My students are from a blue collar town in central Vermont. The town itself has been a little hard on its luck the last few years, especially with the impact of Opioids on the community. By and large, my students have thirst to learn. We cover Current Events, Geography, Economics, Politics, but especially History in class.
No topic engages kids as intensely and consistently as the study of the Second World War.
My Students are pulled in by the human element of the war more than anything. Stories of survival, of courage and betrayal. This is why the study of the war is so captivating for my students. It is the best of humanity and the worst of humanity. My hope is to provide a higher quality unit on the Second World War.
My Project
I am requesting copies of George Takei's amazing Graphic Novel, "They Called Us Enemy". This moving account provides students the perspective of a young Japanese-American family during their internment at Santa Anita Racetrack, and the camps at Tule Lake and Rohwer.
During a time in American history where the subjects of identity and immigration are at the forefront of national discussions, it is important to reflect back on past experiences.
This book, which is engaging, informative, and heartfelt, will provide students a window into the ever evolving questions of what it means to be an American, and who gets to be an American. These are questions we have always grappled with, and are certainly doing so currently. I feel that Takei's book is the perfect way to engage students, teach them content, humanize the subject, and bring them into a broader discussion around race, immigration and the Constitution.
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