No Prep Sub Plans: U.S. Military History — Vietnam War Media Coverage

No Prep Sub Plans: U.S. Military History — Vietnam War Media Coverage
Research + Group Project (Journalism Analysis Infographic)

Bring history, journalism, media literacy, and critical thinking together with this engaging Vietnam War Media Coverage group project! Students explore how television news, journalism, photographs, and the Pentagon Papers changed public opinion during the Vietnam War and transformed the relationship between war and the media forever.

Perfect for middle school and early high school U.S. History, Civics, Media Literacy, Journalism, or Sub Plans, this ready-to-use lesson guides students through collaborative research before creating a visually engaging Journalism Analysis Infographic.

Students investigate:
- The “First Television War”
- Walter Cronkite and the 1968 broadcast
- The Pentagon Papers & government secrecy
- Famous Vietnam War journalists and photographers
- How media coverage influenced public opinion and the antiwar movement

What’s Included
- Teacher Direction Page
- Student Research & Planning Page
- Color Student Planning Version
- Black & White Student Planning Version
- Early Finisher / Extension Activity Page
- Journalism Analysis Infographic project structure
- Research prompts and infographic checklist
- Group collaboration roles
- Reflection and critical thinking opportunities

Students Will:
- Analyze how journalism impacted the Vietnam War
- Explore the role of television and photography in shaping public opinion
- Examine freedom of the press and government transparency
- Research important historical figures and events
- Collaborate to design an informative visual infographic
- Practice summarizing, organizing, and presenting historical information

Perfect For:
- U.S. History
- Vietnam War Units
- Media Literacy
- Journalism Units
- Civics & Government
- Emergency Sub Plans
- Fast Finishers & Extension Activities
- Group Research Projects
- Grades 6–10

Why Teachers Love It
- Ready-to-use with minimal prep
- Sub-friendly structure and directions
- Encourages collaboration and discussion
- Strong cross-curricular connections to ELA and media studies
- Includes both color and black-and-white student versions
- Helps students connect history to modern media and journalism