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Teacher's Guide for COBBLESTONE ® The Korean War, 1950-1953

Teacher Guide prepared by: Martha Kennedy-Lindley, JO1, USNR, Education Program Coordinator, 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee.

Objective:
After reading the special edition of COBBLESTONE® (Fall 1999) The Korean War: 1950 - 1953 students will have a better understanding of the war and will be able to identify and discuss the main events of the war.

Opening Discussion:
  1. The Korean War is often called the "Forgotten War" - ask the students what they know about the war - record the responses. Then ask if they know anyone who fought in the war.
  2. Freedom is Not Free is inscribed on the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. - ask the students what they think that means and why they think it was chosen for the memorial.
Background and History:
Have the students read "War on the Horizon" and then discuss the events that preceded the invasion of South Korea.
  • Use a timeline or other graphic organizer to help students visualize the events.
  • List any new vocabulary words on the board - define and explain the words. Are any of the words familiar in the context of current events?
Quick Geography:
Have the students look at the map on pages 8 and 9. Note: The countries that fought in the Korean War represented all continents except Antarctica. Also use the maps provided or a larger world / Asia map to illustrate the saying "Korea is a shrimp caught between whales."

Timeline Expansion:
Use the timeline on pages 16 and 17 as a starting point - discuss the highlighted dates and events. Now extend the timeline back in time and forward in time.
  1. Ask the students to fold a piece of 8 × 10 or larger paper in half vertically - use the center fold as the timeline.
  2. Label one side Korean War and enter the major events of the Korean War. (You may add other events not included in the magazine.)
  3. Label the other side Homefront and enter corresponding events happening elsewhere in the world or at home.
  4. Look for a variety of things to include on the homefront side.
  5. Note: This activity could also be done in small groups or as a class project.






Example:
McCarthy launches
anti-communist campaign
1950

Korean War
Homefront


1950
silly putty is invented
black bear cub found
orphaned after NM
forest fire, taken
to National Zoo,
named Smokey, became
symbol for forest fire
prevention


Research and Reporting:
Ask students or a small group of students to select an important figure from the Korean War (see pages 18 & 19 for suggestions) and delve into his / her background. Using a variety of mediums (written, oral, poster, storyboards, or mock interviews) have the students report on their person.

Humanitarian Work:
After reading the article on the humanitarian work during the war ask students to talk about other times humanitarian relief is provided. (Example: after natural disasters.) Collect newspaper and magazine articles about other relief efforts or contact an agency that works with refugees or provides humanitarian aid. Is there a way the students can get involved or offer help?

Integrating the Armed Forces and Women during the Korean War
After students finish reading the articles on integration and the women in the Korean War, have students research these topics and role play women and African Americans who served in the war. Have the students do a panel discussion in the persona of the group they researched. (Example: Two students could role play a white and a black soldier and another could be a female nurse that served in a MASH unit and another could be a female war correspondent.)

Interviewing Veterans:
Ask students to interview a Korean War veteran. The interview with Harley Coon beginning on page 42 is a good example to follow. If you do not know a Korean War veteran call a local veteran's organization like the Korean War Veteran Association, VFW or American Legion - they will often have a ready list of veterans willing to speak with students. Have the students do a one-on-one interview or invite a veteran to be a guest of honor in your classroom. Speak with the veteran prior to the interview or classroom visit and outline the project, time available and any topic you would like them to cover. Also prepare the students to be good interviewers - they could brainstorm a list of appropriate questions and interviewing techniques. The American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., has a Veteran's Oral History Project - check their website for more details. www.loc.gov/folklife/vets

Wrap-up and Enrichment Activities:
  1. Revisit the list the students made before they read this edition of COBBLESTONE®. What would they change or add to the list? How accurate was the list?
  2. When asked what the toughest decision of his presidency was, President Truman said "committing U.S. troops to fight in Korea." Ask the students why they think he made that statement.
  3. Provide the students with a variety of newspaper and magazine accounts of the Korean War - select front page stories, editorials and op-ed pieces, photographs along with feature articles from several different sources. Ask the students to compare and contrast the articles - look at content, style, slant, and length. If time and resources permit, expand this to cover different wars including WW II, Vietnam, and WW I. Use the same criteria to compare and contrast the articles.
  4. Using a long strip of paper, have the students plan and make a mural depicting the major events of the Korean War.
  5. If resources are available gather a variety of propaganda leaflets from the Korean War. Using these as examples ask the students to create their own. This can also be done using political cartoons.
  6. Ask the students to write letters to the editor of the local newspaper using an event from the Korean War as the topic.
  7. Read several picture books about the Korean War then have the students work in small groups to write and publish their own picture book about the Korean War. Read the books to the class or to another class. Note: Peacebound Trains by Haemi Balgassi is a good place to start.
  8. Plan an event to thank and honor local Korean War Veterans.
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