K-12 Education Project / Grade 3

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Entire Lesson in Printable .PDF

Background: The story of the 10^th Mountain Divisionbegins with the activation of the 87^th Mountain Infantry Regiment in November, 1941. In June of 1943 the Regiment was attached to Amphibious Technical Force Nine and sent to the Aleutians to recapture the island of Kiska being occupied by Japanese troops. Meanwhile, the 86^th and 85^th Regiments were being formed at Camp Hale and in November, 1944 the three Regiments became the 10^th Mountain Division. Following mountain warfare training at Camp Hale and further training at Camp Swift, Texas, the 10^th Mountain Division was deployed in late 1944 to fight the Axis forces in Italy. The Division would remain in Italy until August, 1945. Following the war the soldiers would return home, join the work force, continue their education, start families and try to live normal lives as best as possible. The bonds of friendship and camaraderie among the soldiers continued and in the mid 1960’s the national Association of the 10^th Mountain Division was formed. One of the goals of the newly formed association was the establishment of the Return to Italy trips. These trips provided the opportunity for the soldiers to return to the places where they fought and where many of their friends were wounded or KIA. It also gave them a chance to renew friendships established with Italians during the war. For many, though, it was also an opportunity for healing and for closure of a very difficult period in their lives. Beginning in 2009 we descendants have taken over the planning and have also been able to experience the hospitality, gratitude, and friendliness of the Italian people as did the young soldiers of the 10^th.

It is for this reason that the activity selected for grade 3 pertains to the country of Italy!

Objectives: 1) To have students learn general information about the country of Italy 2) To have students know that Italy was the only country in Europe where the 10^th Mtn. Div. fought in WWII 3) To have students create a poster or complete a country report worksheet on Italy

Directions:

Option 1 –   Italy Country Report

In this option the student will first print the Italy Country Report Worksheet. Then the student is to view the following 3:12 minute Italy for Kids video:

After watching the video, the student is to complete the worksheet. He or she may have to look up some of the information needed from other sources and may need your assistance.

Upon completion of the worksheet the student is to have a picture taken holding the completed worksheet and send to:

Val Rios at vrios913@aol.com  The subject line should read Italy Country Report.

Please also include the name and address of the student completing this activity. We would also like to include the photo in the next edition of the 10^th Mtn. Div. Association digital newsletter, the Blizzard but will need parental permission. If you approve, please indicate your permission along with the photo in the email.

Option 2 – Italy Poster

In this option the student will create a poster about Italy. The student should first view the 3:12 minute video about Italy to get some general information about the country. The video can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSOIiKgTh5Y

The student may already have some familiarity with Italy but, if not, may need your guidance in which to find some other age-appropriate resources about Italy.

Then, using a standard size poster board the student is to make a collage about Italy. It could include photos or names of cities, the Italian flag, food, cars, famous people, words, traditions, or whatever else captures the imagination and interest of the student.

Upon completion of the poster the student is to have a picture taken holding the completed poster. The photo is to be sent to:

Val Rios at vrios913@aol.com  The subject line should read Italy Poster.

Please also include the name and address of the student completing this activity. We would also like to include the photo in the next edition of the 10^th Mtn. Div. Association digital newsletter, the Blizzard but will need parental permission. If you approve, please indicate your permission along with the photo in the email.

We hope you and the student enjoyed this activity and would welcome any comments or suggestions.