Lesson Plans: Social Sciences
VALUES/IDEALS OF AM. CITIZENSHIP

Send questions and comments concerning this lesson to author
Linda M. McCubbins, Education Coordinator
MacArthur Memorial, Norfolk, Virginia.

Grade Levels:
    5 - 11

Objectives:
Accomplish as many of the applicable SOLs as time allows.

Standards:
Social Sciences:
5.9, 5.10, 6.10, 6.11, 9.10, 9.11, 11.17, 11.18

Type of Program:

   Letters of praise written to General Douglas MacArthur assist students in recognizing the values and ideals of American citizenship.

Length of Program: 4+ Hours to accomplish all aspects of the lesson.

Cost: Field Trips to the MacArthur Memorial can be taken without charge.

  1. If intending to take your class on a field trip to the MacArthur Memorial, please contact Linda McCubbins, MacArthur Memorial Education Coordinator, to arrange the date and time of the visit.
  2. Confirmation of the visit will be sent to the lead teacher, with pre-visit information and a parking map.

Background:

Document I:

    Rural Route No.3
Paoli, Indiana
December 19, 1947

General Douglas MacArthur
Commander of Occupational Forces
American Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan

Dear General MacArthur:

   I am in the tenth grade of the West Baden Springs High School. Our English class has been discussing ideals of true Americans, and each one of us has selected his Ideal American. You are my choice!

   I have chosen you my favorite American because I had a brother in the Army in Japan, and he told me of the marvelous way you are running the government there. I think you are doing a wonderful job. We, here in America, are proud of you for helping us win the peace after you so definitely won the war.

   I would appreciate receiving an answer from you, because we are going to have a school display of the letters of our Ideal Americans.

    Sincerely yours,
GENE ELLIOTT

Document 2:
    December 19, 1947
Dear Gene:

   I am delighted to receive your fine letter of December 19th, and to hear of your work in the English Class of the West Baden Springs High School and of your generous thought of me.

   There are many, Gene, who can qualify as the type of American of which you speak, as the one great force which has given our country strength and ensured our progress is the way of life which Americans through successive generations have patterned for usÑa way of life which through free competition, equal opportunity, breed tolerance and mutual respect brings out the best of which men are capable.

   So with you, Gene, and your classmates, as you grow to fully understand our free way of life and to cherish and defend it, just as your fine brother has done, and take fullest advantage of the limitless opportunities which it provides, you will emerge as fine Americans of your generation and provide our country with as magnificent a leadership as to leave no doubt of our future strength, security, and progress.

   With renewed thanks and my best wishes,

    Faithfully yours,
DOUGLAS MACARTHUR
Gene Elliott
Rural Route No. 8,
Paoli, Indiana

Procedure:

Activity I.
   Instruct students to read the letters and determine the characteristics of heroes. Have students write a letter to their hero explaining why they were chosen.

Activity II.
   Have students compare and contrast characteristics of past and present heroes.

CONTACT:
Linda McCubbins
Education Coordinator
General Douglas MacArthur Memorial
MacArthur Square
Norfolk, Virginia 23510

PHONE: (757) 441-2965
E-MAIL: macmem@norfolk.infi.net

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