Part I: Example of a major news story

Your articles for Part I of the Newspaper should consist of at least three paragraphs. Be sure that you include background information and details about the events and the people involved with each event. Remember to cite each article as well.

Allies Invade Normandy!, by Mr. Gigliotti

Wheatly, D-Day: Our Greatest Triumph, pgs. 50-75,

Part I Section B, Major News Story

Yesterday June 6, 1944, combined Allied forces from the United States, Great Britain, and Canada, invaded the German occupied beaches of Normandy France. The operation, dubbed “Overlord” by the Allied Command under General Dwight D. Eisenhower, is the first step in an effort to liberate France from Nazi occupation and engage the Germans on a second front. It has been nearly fifty months since German Panzer tanks paraded under the Arch de Triumph in Paris and occupied this once free nation.

The D-Day invasion had been held up recently due to poor weather conditions. Troops had been waiting aboard ships in the English Channel for weeks and were growing weary of the operation. Finally the weather cleared and General Eisenhower unleashed the long planned attack. More than 176,000 Allied troops stormed five heavily defended Normandy beaches along the English Channel. German General Rommel had fortified the French coast with bunkers, pillboxes, barbed wire, tank traps, and other defenses. The Allied soldiers valiantly stormed the beachhead in the face of an enormous hail of German fire. Thousands of Allied soldiers were killed in the first few minutes on the beaches and many of them never made it ashore.

Adolph Hitler, leader of Nazi German, was convinced that the invasion at Normandy was an Allied trick. To spite the advice of his best general Erwin Rommel, he felt that the real invasion was soon to come at Calais and refused to move reinforcements to Normandy. This error allowed the Allies to gain a foothold in Europe. Although German resistance was fierce, the Allied invasion was successful and by the end of June 1944 the Allies will have over 850,000 troops in northern France. The stage is now set for the push to liberate Paris and eventually advance on Berlin.

Part II: Example of a Feature Story

Feature stories should be an in depth look at a particular topic. A good feature story is a work of historical fiction. You may use fictitious characters based on real historical facts. Often times however you may be able to find real historical figures for your feature story. You must first research the topic and then use your creative talents to complete the article. A good feature story should consist of at least five paragraphs. Remember to cite your feature story.

Question: “Research the Battle of Iwo Jima. Assume the role of an on location news reporter. Discuss the conditions, events, and problems the Marines faced during the invasion of the island. Be sure to include background information and other details about the battle such as: What does the island look like? How long did the battle last? How many soldiers were killed in the battle? What was the final outcome of the battle? Why was the battle significant?

Stars and Stripes over Iwo Jima!, by Mr. Gigliotti

Smith, The War in the Pacific, pgs. 10-17

Part II, Feature Story

Several weeks ago on February 19, 1945, I came ashore with the United States Marine Corps on the small Pacific island of Iwo Jima. Now after nearly a month of fighting the island is firmly in the hands of the United States. The victory however was one of the most costly battles in the Pacific during World War II. Over 20,000 American soldiers were killed or wounded in the bloody battle and estimates place Japanese losses at over 21,000.

Before this terrible conflict, most Americans had never heard of this small barren Pacific outpost were so many of their brave sons lost there lives. The Marines began their heroic ordeal off the coast of the island housed on American warships. Three months prior to the invasion, American naval air power pounded the volcanic island’s Japanese defenders relentlessly. The Japanese refused to surrender the island and were still firmly entrenched in underground bunkers carved out of the soft volcanic soil. The time had come for the Marines to assault the island.

This reporter joined the Marine invasion force as they boarded their assault ships that would ferry them to the beachhead. I was fortunate enough to hit the coast next to Private Ira Hayes who informed me what to do after we landed. As the ships grew closer to shore, a feeling of fear, anxiety, and courage came over the Marines in my boat. A sense of brotherhood and determination swept through them like a prevailing wind. As the landing craft door swung open one brave Marine yelled out “Sempre Fi!” With that the Marines and myself in the boat ran through the surf and began to crawl across the open beachhead under the Japanese fire. Japanese defenders waiting for the Americans in their secure bunkers killed many of the Marines. To spite the losses, the landing was easier than expected.

The real fighting ensued as the Marines moved further ashore on the island. Japanese defenders refused to surrender and would often fight to the death to defend their positions. American troops were often attacked by suicide assaults of Japanese soldiers carrying only Samari swords after their ammunition had run out. “We move a short distance each day.” Hayes commented. “The Japanese refuse to surrender and fight to the last man. We flush them out with grenades and in some cases flamethrowers and still they come at us. It is as if they are not human. We have taken thousands of casualties, but nothing can stop the United States Marines. We will prevail and this island of volcanic rock will be ours.”

After a month of some of the most severe fighting in their history, the Marines were able to take the island and drive out the hardened Japanese defenders. Some of the heaviest fighting came at the top of Mount Suribachi the highest point on the island. As the Marines took the top of the mountain, several of them including Hayes raised a large American flag as a symbol of freedom’s victory! I was fortunate enough to snap a picture of the flag raising. “Americans should be proud of their sons.” One wounded Marine told me. “For we have done the impossible.” The capture of Iwo Jima gives the United States a forward base just 750 miles from the Japanese capital of Tokyo and allows B-29 bombers to more easily engage in bombing runs on the Japanese home islands.

Part III: Example of an Editorial

Editorials should contain your opinion based on historical facts. Be sure to include not only your opinion of the event, but also the historical facts surrounding the event. A good editorial can be completed in one well written paragraph. Remember to cite your editorials.

Questions: “Was the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II justified?

Internment is Unjustifiable!, by Mr. Gigliotti

Smith, The Second World War, pgs. 13-16

Section III, Editorial

I believe that the internment of Japanese Americans during this recent conflict is not justifiable. We all have seen how after the bombing of Pearl Harbor many of our Japanese neighbors, especially in California, have been taken from their homes and moved to internment camps. Supporters of the internment of Japanese Americans feel it is necessary for our national security. Some argue that the risk of potential Japanese agents and spies along the west coast demonstrates a clear and present danger to the nation’s safety. By the end of 1942, there will be over 100,000 Japanese Americans interned in relocation camps. It has been my experience that Japanese Americans are some of our most loyal and patriotic citizens. It seems that we are taking away the very freedom that this war is being fought to protect. The internment of these people goes against everything America stands for in this war and it must not be allowed to continue. Otherwise the fascists have already defeated us here in our own home.

Part IV: Interviews & Biographies

For this section you may either write a short biographic sketch of an individual or conduct an interview with them. A short biographical sketch should consist of several paragraphs. An interview should consist of a brief introduction and at least five high quality questions and answers. You must research the individual to make the interview as realistic as possible. In this section you should describe his or her life and focus on their contribution to Westward Expansion. Below you will find an example of an interview conducted with General George S. Patton.

Patton’s Fury!, by Mr. Gigliotti

Jones, Patton, pgs. 100-129,

Part IV, Interview

Recently we had a chance to sit down with one of America’s great leaders during World War II General George S. Patton. Patton is a professional soldier who also fought in World War I and has led American troops in North Africa, Sicily, and Northern Europe into battle during this conflict. Although his tactics are sometimes questionable one thing most people agree upon is that he is highly successful on the battlefield.

Mr. Gigliotti: “Hello general thank you for joining us! I just want to remind you to watch your language as our paper is a family publication and I know that often times you are famous for your colorful comments. The first question I want to ask you deals with your highly successful campaign in North Africa. How were you able to defeat the great German General Rommel?”

Patton: “Well the Desert Fox is the best the Germans have. We all saw how he smashed through our troops at Kasserine Pass back in 1943 and handed us our biggest defeat in North Africa. Fortunately I was able to turn our rag tag army into a highly tuned fighting force and countered with several victories. The only problem is that by that time Hitler had recalled Rommel and I was up against their second stringers. There is little glory in that I say.”

Mr. Gigliotti: “General we all know that you were unhappy with the invasion plan of Sicily draw up by the Allied command and General Eisenhower. In light of a successful Allied invasion of that island have you changed your mind about the operation?

Patton: “Well you know that I have gotten myself into some trouble lately running my mouth and criticizing Ike so I’ll be careful here. I felt that my plan would have taken the Sicily more swiftly and would have cut off the German retreat. I wanted two armies to invade both northern and southern Sicily simultaneously, but Ike said it would be too dangerous to split our forces. Really I think that politics and British General Montgomery played a bigger role in his decision than tactics! That’s why we had to crawl across Sicily and later up the Italian peninsula.”

Mr. Gigliotti: “You took a lot of heat in the press and even lost your command over an incident on Sicily were you slapped one of your soldiers in a hospital. Do you have any comments about that incident?”

Patton: “I did apologize to that particular soldier and my army as a whole; however there is no room for cowards under my command. I will not have some yellow belly coward crying about shell shock in the same hospital filled with brave soldiers wounded in battle. I will not permit that indignity under my command.”

Mr. Gigliotti: “Your actions near Bastogne are legendary. Can you describe what that was like?”

Patton: “I have never had the privileged of commanding such a fine group of men as the Third Army in December of 1944. As you know our brave 101 Airborne was surrounded by the Germans and we marched over 100 miles in a blizzard to rescue them. I have never been prouder of men under my command.”

Mr. Gigliotti: “Finally general are you confident in the Allies ability to win this war?

Patton: “There is no question that we will be victorious! The American people will not tolerate a loser and we have the Germans on the run back across the Rhine. I told Ike to give me a little gasoline and I’ll beat those communists (Soviets) to Berlin. Wars should be conducted by generals and not politicians. Politicians always leave us with another war to fight. Ahh! But once again politics, always politics!”

Part VI : Sports Page

Your sports page may either describe how a game is played or it may report results. You may also report about fictional games, players, and teams within the sport as long as the game itself is historically accurate. The average report is at least one paragraph. An example is provided below.

Yanks Take the Series!, By Mr. Gigliotti

Harrah, The World Series, pgs. 16-17

Part VI, Sports

To spite the war overseas and the many players serving in the armed forces, the American past time continues. Last night was the final game in the 1944 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Saint Louis Cardinals. Saint Louis rebounded from a game one loss with a 4-3 victory in game two. However the Yanks took the next two games and lead the series three games to one going into last night’s game five. Although the Cardinals were able to pound out ten hits against New York’s hard throwing Chandler they were unable to score any runs. The Yankees capitalized on a two run homer by Dinkney in the sixth and went on to win the series in front of a crowd of more than 33,000 in Saint Louis.

SOCIAL STUDIES GRADING CRITERIA

Your Westward Expansion newspaper project will be assessed by the following guidelines listed below. Be sure to read over these guidelines and the rubric carefully in order to understand what expectations are associated with the project. Refer to the graduated sections list for additional requirements.

Historical Accuracy

* Any reliable and credible newspaper must print accurate information. Your research will allow your group to ensure that the information printed within your paper is reliable and accurate. In order to receive credit for each section your historical facts must be correct. The following is an example of poor historical accuracy: “The United States gained its independence from France in 1803.” This is obviously wrong and would receive little if any credit.

Examples of citations

* As indicated on the rubric, your group is required to cite sources used in the completion of the project. It is important to your newspaper’s credibility that you reveal the source of information for each article. Every portion of the newspaper must have a citation! Proper sources include reference books, internet sites, and other materials. You may not use your notes, Mr. Gigliotti’s notes, or your textbook as a source. These materials may only be used as a guide for further research. You are also to indicate which member(s) of your group wrote and or researched each article. Finally you need to indicate which part of the paper you are completing. Citations are to be done on the bylines of articles. All sections must contain citations. Here is an example of a proper citation.

A Hero on the Oregon Trail (Title), by Mr. Gigliotti (group member),

Eaton (Author’s Name), The Oregon Trail, pg. 24 (Reference Book),

Part 1 Section A, Major News Story (Project Section)

Including Dates

* You must include dates within the project in order to receive full credit for each section. You may indicate the date either before the article or within the article itself. Here are some examples below:

The Declaration of Independence (1776) (Date before the article next to the title)

One of the great events in world history was the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in the year 1776. . . (Date within the article)

The Finished Product:

-Your newspaper project will be completed on white poster board. This will be provided to you by Mr. Donahue. You are to use both sides of the poster board.

-Make sure you have a title for your newspaper, such as The Westward Gazette.

-You are to decide how many columns to have in your newspaper. You will probably be able to fit four or five on your poster board.

-Once you have your rough drafts completed, you are to type out your final copies. Be sure to include a creative headline and a by line and proofread for errors.

-DOUBLE-SPACE for ease of readability! Also, choose a font that is easy to read.

-Trim your articles with scissors to fit into your columns. Glue them in place.

-When it comes to where to place your articles on the poster board, put them in the order in which they appear on your newspaper handout. For example, the featured articles go first, the in-depth articles next, and so on.

-Your pictures are to be placed within your article. They should contain captions to describe the picture.

Your Group Folder:

-Every group will have a folder similar to the ones you used in Mr. Donahue’s class for the lessons that you taught.

-On the cover of this folder, there will be a sheet containing the following information:

-The title of your newspaper.

-The social studies class period.

-The names of all the members of your group.

-The sections each has chosen to complete.

-A space for Mr. Gigliotti or Mr. Donahue to initial.

-When you complete a rough draft, raise your hand. Mr. Donahue or Mr. Gigliotti will come to you to see if it is completed properly. You will get a grade for completing your rough drafts.

-ROUGH DRAFTS CANNOT BE TYPED!!!

-If it is completed properly, we will initial the front of your folder next to your name and the section you completed, and then you may start to type your article(s).

-All rough drafts are to be kept in you folder! This will allow us to keep track of your progress and make sure no one is falling behind.