Resumen de Scrap Drives, Stamp Sales, and School Spirit: Examples of Elementary Social Studies during World War II
During World War II, the nature of elementary social studies changed significantly. Prompted by popular interest in the events of the war and government initiated victory and defense savings programs, elementary educators reshaped both the content and structure of their classrooms to foster patriotism, community service, interest in geography and history, and good citizenship traits. Students participated in war savings stamp and bond sales, scrap collection drives, and production of war-related plays; they studied rationing economics and conservation of resources; they expanded their understanding of geography and world events; and they learned how to be responsible citizens working toward the common goal of victory in the war. As a result of enhanced and broadened activity during the war years, elementary social studies emerged as a curricular field of prominence.
