Ott

LESSON PLAN DUCK & COVER!

Your Name: Alli Ott Length of Lesson: 15-20 minutes
Date: 11/2/16 Course: HIST 700

Unit Topic/Title: Duck and Cover! Civil Defense in the Cold War
Standards Addressed: USHC-7.5 Analyze the impact of the Cold War on national security
and individual freedom, including the containment policy and the role
of military alliances, the effects of the Red Scare and McCarthyism,
the conflicts in Korea and the Middle East, the Iron Curtain and the
Berlin Wall, the Cuban missile crisis, and the nuclear arms race.

Prior Knowledge: Before this unit, students will need to have already studied the
background of the Cold War.

8-7.1 Compare the social and economic impact of World War II and
the Cold War on South Carolina with its impact on the rest of the
United States, including the increases in the birth rate; the emergence
of the consumer culture; the expanding suburbanization, highway
construction, tourism and economic development; the continuing
growth of military bases and nuclear power facilities; and the
increases in educational opportunities.
Essential Questions: Can an ideological war be more dangerous than a physical war?

How do individuals influence history? Do individuals have a

responsibility to act?

What role does propaganda play in society?

Materials Required: Paper and pencil, worksheet on primary document analysis (provided)
Why is this relevant Civil defense is important for students to learn today because the
today? concept of civil defense is still utilized by the government. While civil
defense today does not focus a lot on nuclear fallout, it does
emphasize protection from terrorism and natural disaster. After 9/11,
civil defense in the United States largely fell under the department of
Homeland Security. The US government still relies strongly on its
citizens to play an active role in the protection of this nation and
encourages citizens to report any suspicious activity (ex. Report
suspicious looking packages that could be bombs). Overall, civil
defense today has taken a new form but is still vital to the American
government.
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INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

History on Film Students will watch a clip of Bert the Turtle instructing students to
duck and cover. After the video is over, the class will discuss the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60
This strategy was taken from the Salevouris book

Primary Source Analysis Students will examine the primary documents on the PPT slide
show (pictures that I will provide). They will pick one of the pictures and complete a
worksheet that is attached below. Once the students have completed the worksheet, I will
call the class attention and we will go over their answers as a class.
Examining pictures that are primary sources was taken from the Salevouris book in
the chapter Oral History, Statistics, and Photographs

Create Your Own Civil Defense Poster Students will create their own poster. They will
be provided with markers, colored pencils, magazines to cut pictures out of, etc. This
activity will continue on into the next class.
Must include a slogan!
Posters will be graded on creativity, slogan, and effort. I am not expecting
masterpieces. However, I am expecting you to try your best and put effort into this
project.

ASSESSMENTS

Analyzing primary documents Once students have completed the primary source analysis
worksheet mentioned above, we will discuss as a class the answers to each question and
further discuss the primary documents (pictures) provided. This will allow me to assess how
well the students understand the material and what is going on in the pictures.

Create Your Own Civil Defense Poster This activity will allow me to determine how well the
students have grasped the ideas of propaganda and the thought processes behind civil defense
posters during the Cold War. This activity will be started in class, and students may take it
home to finish it for homework

Quiz Students will be given a multiple choice quiz on the information that we have covered
on civil defense.
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RESOURCES

Secondary Sources:

Chafe, William H. The Unfinished Journey: America Since World War II. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2015.

Rose, Kenneth D (2001). One Nation Underground: The Fallout Shelter in American Culture.
New York: New York University Press.

Monteyne, D. (2011). Fallout Shelter: Designing for Civil Defense in the Cold War.
Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

Primary Sources:

1951. Duck and Cover: Bert the Turtle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60

Propaganda Pictures. Civil Defense Museum: Art Gallery.

http://www.civildefensemuseum.com/artgal/artgallery.html
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Primary Source Analysis Worksheet

What is this picture

depicting?

What
strategies/techniques are
being used to persuade
people?

Reflect-
a) What was the purpose
of this picture/ Why
was it made?
b) Who do you think
created it?
c) Who is the audience?

Questions. Write down any

questions you have
regarding this image.