One of the challenging topics to teach students in American history is the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This dark chapter in the nation’s past has been minimally discussed, but examining the locations of these internment camps enables educators to provide context for their students. This article aims to discuss the importance of teaching about Japanese internment camps, their locations, and how to incorporate them into lesson plans effectively.
The Importance of Teaching About Japanese Internment Camps
Teaching about Japanese internment camps is crucial for several reasons:
1. Addressing an often-overlooked part of U.S. history – Understanding comprehensive American history means examining its victories and failures. Educating students about the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during this time develops an appreciation for historical accuracy and depth.
2. Dispelling stereotypes – Raising awareness about these events helps remove ethnic stereotypes that may have persisted over time.
3. Acknowledging inequities – Recognizing and discussing this grave injustice enhances empathy, understanding, and resistance against discrimination.
Locations of Japanese Internment Camps
There were ten main internment camps scattered throughout the United States. They were:
1. Manzanar War Relocation Center – California
2. Tule Lake Segregation Center – California
3. Poston War Relocation Center – Arizona
4. Gila River War Relocation Center – Arizona
5. Granada War Relocation Center (Amache) – Colorado
6. Heart Mountain War Relocation Center – Wyoming
7. Minidoka War Relocation Center – Idaho
8. Topaz War Relocation Center (Central Utah) – Utah
9. Rohwer War Relocation Center – Arkansas
10. Jerome War Relocation Center – Arkansas
Incorporating Camp Locations into Lesson Plans
1. Mapping Activity: Strengthen your students’ geographical and historical understanding with a map-based exercise. Provide them a blank map of the United States and have them locate and label each camp. Afterward, initiate discussions on why certain states were chosen as sites for the internment camps.
2. Personal Narratives: Assign students to research personal stories from people who lived in these camps. This exercise helps add depth to the history lesson, humanizing it, and making it relatable to students.
3. Collaborative Projects: Divide your students into different groups, each assigned to research one of the ten camps in-depth. They can present their findings through PowerPoint presentations, posters, or multimedia projects.
4. Analyzing Historical Photographs: Use photographs from the internment camps as primary sources for students to analyze. This visual approach aids in understanding the living conditions and emotions during this tumultuous period.
5. Field Trips: If feasible, plan a visit with your class to a nearby internment camp location or a museum that displays related exhibits. Students will gain first-hand experience of the sites’ dimensions while interacting with available resources, people knowledgeable about the history, and multimedia exhibits.
