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= Home > Learning Activity 6-B-1: WWII Maps > Shelley and Myronda's Workspace=

SEA Record
Record your observations below for each stage of your primary source analysis.

Scan
There are three parties involved in this map: British, US, and the "enemy". There is a "bomb line". The map is of Europe. The map appears to define some kind of military action. There is a key to tell who was who There are a lot of numbers. It is confusing and overwhelming to look at

Examine
The map is of France (the Sienne River). The map is from World War II (dated June 1944). The map is in kilometers and miles. The map was declassified and is no longer "secret". The map labels various military camps in France. The map shows the progression of divisions across France. Over the time line you can see the movement of troops throughout the region. The arrows and use of numbers would tell whoever was reading the map where enemy and non enemy troops were located. This collection of maps seem to be all done by the same person as the symbols and handwriting seems similar.

Analyze
This is not a map from the German military because of the "enemy" is labeled as enemy, leading me to believe the map is from the US or British military. This has to be one of the final military actions at the end of World War II because of the dating. There were many enemy camps behind the bomb line in French territory. Clearly, an invasion is being planned because of the offensive strike on the enemy camps. You can see the concentration of troops as the Battle of The Bulge progressed. The maps were from the time of Dec 16, 1944- Jan 18, 1945. They may have been made for people to see the withdraw of Germanhy from the front lines. This may have been used for political reasons. It "proved" the movement of divisions and what they were up against as they proceeded to fight in the battle. When reading the essay on the website where the maps were located, it helped me to understand the maps better and as I went back to notice more, I realized that students would need that as well.

Discussion Area
Discuss and answer the following questions about the series of maps.

These maps can be used to describe the military action during World War II. This is a nice visual for the visual learners and it gives a unique and clear perspective on what the war looked like on a map. The maps could be used as a critical thinking activity to have the students come up with what they think the maps would tell them. It could be used for a culmination activity for a unit on WWII to have the students figure out what the maps show. (The withdraw of Germany) The maps could be used as part of a history of maps unit. The teacher could show a map timeline as well as examples to go with each period in history. These maps would be a good example of maps used in the 1940's.
 * //How can this series of maps be used in the classroom?//**

//**What prior information would be necessary for students to use these maps effectively?**// It would be helpful for students to have some background knowledge about World War II. A timeline of events that occurred would be essential. Also, the students would benefit from knowing who the different sides were and who was allied with who. For younger students a lot of background knowledge would be needed when looking at these maps. The students would have to understand birds eye view and how the symbols correspond with the map features.

//**Would you use these maps in your classroom? Why or why not?**// I would use these maps if they applied to my courses. They are interesting and depict a unique perspective of the war that students probably had not come into contact with previously.These maps would be interesting to show as an example of a map. When I teach maps, I have to cover so much that I would use this as an example instead of spending alot of time looking at it and analyzing it. I would find many examples of maps to show my students so that they will build their knowledge on maps and map making.

Map Uses Brainstorming

 * These WW II maps would be great for a math course where students can calculate the distance between two points.
 * Along the same vein as above, the students could use these World War II maps to calculate the difference between kilometers and miles, as the maps have the distances for both.
 * Students could use a standard map of their community in a health class to determine a work out routine that involves a scavenger hunt through the community.
 * In a science course, the students could analyze the natural resources in specific regions of the world.
 * A friend of mine uses maps in her sculpture class to create decoupage, biographical pieces with the students. Maps can be used as art too!
 * The maps could be used as a timeline to show important times in history.
 * Students can work in small groups to look at different maps and share back with the class.
 * Students can cut out pictures and make their own maps from various resources..
 * Students can compare the maps to see if they can tell what is happening in order.
 * The students can work cooperatively to analyze maps from different wars/battles.