History Book Club: Farewell to Manzanar
In this live, five week course, we will explore the true story of one family's experience at an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War 2. This class is dyslexia friendly.
Leigh Robertson
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(755)
Star Educator
What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 35 mins in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Between classes learners will need to complete assigned readings in the book. The assigned readings will be anywhere from 40-50 pages per week. On average, students can typically complete this amount of reading in around 60-90 minutes per week. There is an audiobook option available. This is a dyslexia-friendly course. Students who need longer to read have the option to complete all or some of the assigned reading by audiobook.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Did you know that American citizens were jailed and held in internment camps during World War 2? How could something like this happen in the United States? We will explore this chapter in our history through the eyes of Jeanne Wakatsuki, an American girl who was uprooted from her life in California and forced to live in an internment camp. During our weekly class meetings, we'll discuss Jeanne's life and how it was impacted by her experience during the War. We will also explore this chapter in Asian American History: the racism and prejudice that led to the internment camps, and the court challenges to the practice of internment. We will also take a look at what happened after the war and how Japanese Americans attempted to rebuild their lives after their internment ended. Learners will read the book independently during the course and a suggested pacing guide will be provided. Students are welcome to access the work by print copy, digital copy or audiobook. During our live classes we will review the reading, reflect on our thoughts and learn more about life in the internment camps. Examples of the questions and discussion that will take place during the course include: * What was life like for immigrants and US citizens of Japanese descent before World War 2? * How were Asian Americans treated in the United States in the years before World War 2? * How did life change for Japanese Americans once war with Japan was declared? * What was life like in internment camps such as Manzanar? * How did Japanese Americans attempt to fight this injustice through the court system? * How did Jeanne's life change as a result of her experience at Manzanar? * What actions can we take when we see injustices taking place?
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please note that this book includes topics that some students may find disturbing or upsetting, including forced relocation and some references to domestic violence. I encourage parents to read reviews and other information about the book to be sure that it is right for your learner. You can find reviews on Good Reads here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/649361.Farewell_to_Manzanar
Supply List
A paper, digital or audio copy of the book Farewell to Manzanar. The audiobook is available via Audible and digital and paper copies of the book can be found at most local libraries, book stores and amazon. https://amzn.to/2DvXHlW
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2019
4.9
755reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
I am a licensed social studies educator (NC Teaching License) with a M.Ed. in Secondary Social Studies education. I am also a homeschooling mom. I have over fifteen years of experience teaching a variety of social studies topics including the history of many marginalized groups and other stories that are often not told in mainstream history courses.
I was inspired by reading Farewell to Manzanar and am excited to share this story with learners. I believe that reading the book is a great way for students to explore the many important topics surrounding World War 2 and Japanese Internment in the United States while looking at the experience from the lens of someone who was their age at the time.
Over the past three years I have been homeschooling my son, who has dyslexia, so I am familiar with the unique challenges faced by dyslexic learners. All students, including those with reading challenges, are welcome in this course and can access the text via audiobook or a combination of audiobook and text. While there will be written notes and information presented in our live class meetings, I will go over this information orally and with multimedia resources as well. Reviews
Live Group Class
$70
for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
55 min
Completed by 49 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
4-10 learners per class
