Florida During World War II

Lesson Plans

World War II Homefront: Military Training at Camp Blanding
4th Grade Lesson Plan

Handbook, Infantry Replacement Training Center Camp Blanding, 1944

Handbook, Infantry Replacement Training Center Camp Blanding, 1944.

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.

This document is a handbook given to soldiers at Camp Blanding when it was an Infantry Replacement Training Center during World War II. The handbook contains a detailed description of the services and facilities available to soldiers, expectations for their conduct and other vital information. An illustrated map of the base is included.

 

Objectives

Students will:

Analyze a section from a guidebook to Camp Blanding, 1944.

Draw conclusions about:

  • Why Florida was chosen as a location for training WWII troops.
  • How newly constructed and expanded military bases changed Florida during WWII.
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 about military training. Some questions you might ask:

  • What kinds of activities do soldiers practice when they train for war?
  • Florida was one of the primary areas selected for military base construction during World War II. Why would the United States government choose Florida?
  • What would you expect to see on a military base in Florida during WWII (buildings, facilities, etc.).
Part II: Document Analysis

Have students analyze the section titled “Camp Blanding” on pages 3-4 of the handbook using the document analysis worksheet.

Part III: Document Synthesis

Have students summarize what they learned about military training in Florida during World War II. Did the excerpt from the handbook confirm the student's expectations? Were students surprised by anything they read? What questions were unanswered? What other documents would students want to see for a more complete picture?

 
Extension Activity

The class can choose another section to read in the Camp Blanding IRTC Handbook.

 

 

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