From books to battles: A cross-curricular WWII project for 8th graders
OKINAWA, JAPAN – In an innovative educational endeavor, eighth grade students at Kadena Middle School embarked on a cross-curricular project that seamlessly blended English Language Arts (ELA) and U.S. History, deepening students' understanding of World War II through an immersive and interactive learning experience.
The foundation of this project was the historical biography "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand, which students read in their ELA class. "Unbroken" tells the harrowing and inspiring story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete turned WWII bombardier who survived unimaginable hardships. Concurrently, in their U.S. History class, students studied the broader context of World War II, exploring its causes, major events, and global impact.
As a culminating activity, students were given a choice board with various project options related to WWII. These options included creating detailed timelines, building models of significant moments from the story, creating ration recipes, and more. Each student selected a project that piqued their interest and conducted thorough research on their chosen topic.
The highlight of this cross-curricular project was the gallery walk, where students showcased their projects. This event was not just an internal affair; it involved the entire middle school, including other classes and teachers, as well as students from neighboring Kadena High School. The gallery walk provided a platform for students to present their work, share their insights, and receive feedback from a varied audience.
“Letting students choose their projects really helped them connect with their learning, making them more engaged and enthusiastic,” said Ms. Amanda Huereque, eighth grade ELA teacher. “The gallery walk format boosted their confidence, with many feeling excited to present without needing notecards, showing their growing self-assurance and mastery of the material. Students were proud of their creations, which reflected a deep understanding of the novel Unbroken, and they were eager to share their insights and hard work with their peers. Overall, the gallery walk projects not only enriched their learning experience, but it developed a sense of pride and accomplishment for me as a teacher.”
The gallery walk transformed the school's Information Center into a vibrant exhibition space. Projects were displayed with pride, and students stood by their work, ready to explain their research and answer questions. The event fostered a sense of community and collaboration, as attendees from different grades and subjects engaged with the presenters.
High school students, who had previously studied WWII, offered valuable feedback and encouragement, while middle school teachers appreciated the depth of understanding and creativity displayed by the eighth graders. The gallery walk not only showcased the students' hard work but also highlighted the effectiveness of cross-curricular learning.
“These culminating projects are a depiction of what each individual student felt most confident about in our unit,” said Ms. Brea Cook, eighth grade U.S. History teacher at Kadena Middle School. “The beautiful thing with confidence is how easily it is projected to others. Our exceptional students were able to talk to peers and adults about their topics, answer questions, and receive positive feedback for improvement. The positive feedback portion was crucial. Many students read their feedback and adjusted their conversations for the following presentations they did; while others were nervous to read it until we were back in the classroom and I prompted them to. Most of their faces lit up! Confidence and knowledge are both powerful lessons for students, and these were both gained while working on their gallery walk projects.”
This experience exemplifies how cross-curricular projects can enrich education and foster a deeper understanding of complex subjects. By combining ELA and U.S. History, the eighth graders at Kadena Middle School not only learned about WWII but also developed critical thinking, research, and presentation skills. This project stands as a model for innovative teaching practices that bridge disciplines and engage students in meaningful ways.
