Thursday, February 15th

Today we began reading "Farewell to Manzanar," a non-fiction account of Jeanne Wakatsuki's time with her family at the Manzanar internment camp in Owens Valley, CA.  I explained how the assignments for the book would work and I will be distributing packets tomorrow.  I read the Forward and Chronology of Events to you before we started the actual book.  Then, together we read chapter 1 in class and we had discussion about that chapter.  In Chapter 1, we are told that on one particular Sunday morning, as Jeanne and the rest of her family watch Papa and the rest of the fishermen sail off, Pearl Harbor is attacked.  Following the attack, Papa burns a Japanese flag and other papers and documents linking him to Japan.  Shortly after, two FBI agents take Papa away for questioning and he is eventually arrested for delivering oil to Japanese submarines off the coast. 

Homework: None

Friday, February 16th

Today we read chapters 2 and 3 in class.  We learned that Jeanne's family made the move to the Manzanar camp without being separated.  They were assigned to Block 16 and were issued army mess kits, cots, and blankets.  The family used some of the blankets to divide up the barracks for sleeping quarters. Each family unit had a single light bulb and an oil stove in their barracks for heat.  Chapter 3 highlighted the drafty conditions inside the barracks.  Tin can lids were used to seal up the knotholes in the floors and walls so that the wind wouldn't blow dust and sand inside.

Homework: None

Tuesday, February 20th

Today we completed the first two assignments in your activity packet related to "Farewell to Manzanar."  The first assignment was called "Perspective" and required you to create a list of items you would take with you to an internment camp if you were moving.  The second assignment was called "Racial Bias" and required you to create a list of questions you would discuss with your families and the government regarding the official order to move.  After you finished these assignments, you read chapter 4 on your own.  

In chapter 4 we learned that families were issued surplus military clothing such as earmuffs, caps, leggings, and peacoats.  Lack of skilled labor and cleanliness led to sickness throughout the camps.  Latrines were dirty and floors covered with excrement.  Kitchens were poorly ventilated and volunteers who became cooks often had no cooking experience.  This led to improperly cooked food.  Other food spoiled easily from being left out too long. 

Homework:  "Perspective" & "Racial Bias" if not finished in class

Wednesday, February 21st

Today we read Chapter 5 in class.  We learned that more opportunities for work had opened up.  Woody took advantage of this and became a carpenter.  Families drifted apart as they began to eat their meals with friends instead of family.  Mess hall hopping became popular as the cooks of certain barracks were better than others.  Camp authorities looked down upon this. Jeanne started to spend time with 2 nuns, studying the Catholic faith.  Just before she was to be baptized, Papa returned after 9 months.  He looked 10 years older, was underweight, and walked with a cane.

Homework: None

Thursday, February 22nd 

Today you finished the "Descriptive Language" activity in your packets for Chapters 2-4 that we started yesterday.  In this activity, you were to find phrases within those chapters that described the camp facilities at Manzanar.  The first one was done for you: On page 17, "yellow swirl across a blurred, reddish setting sun...."  I asked you to find a minimum of 6 other descriptive phrases for full credit.

Following the activity, you were to read Chapter 6 on your own. 

Homework: None

Friday, February 23rd

Today we completed the "Racial Bias" activity in your packet for chapters 2-5 during class.  You were asked to complete a table with 5 examples of how Jeanne's family was insulted and how they responded to the insults.  Such examples included moving for the third time to Manzanar, only being assigned 2 small rooms for their large family, being served rice with apricots on top, and living in rooms with holes in the floors where the wind would blow up dust.

After completing the activity, you were to read Chapters 7 and 8 on your own. 

Homework: None

Thursday, February 22 & Friday, February 23rd

In chapter 6, we learned about Papa's past and his journey from Japan to Hawaii and then to the United States (Hawaii was not yet a state in 1906).  An American lawyer from Idaho was on vacation in Hawaii when he offered to pay for Papa to come and work for him as a "house boy."  Papa agreed and eventually did many tasks, including being a chauffeur and a general handyman.  We are also told about how Papa met Mama and how the family came to be.  

Chapter 7 is an interrogation between Papa and the FBI.  They asked him many questions about his family, his business, and delivering oil to the Japanese. 

Chapter 8 focuses on Papa's alcohol problem. While at Fort Lincoln, he learned how to make rice wine, and, in turn became an alcoholic. He was ruthless and very nasty to people back at camp. He also threatened to kill Mama and then was punched in the nose by Kiyo. 

Homework: None

Monday, February 26th 

Today we read chapters 9, 10 and 11 together in class.  In chapter 9, a riot takes place in December 1942.  We learned the cause of the riot was the arrest of a young cook, who was charged with stealing meat and sugar and selling it on the black market.  This was upsetting because both were in short supply.  As a result of the riot, 2 people died and many were injured.  Military police now patrolled the camp for rioters. 

In chapter 10, the camp reservoir crew went outside of camp to make sure the camp had a constant water supply.  They were caught by the military police that were now in place to patrol the camp perimeter, but after checking orders they learned they were in fact allowed to be there. 

Chapter 11 highlighted the loyalty oath, which was given to the Japanese Americans to determine their loyalty to the United States.  A meeting was held at the camp for the heads of households, which Papa attended.  He got into an argument at a meeting with another man and ended up getting into a fight with him outside.  Later, he returned to the barracks and sang the Japanese national anthem.

Homework: Part I Quiz Wednesday

Thursday, February 29th

Today we read chapter 12 in class.  We learned that living conditions at Manzanar started to improve after Jeanne's family moved to Block 28 in the spring of 1943.  The new barracks offered 4 rooms for the 12 family members and real ceilings and floors.  A farm was started just outside the camp fences and a park was built with ponds, waterfalls, and a bridge.  Jeanne says you were able to get lost sitting in the park as if you weren't a prisoner. At this point, the camp was like a fully functional American town. 

Homework: Collage due Monday

Friday, March 1st 

Today we read chapter 13 in class.  We learned about the camp's school as Jeanne described her teacher and the classroom design.  We also got some foreshadowing, as Jeanne told us about how she joined the baton club in high school after the camp closed.  Baton twirling was a way for her to be "American" and become accepted by her peers and classmates. Jeanne also started to take catechism classes again with the nuns and announced that she was going to be baptized.  However, when she came home and told Papa, he immediately told her "No!"

Homework: Camp Maps due 3/6

Monday, March 4th 

Today we read chapters 14 and 15 in class.  Chapter 14 mainly focused on Jeanne's sister, Eleanor, and the birth of her baby. 

In Chapter 15, we learned that Jeanne's brother, Woody, received a draft letter and will be leaving Manzanar and the family to serve in the military for the remainder of the war.  Some of Jeanne's older siblings are also leaving to move east in search of jobs and a better life.  After reading, you completed the "Personal Conflict" activity in your packets.

Homework: Camp Maps due Wednesday

Tuesday, March 5th 

Today we read Chapters 16 and 17 in class.  In Chapter 16, we learned that the Supreme Court has ruled Japanese Internment to be unconstitutional in the Korematsu v. United States court case.  As a result of the ruling, internment camps will be closed and Japanese Americans will be free to return to normal lives. 

In Chapter 17, we learned in January 1945, closure dates for some camps were determined.  Manzanar was set to close on December 1, 1945.  Each week until closure, a certain number of internees were bused out of the camp to their new homes.  They were to pick a city, state, or location or else the government would transport them to wherever they came from in 1942.  Jeanne's family waited to move from the camp and, as a result, faced a housing shortage on the western coast.  Papa was also unable to return to his job as a commercial fisherman as the government banned Issei from obtaining commercial licenses. 

Homework: Camp Maps due Tomorrow

Wednesday, March 6th 

Today we read chapter 18 in class.  In this chapter, Woody describes his visit to Ka-ke, the home of Papa's family outside of Hiroshima in Japan.  He is surprised by many things he has seen and many reactions of Papa's family.  Several times he mentions something new that he learned about his father, usually through conversation with his Aunt Toyo.  After reading, you completed the chapter 18 "Perspective" assignment from your packet.  

Homework: None

Thursday, March 7th

Today we read Chapters 19 & 20 in class.  We learned that the Wakatsuki Family was moving out of Manzanar and Papa insisted they go by car instead of by bus.  Several communities on the west coast were now filled with hatred and fear of the Japanese moving back to their communities.  Signs could be seen stating "Japs Go Back Where You Came From." There was also a housing shortage on the west coast, so the family moved into a housing project, but had a stove to cook on and indoor plumbing now!  Papa lost everything and became depressed at having to start over, so Mama realized she would have to find work and support the family for a while.  She found work at a local fish cannery. 

In Chapter 20, Jeanne started to attend public school and made a new friend named Radine.  She attempted to join the girl scouts, but was denied because she was Japanese.  Jeanne continued to twirl baton with Radine and joined a Boy Scout drum and bugle corps, marching in parades with them.  Papa did not like this.  Later, Jeanne was honored at the PTA awards banquet and was embarrassed when Papa stood up and bowed as she shook the principal's hand.

Homework: None

Friday, March 8th

Today we read Chapter 21 in class.  We learned that Jeanne had been nominated for the senior class's carnival queen by many students.  The teachers tabulating the votes were afraid of the impression the school would give if a Japanese girl was crowned.  Jeanne was eventually announced as the winner and is later crowned at the coronation night festivities in the gym.  As we learned before, Papa is not very supportive of this, but makes a deal with Jeanne that if she takes traditional Japanese dancing lessons, she can be queen.  You had the second half of the period to complete the last activity in your packets, "character relationships."

Homework: "Farewell to Manzanar" Test - March 14th

Monday, March 11th

Today we read the final chapter of the book.  This was a completely different chapter than you are used to reading because it takes place about 30 years after Jeanne and her family left Manzanar.  In the chapter, Jeanne is an adult and finally makes a trip back to the camp with her husband and 3 children.  This is an emotional experience for her and through visiting the sites and hearing the voices and sounds of the camp through the wind, she realizes it is no place for children. 

Homework: Test Thursday

Tuesday, March 12th - Wednesday, March 13th

Today we completed a study guide for the test on Thursday.  Some of the questions were on the Part 1 Study Guide as well since the test covers all parts of the book, not just Parts 2 & 3.  

Homwork: Study for Test!