Students explore the relationship between Japan and the United States between 1915 and 1932. In this diplomacy instructional activity, students examine the Open Door Policy, 21 Demands, and the invasion of Manchuria by Japan. Students...

Students research the Japanese American World War II Camp Experience. They discuss the experience in the context of civil rights and the Bill of Rights.

Students review amendments of the Constitution relating to due process. They discuss the Constitution in the case of Eberhard "Zip" Fuhr. They research the provisions of the WWII Alien Enemy Control Program. They determine how national...

Young scholars compare terrorist attacks on the US. In this lesson on tolerance and war, students use various resources and links to examine the concept of toleration during war. Young scholars will focus on the attacks of Pear Harbor in...

Should Americans provide compensation to those whose ancestors suffered from slavery? Read and analyze the arguments of two modern-day journalists on the topic. Then, have a discussion on both the merits of the arguments as well as what...

Ninth graders determine that nationality is not defined by race, especially in the United States. They group into teacher created dyads with eight pictures. Four pictures are of American citizens (multiracial representations), and...

This compelling plan based on the letters in the book Dear Miss Breed engages readers in learning what it was like for Japanese Americans following the attacks at Pearl Harbor. After reading the letters, young scholars will...

Students explore and discuss Woodrow Wilson's concepts for peace and the League of Nations. They understand efforts made to foster American support for the League and discuss the opposition shown in the Senate.

Have you used the directed reading thinking activity in your classroom? Doubling as either a prereading strategy, or a during reading strategy, it helps readers connect the historical background of the text to the text itself. As the...

Students role play a trial in which they consider if the United States government violated the rights of Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor.

Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...

Students view the treatment of people of Japanese and German descent during World War II. They explore the problems in assigning blame to populations during times of war. They identify modern examples of discrimination and stereotyping.

According to John Betjeman, "Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows." With The Boy in the Striped Pajamas film study, scholars work in small groups to discuss the quote and other...

Students investigate the history of Japanese immigration. They complete an online Webquest, explore various websites, answer discussion questions, and locate and read newspaper articles about enemy compatants.

Students become familiar with the concepts of human rights and constitutional rights. They have an increased awareness of the historical record as to the cessation of these rights, especially in regards to children during WWII. It is...

Students discuss what happened on the west coast of the United States in 1942 from the perspective of either Japanese and Japanese Americans or their non-Asisan neighbors. They watch a video, where they are aware of both sides of the...

Eleventh graders investigate Japanese-American internment. In this World War II lesson, 11th graders conduct research from the Manzanar National Historic Sites and then write essays based on their findings.

Students read reflective essays to gain an understanding of the experiences of young people growing up in an area at war. Students locate groups who bring together opposing sides in a conflict for purposes of reconciliation.

High schoolers examine extension ideas concerning 9/11, Defining Moments. They analyze a variety of Supreme Court cases, the U.S. Constitution, Mass Media Interpretations, Racism, Immigrant groups and U.S. geography. Many questions are...

In this famous person worksheet, students read a passage about Anne Frank and then complete a variety of in-class and homework activities to support comprehension, including partner interviews, spelling, cloze, synonym matches, and...

Students examine the impact of Franklin Roosevelt's executive order on Japanese-Americans. They discuss Presidential executive orders, read a handout, answer discussion questions, and write a letter to President Roosevelt.

Seventh graders examine the conditions of the homefront during World War II. Using propaganda, they discuss its role and how it affected people who viewed it. They identify the role citizens played during the war and create their own...

Fourth graders explore the crisis of Japanese Americans during World War II. The benefits of the California economy are explored. The lesson has a discussion portion that is culturally relevant for many types of students.

Students read and analyze poetry written by Lawson Fusao Inada. They read and discuss the executive order issued to Japanese Americans during WWII, take a field trip to the Nikkei Legacy Center, and read and discuss poems.