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Leaders of World War Two: General Patton
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Activity Overview
Template and Class Instructions
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Activity Overview


Students will create a spider map that represents four leaders of World War II. For each individual selected, students should include the following four aspects of their leader’s life.


  1. Life Before the War
  2. Rise To Power
  3. Role During World War II
  4. Life After World War II

For each of the four aspects, students are required to create a visual representation that reflects that period in their life. Students are also required to include a written description below each visualization. Students may summarize the events or include a primary source directly from the leader.


Possible WWII Leaders to Research


  • Hitler
  • Stalin
  • Mussolini
  • Churchill
  • FDR
  • President Truman
  • General Patton
  • General Montgomery
  • Hirohito
  • Charles De Gaulle

Possible Notable WWII Veterans

  • JFK
  • Ted Williams
  • Jimmy Stewart
  • Arthur C. Clarke


Extended Activity

For this extended activity, students will research the full life of one of their researched World War II leaders. Students will use a timeline for this activity that reflects the leader’s childhood, events that lead to their achievement of power, their wartime actions, and if possible the life after the war.


Template and Class Instructions Accordion Arrow

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)



Student Instructions

Create a spider map that examines a leader in World War II, their rise to power, and their actions during the war.

  1. Click "Start Assignment".
  2. In the middle of the frayer model, enter the name of your chosen leader.
  3. Label each title with "Life Before the War", "Rise to Power", "Role During World War II", and "Life After World War II".
  4. Write a summary for each aspect of their life in the description box.
  5. Create an illustration for each using appropriate scenes, characters, items, or photos from Photos for Class.
Spider Diagram Template with 4 Cells and Labels
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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Spider Maps


Activity Overview


Students will create a spider map that represents four leaders of World War II. For each individual selected, students should include the following four aspects of their leader’s life.


  1. Life Before the War
  2. Rise To Power
  3. Role During World War II
  4. Life After World War II

For each of the four aspects, students are required to create a visual representation that reflects that period in their life. Students are also required to include a written description below each visualization. Students may summarize the events or include a primary source directly from the leader.


Possible WWII Leaders to Research


  • Hitler
  • Stalin
  • Mussolini
  • Churchill
  • FDR
  • President Truman
  • General Patton
  • General Montgomery
  • Hirohito
  • Charles De Gaulle

Possible Notable WWII Veterans

  • JFK
  • Ted Williams
  • Jimmy Stewart
  • Arthur C. Clarke


Extended Activity

For this extended activity, students will research the full life of one of their researched World War II leaders. Students will use a timeline for this activity that reflects the leader’s childhood, events that lead to their achievement of power, their wartime actions, and if possible the life after the war.


Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)



Student Instructions

Create a spider map that examines a leader in World War II, their rise to power, and their actions during the war.

  1. Click "Start Assignment".
  2. In the middle of the frayer model, enter the name of your chosen leader.
  3. Label each title with "Life Before the War", "Rise to Power", "Role During World War II", and "Life After World War II".
  4. Write a summary for each aspect of their life in the description box.
  5. Create an illustration for each using appropriate scenes, characters, items, or photos from Photos for Class.
Spider Diagram Template with 4 Cells and Labels
More options

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Spider Maps


How Tos about Leaders of World War II

1

How to Facilitate Engaging Class Discussions About WWII Leaders’ Decisions

Foster critical thinking by encouraging students to analyze and debate key decisions made by WWII leaders. Guided discussions help students connect historical events to real-world leadership challenges.

2

Set clear discussion goals and guidelines

Establish expectations for respectful dialogue and critical questioning. Clarifying objectives keeps discussions focused and productive for all students.

3

Pose open-ended, thought-provoking questions

Ask questions like, “Why do you think this leader made that choice?” or “How might history have changed with a different decision?” Open-ended prompts spark deeper analysis and curiosity.

4

Use primary sources and visuals to support discussion

Provide students with speeches, photos, or political cartoons. Authentic materials encourage evidence-based claims and make the history more vivid.

5

Encourage multiple perspectives and respectful debate

Invite students to consider different viewpoints, even defending a leader they don’t agree with. This builds empathy and helps students understand the complexity of historical decisions.

6

Summarize key takeaways and connect to today

Wrap up by highlighting main points and relating them to current events or leadership dilemmas. Making connections reinforces relevance and helps students retain insights.

Frequently Asked Questions about Leaders of World War II

What is a spider map activity for World War II leaders?

A spider map activity for World War II leaders is a graphic organizer where students visually map out key aspects of a leader’s life, such as life before the war, rise to power, wartime role, and life after the war, using illustrations and written summaries.

How do I create a lesson about World War II leaders for middle school students?

To create a World War II leaders lesson for grades 6–8, have students select a leader, research four life stages, and use a spider map with both visuals and summaries. Encourage use of primary sources and creative illustrations for engagement.

What are the four key aspects to research about a World War II leader?

The four key aspects to research about a WWII leader are: life before the war, rise to power, role during World War II, and life after World War II.

Which World War II leaders are good choices for a classroom spider map project?

Great choices for a classroom spider map project include Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Churchill, FDR, Truman, Patton, Montgomery, Hirohito, and Charles De Gaulle. Students can also explore notable WWII veterans like JFK and Ted Williams.

What’s the best way to visually represent different stages in a leader’s life for a lesson?

The best way is to create illustrations or scenes for each life stage—using photos, drawings, or digital images—and pair them with concise written descriptions to help students connect visually and contextually.




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