Focusing on the forcible relocation of West Coast Japanese-American citizens during World War II, the unit poses the question: Can democratic ideals and processes survive the conditions of total war? Some aspects of this episode considered are: public and official reactions to the Pearl Harbor attack; racial antipathies underlying the decision for…

This unit focuses on the decades of the 1940s and 1950s by studying key events from the eras. Students analyze issues and think critically about decisions made during the time. Topics of the unit include: (1) "Japanese Relocation"; (2) "Rationing: Who Should Get What?"; (3) "War in the Pacific"; (4) "The Draft: Who Should Fight a War?"; (5)…

In spite of facing continual discrimination, Japanese and Japanese Americans living on the U.S. west coast made lives for themselves. On December 7, 1941, everything changed. After the attack on Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), individuals saw every Japanese or Japanese American as a potential spy, ready and willing to assist in a mainland invasion at any…

This publication is intended for teachers bringing a class to visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C., for a workshop on primary documents. The National Archives serves as the repository for all federal records of enduring value. Primary sources are vital teaching tools because they actively engage the student's imagination so that he or…

Given the assumption that children learn societal values in schools, textbooks and teaching manuals were reviewed to determine their effects on immigrant and minority-group children. The study was limited in three ways: (1) only primary through eighth-grade materials were reviewed; (2) only the immigration period (1880-1920), the post war period…

On February 19, 1942, at the height of U.S. involvement in World War II, President Roosevelt authorized military leaders within the War Department to place all Japanese Americans residing on the West Coast in detention camps. The following months saw the relocation of some 120,000 Japanese Americans, of whom 77,000 were U.S. citizens. The decision…

Highlights the scholarship that exists on the World War II homefront covering topics such as World War II as a good war, Franklin D. Roosevelt, economic policy, propaganda, status of women and women's employment, the role of African Americans, racial violence, and the Japanese American experience. (CMK)

Argues that oftentimes simple parallel constructions and choice of examples reflect an unconscious bias in history textbooks. Reveals a number of these, particularly related to the United States' treatment of minorities in World War II. Advocates using strategies to identify and challenge biases in history textbooks. (MJP)

Very little is taught about Asian Americans in United States' education institutions at any level of instruction. Evaluations of standard U.S. history and social studies textbooks since World War II show that most are inadequate in their coverage of minority groups to the extent that they have encouraged the perpetuation of negative stereotypes.…

This developmental guide was written to help children and teachers gain an understanding and respect for all ethnic groups and learn to appreciate the strengths inherent in their differences as well as in their similarities. The introductory lessons deal with the total child: first helping him to gain a better insight into himself, then studying…

This annotated bibliography of social studies materials, language arts materials, mathematics materials and miscellaneous publications was developed by the Asian American Bilingual Center. The materials are organized in the form of kits designed for ten weeks of instruction in each of three curriculum levels: identity, needs, and interaction. The…

Provides reviews of two CD-ROM products currently available for social studies education. Describes the content, technical requirements, and instructional strategies of "Who Built America?" and "The Revolutionary War." Also contains a review of a videotape about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. (CFR)

The document lists approximately 280 ethnic heritage-related materials. Bibliographic citations for anthologies, plays, speeches, autobiographies, films, filmstrips, study guides, curriculum outlines, learning activities, and critical and historical studies for works published from 1950 through 1976 are annotated. The materials consider cultural…

Provides lesson plans for grades 3-5 mathematics/science; grades 1-5 and grade 7 reading and language; grades 2 and 5 science; grades 3-4 and grades 5-8 social studies. Lists print and nonprint resources and discusses library media skills and subject area objectives, instructional roles, activities, procedures, evaluation, and follow-up. (PEN)

Presents a lesson examining the historical background of the U.S. government's relocation and internment of Japanese-Americans and Japanese aliens during World War II. Asks secondary students to consider both the legal and moral dimensions of the relocation effort and current compensation arguments. Includes handouts and suggestions for role…