Florida During World War II

Lesson Plans

World War II Homefront: Wakulla Springs and WWII Troop Maneuvers
4th Grade Lesson Plan

Wakulla Springs and WWII Troop Maneuvers [Silent]

 

Overview

Favorable weather and ample land made Florida one of the primary areas selected for military base construction during World War II. Between 1941 and 1945, more than 200 military installations were built or expanded in Florida, which required 1.2 million acres of land and cost $306 million.

Florida’s beaches and rivers helped prepare troops for amphibious landings and jungle combat. The military used Wakulla Springs, located south of Tallahassee, to conduct training for troops expected to see combat in the wetlands and jungles of Southeast Asia.

This silent film shows soldiers wading into the water, climbing trees, and learning to operate and handle their equipment while partially submerged in water.

 

Objectives

Students will analyze a silent film that documents military training during World War II.

 
Grade

4

 
Next Generation Sunshine State Standards

SS.4.A.1.1: Analyze primary and secondary resources to identify significant individuals and events throughout Florida history.

SS.4.A.7.3: Identify Florida’s role in World War II.
Examples may include, but are not limited to, warfare near Florida’s shores and training bases in Florida (Miami, Tampa, Tallahassee, etc.), spying near the coast, Mosquito Fleet.

 

Materials Needed
 
Procedure
Part I: Introducing Content

Activate prior knowledge. Review with students what they already know abou Florida’s role in World War II, particularly as a hub for military training. Some questions you might ask:

  • What kinds of activities do soldiers practice when they train for war?
  • Why would the United States government choose Florida for military training?
  • How do you think the military used different environments (beaches, rivers, swamps, etc.) to help train soldiers for combat?

Explain to students that they are going to watch a short film clip that shows troop maneuvers and training techniques undertaken at Wakulla Springs near Tallahassee. Give students a brief background on the film clip, explaining that Wakulla Springs was chosen as a site for amphibious training because the natural environment there mimicked the conditions for swamp and jungle warfare in Southeast Asia.

Part II: Document Analysis

Students will analyze the film of Wakulla Springs & WWII Troop Maneuvers using the video analysis sheet.

Part III: Synthesising Information

Have students summarize what they learned about military training in Florida during World War II. Some questions you might ask:

  • How did the military used sites like Wakulla Springs for amphibious exercises?
  • Were students surprised by anything they saw?
  • Do the students think this type of training would prepare soldiers for combat in swamps or jungles?
  • What questions were unanswered?
 
Extension Activity

Students can further explore the documents in the Primary Source Set: Military Training in Florida During WWII.

 

 

 

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