Teaching Suggestions
The suggestions and lessons provided in this guide can be used as a comprehensive introduction to the Pacific Northwest Japanese American internment experience. It's advised, however, that due to time constraints and ease of use, you pick the activities most applicable to your existing Social Studies, Language Arts , Reading, or personal goals.
Once you've look through the Omoide book and/or arranged a presentation, consider using any of the sample lessons and amend them to your program.
The Omoide lessons are divided primarily into three content groups:
- Primary resource documents and historical references
- Thematic or story specific lessons
- Skill and support lessons
Because group goals will differ from each lesson, focus on the points that address your main objectives. Do not worry about covering everything or exact measurements. The lessons are not sequential and should be modified to fit your classroom or setting. To see a list of related Social Studies CBA's for Washington State, 5th grade, you can refer to the Washington State CBA chart provided here or go to the OSPI Social Studies website and review specific grade level EALR and CBA's.
The backbone of Omoide is childhood memories of a historical time during a group of people's lives. The most powerful outcome of any of the lessons will be found in the discussions you have during and after sharing the stories.
