Rationing on the Homefront

Lesson Plan

Grade Level: 4-8, 9-12

Duration: 90 Minutes

Audience: Students, Educators

Society & the Homefront

For the Classroom

Medicine & the Human Experience

Servicemen & Servicewomen

Teks

Grade 5 Social Studies: 5.5A, 5.11A, 5.11B, 5.17A, 5.23A, 5.23B, 5.23C, 5.24D, 5.24E, 5.25A, 5.25B, 5.25C, 5.25D
United States since 1877: US.7A, US.7F, US.7G, US.17A
Grade 6 Social Studies: 6.12A, 6.12B, 6.19A, 6.19B, 6.19C, 6.19D, 6.21A, 6.21B, 6.21C, 6.21D
World History Studies: WH.23A
World Geography Studies: WGEO.11B
Grade 6 Math: 6.1A, 6.1B, 6.1C, 6.1D, 6.1G, 6.3A, 6.3D
Grade 7 Math: 7.1A, 7.1B, 7.1C, 7.1D, 7.1G, 7.3A, 7.3D
Grade 8 Math: 8.1A, 8.1B, 8.1C, 8.1D, 8.1G
Algebra I: Alg.1A, Alg.1B, Alg.1C, Alg.1D, Alg.1G
Algebra II: Alg2.1A, Alg2.1B, Alg2.1C, Alg2.1D, Alg2.1G
Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance: Bus.1A, Bus.1B, Bus.1C, Bus.1D, Bus.1F, Bus.2A, Bus.2B, Bus.4A, Bus.4B, Bus.9B
Financial Mathematics: FIN.2A, FIN.2B, FIN.2C, FIN.2D, FIN.2G, FIN.5A, FIN.15A, FIN.15C

Materials

Writing Utensils
Calculator
Primary Source Documents (included)
Item Tracker Worksheet (included)
Recipe Ideas (included)
Grocery Items List (included)
Weekly Meal Planner (included)
Family Scenario Cards (included)

National Standards

Era 8: Standard 3C
D2.His.: 1.6-8, 1.9-12
D2.Eco.: 1.3-5, 1.6-8

MAIN ACTIVITY:

Students will take on the role of ordinary American families on the American Home front during World War II. Students will have to feed all members of the family, balancing out physical needs with the limitations of rationing. Students will interact with primary sources and will simulate creating a budget and planning meals based on the number of ration stamps allotted. By the end of the activity, your students will understand the sacrifices made daily by Americans on the Home Front and learn about the issues arising at home due to the reality of war.