SCRAP DRIVES, STAMP SALES, AND SCHOOL SPIRIT - EXAMPLES OF ELEMENTARYSOCIAL-STUDIES DURING WORLD-WAR-II

During World War II, the nature of elementary social studies changed s ignificantly. Prompted by popular interest in the events of the war an d government initiated victory and defense savings programs, elementar y educators reshaped content and structure of their classrooms to fost er patriotism, community service, traits interest in geography and his tory, and good citizenship traits. Students participated in war saving s stamp and bond sales, scrap collection drives, and production of war -related plays; they studied rationing economics and conservation of r esources; they expanded their understanding of geography and world eve nts; and they learned how to be responsible citizens working toward th e common goal of victory in the war. As a result of enhanced and broad ened activity during the war years, elementary social studies emerged as a curricular field of prominence.