High School Asian Studies Independent Work Packet

The resource bundle includes the following items:

*The Japanese-American Experience During World War II: Power Point Presentation
* The Japanese-American Experience During World War II: Reading Assignment and Worksheet with Answer Key

*The Japanese-American Experience During World War II: Analyzing Primary Sources and DBQs

PowerPoint Presentation
This 30-slide presentation on the Japanese-American experience in World War II presents a broad and deep look at the nature of the four years between the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the end of World War II and how it impacted the Japanese immigrants (Issei) and their American-born children (Nisei). The slides include information about the Japanese and Japanese-American internment in camps along with the enlistment of both young Nisei men and Nisei women in the military. The slides also include information about those who didn't live in the camps and those who presented legal challenges to internment. The slides use engaging visuals including photographs, letters, documents and art to convey the experiences of an entire group of people who were moved away from their homes and businesses without constitutional redress. These visuals are primary sources that the instructor can use to further student understanding. The slides also include Reflection Questions which the instructor can choose to discuss with students. There are no correct answers to the Reflection Questions but should prompt interesting discussions. This slide presentation is equally valuable for the home-schooled student or for those instructors who want to provide supplemental information to their students. At the end of the presentation, there is a slide that provides annotations on the websites used to access the primary sources which are featured throughout the presentation. I hope that students find this presentation worthwhile and deepens their understanding about an experience that should give everyone pause but also shows the resiliency of both the Issei and Nisei during a very difficult time.

Reading Assignment and Worksheet with Answer Key

This 7-page Reading Assignment about the Japanese internment and other experiences in World War II presents a broad and deep look at the nature of the four years between the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the end of World War II and how it impacted the Japanese immigrants (Issei) and their American-born children (Nisei). This close reading assignment goes beyond typical textbook descriptions of the Japanese-American experience during World War II. It provides detailed explanations as to the evacuation process, life in the camps and issues that the residents faced. The assignment also includes information about those who didn't live in the camps and those who presented legal challenges to internment. The 3-page Worksheet asks students to answer questions based on their reading. This will reinforce their learning on the topic.

This Reading Assignment is equally valuable for the home-schooled student or for those instructors who want to provide supplemental information to their students. The second page of this assignment provides a list of important terms as well as an explanation about the use of historical terminology. I hope that students find this Reading Assignment worthwhile and deepens their understanding about an experience that should give everyone pause but also shows the resiliency of both the Issei and Nisei during a very difficult time. A worksheet is included.

This is also available as a digital resource through Easel so students may complete it online.

Analyzing Primary Sources and DBQs

This 23-page resource with 15 primary sources and 2 DBQ prompts gives students a chance to delve deeper into the experiences of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Many students know that Japanese-Americans from the West Coast were interned. Here’s a chance to read documents that shed light on how the decision was made, whether the racial prejudices were shared among all Americans, how Japanese-Americans contributed outside the camps, and how re-integration was perceived. The Japanese-American experience went far beyond their internment in the camps.

Primary Sources include:
Customer Complaint and Restaurant Owner’s Response
Transcript from a Meeting in General DeWitt’s Office
Excerpt from Executive Order 9066
Evacuation Notice Number 9
Images from Evacuation and Assembly Center
Letter from Internee to Former Middle School Teacher
Report from Congressional Committee on Camps
Photographs of Life inside the Internment Camp
Resolution by the Native Sons of the Golden West, Santa Cruz Parlor
Photographs of Contributions by Japanese-Americans
Letter Insert by Assistant Director of War Relocation Authority

Included is a one-page sheet that explains what primary sources are and how to analyze them using specific questions through a process called HAPPY. Primary sources include letters, photos, reports and other documents. Each page of primary sources includes questions. Two DBQ prompts with instructions are included.

There is also a page at the end for students to apply the HAPPY process to one source. An Answer Key to all the questions and the HAPPY process is available at the end of the packet.

If you like World War II historical fiction, I have written a book called Hearts of War about a Nisei soldier who served in the Military Intelligence Service and a woman who served in the Women Army Corps. In writing this book, I wanted to bring an unknown aspect of history to light. Available on Amazon or Kindle and I appreciate any reviews!

Thank you!

Christa Nonnemaker