR & AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT

    OBJECTIVES:

    • Students will be able to identify the causes of WWI and the sequence of events that led up to the war.
    • Students will be able to explain what developments in technology and tactics made WWI a turning point in the history of warfare.
    • Students will evaluate the United States entry into WWI and will decide which side of the war the US should have entered on.

  • LESSON 2 - New York in the Great War

    LESSON 2: NEW YORK IN THE GREAT WAR

    OBJECTIVES:

    • Students will be able to explain the concept of total war and how it affects the whole population.
    • Students will be able to analyze New York State’s distinct contribution to the war effort.
    • Students will evaluate the importance of civic acceptance and participation to the effort in total war and why some people/groups may reject the sacrifices demanded of them.

  • LESSON 3:  Interpreting Visual Evidence

    LESSON 3: INTERPRETING VISUAL EVIDENCE: PROPAGANDA, DECODING AN IMAGE

    OBJECTIVES:

    • Students will be able to explain the role of propaganda to motivate a civilian population.
    • Students will to extrapolate motivating ideas and themes as visually depicted in wartime propaganda, including posters and other artistic materials.

    EXHIBITION AREAS & RELATED IMAGES:

    War in Europe: Posters 1-2, Posters 3-4

    American Entry: Poster 1, Poster 2-4, Poster 5

    "Over There": Poster 1, Poster 2

    "Over Here": Poster 1, Poster 2, Posters 3-4, Poster 5, Poster 6, Poster 7, Poster 8, Poster 9-11

    War at Home: Poster 1, Posters 2-4

    The End of the War: Poster 1, Poster 2, Posters 3-4

    Legacy of WWI: Poster 1

    LESSON PLAN RESOURCES:
    (click to enlarge)

    “Beat Back the Hun with

    Liberty Bonds” (1918)

    Artist: Frederick Strothmann

    Printer: Unknown

    Publisher: Treasury Department

    New York State Library,
    Manuscripts and

    Special Collections

    “Joan of Arc Saved France” (1918)

    Artist: Haskell Coffin

    Printer: United States Printing & Lithograph Company

    Publisher: War Savings Stamps Campaign, U.S. Treasury Department

    New York State Library, Manuscripts and

    Special Collections

    “Civilization Calls” (1917)

    Artist: James Montgomery Flagg

    Printer: Hegeman Print, New York, NY

    New York State Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections

     

    “Men Wanted To Build Aeroplanes” (1917)

    Artist: E.W. Pirson

    Publisher: Curtiss Aeroplane Company, Buffalo, NY

    New York State Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections

     

     

    “Raised ‘em Myself” (1919)

    Artist: Anonymous

    Printer: American Lithographic Co.,
    New York, NY

    Publisher: United States School Garden Army, Bureau of Education, Department of the Interior

    New York State Museum Collections, H-1975.85.4

     

  • LESSON 4:  War and Social Conflict

    LESSON 4: WAR AND SOCIAL CONFLICT

    OBJECTIVES:

    • Students will be able to analyze the methods used by the government to mobilize the population.
    • Students will assess how and why different groups reacted to the government’s efforts.

  • LESSON 5:  Aftermath and Effects of WWI

    LESSON 5: AFTERMATH AND EFFECTS OF WWI

    OBJECTIVES:

    • Students will be able to analyze short and long term results of World War I.

ADDITIONAL WWI ONLINE RESOURCES

 

World War I Centennial Commission

http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/

 

National History Day, Teaching World War I

https://nhd.org/classroom-connection/world-war-i/

 

The Great War on PBS

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/great-war/

 

National Education Association, World War I

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/60045.htm

 

Teacher Vision World War I

https://www.teachervision.com/world-war-1/teacher-resources/6679.html

 

 

 

NOTEWORTHY NEW YORKERS:

 

Sgt. Henry Johnson, New York native, Medal of Honor Recipient:
http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/johnson/

 

Sgt. William Shemin, New York native, Medal of Honor Recipient:

http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/shemin/

 

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