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Vietnam Era Project

Curriculum | Linking | Speakers | Resources | Bridges


  Curriculum Toolkit

Outline
Lesson Plan 1
Lesson Plan 2
Interview Guidelines
Looking Back
Cold War Research Project
Vietnam War Research Project
Project Rubric

One of the best ways to teach the Vietnam era is through student projects. This allows a wide variety of topics to be covered. Projects like this also allow students to develop their public speaking and research skills. Many students are motivated to showcase their creative talents as well. Teamwork is encouraged. (Teams of two to three students seem to work best.)



Students present their project on Agent Orange.

Vietnam Era Project Guidelines

Part I. Choose one of the following topics to research:

  1. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Vietnam War
  2. The Black Soldier in Vietnam
  3. Women in Vietnam
  4. The Women's Memorial
  5. POW's and MIA's
  6. Agent Orange
  7. Ho Chi Minh
  8. Ho Chi Minh Trail
  9. John F. Kennedy and the Vietnam War
  10. Lyndon B. Johnson and the Vietnam War
  11. Richard M. Nixon and the Vietnam War
  12. SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization)
  13. Ia Drang Valley
  14. Asian Refugees
  15. Montagnards
  16. Marines/Army/Navy/Air Force in Vietnam
  17. War Protestors/Kent State/Jackson State
  18. Protest Music of the '60s
  19. Jane Fonda
  20. Robert McNamara
  21. Pentagon Papers
  22. Air War: "Rolling Thunder"
  23. General William Westmoreland
  24. My Lai Massacre
  25. Weapons of the NVA and the Viet Cong
  26. Weapons of the United States and the ARVN
  27. Life of a Soldier
  28. TET Offensive
  29. The Media in Vietnam
  30. Special Forces (Green Berets, Navy Seals)
  31. Fall of Saigon, 1975
  32. Operation Babylift
  33. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution/War Powers Act
  34. President Ngo Dinh Diem
  35. Madame Nhu
  36. The Draft
  37. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  38. Ky & Thieu
  39. Tunnels of Cu Chi
  40. Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr.
  41. Medics
  42. Geneva Accords
  43. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  44. Ambassador Pete Peterson
  45. Amerasians
  46. Vietnam Today
  47. The Black Ponies
  48. PBR's
  49. Topic of your choice (with teacher approval)

Part II. Suggested resources.

Encyclopedias
Magazines
History books
Maps
Novels
Interviews with Vietnam veterans, former protestors, journalists, etc.
Movies/Videos
Internet websites and databases
Additional resources (SEE YOUR MEDIA SPECIALIST!)

Part III. Oral Presentation. The following requirements must be met:

  1. A detailed outline MUST be turned in, as well as a bibliography (in proper format) including three (3) or more resources. You must also turn in five (5) test questions based on your presentation with the answers for those questions.
  2. A poster, video presentation or skit must also be part of your presentation.

The late Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. served as an inspirational "guest teacher" and classroom resource for MHS history students and teacher, Lindy Poling.