Materials

• Outline maps of Europe and Asia during World War II
• Colored pencils
• Textbook
• Atlas maps
• “Sample Grading Rubric: Map of World War II” (Attachment B)

Instructional Activities

1. Have students create maps of Europe and Asia that reflect the opposing sides in the war and the significant battle sites. Remind them to use color and to include a legend. Allow students to use their textbooks and an atlas as a reference. Be certain that students include the following, among others:
   • On the Europe and North Africa map:
   • Main Axis powers, 1942
   • Areas of Axis control, 1942
   • Neutral nations, 1942
   • Allied territory, 1942
   • Sites: Normandy beaches (D-Day), Blitzkrieg of Poland, Battle of Stalingrad
   • On the Pacific map:
   • Areas/countries under Japanese control, 1942
   • Sites: Midway, Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima and Nagasaki
   
   
2. After students have completed their maps, discuss and have students take notes on the following:
   
   

   What were some possible problems Germany might have faced after declaring war on the Soviet Union? What obstacles did Germany face when invading Great Britain? What were some possible strategies the U.S. could have used to regain control of the South Pacific? What were some possible obstacles?

   
   
   
3. Assessment: A sample grading rubric for this session is found at Attachment B.