Book

Farewell to Manzanar

Uprooted from their home, Seven-year-old Jeanne Wakatsuki and her family were sent to live at Manzanar internment camp with ten thousand other Japanese Americans in 1942.

Last Updated: May 12, 2020

Book

Language

English — US

Subject

Civics & Citizenship
English & Language Arts
History

Human & Civil Rights

Jeanne Wakatsuki was seven years old in 1942 when her family was uprooted from their home and sent to live at Manzanar internment camp with ten thousand other Japanese Americans. Farewell to Manzanar is the true story of her family’s attempt to survive the indignities caused by forced detention, and of a native-born American child who discovered what it was like to grow up behind barbed wire in the United States. Facing History & Ourselves has developed a study guide to accompany this book.

View or download the Farewell to Manzanar study guide

Farewell to Manzanar

Date of Publication: November 1973

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Lesson

Students develop their understanding of the character Gerald, exploring the differences between his treatment of Eva/Daisy and Sheila, whilst reflecting on Edwardian gender expectations.

Lesson

Students reflect on Priestley’s portrayal of Eva Smith and consider the symbolism of having a character who only appears in the narrative second-hand.

Woman educator of color reads to the classroom.

Lesson

Students explore the moral codes of the world of the play, before being introduced to the concept of a universe of obligation and participating in a debate on workers’ rights.

A sketch by Boardman Robinson of the New York Tribune depicting a miner emerging out of the earth with a pick axe and head seeking the light above.

Assessment

Students write a persuasive letter to a local newspaper, which outlines the importance of considering the needs of others and suggests ways to create a more caring community.

Assessment

Students write a persuasive letter to Parliament concerning the gig economy, having reviewed persuasive devices, generated claims and content, and read a model letter.

Assessment

Students write a persuasive speech for sixth-form students on the importance of consent, having reviewed persuasive devices, generated claims and content, and read a model paragraph.

Unit

Use this unit to transform how you teach J.B. Priestley's play and support your students in becoming effective writers, critical thinkers, and socially responsible citizens, who excel in their GCSEs.

Assessment

Students write an analytical paragraph on character having generated claims, selected evidence and read a model paragraph.

Assessment

Students write an essay on character having generated claims, selected and annotated evidence, and read a model essay.

Lesson

Students consider what factors impacted Mrs Birling’s treatment of Eva Smith, and create a universe of obligation graphic representation for her character.

Students sitting in groups in a classroom

Lesson

Students consider the role power plays in the interactions between characters, focusing on the relationship between Eric and Eva, before discussing consent.

Lesson

Students explore social inequality in the UK, discussing how an individual’s background can impact their opportunities before examining graphs that display social inequality and employment trends.

Heads of shoppers and commuters in a busy urban street scene.

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Farewell to Manzanar

At a Glance

Language

Subject

Farewell to Manzanar

Borrow

You might also be interested in…

Analysing Gerald’s Character

Bearing Witness to Eva Smith

The Cost of Labour

Persuasive Writing: A Letter to a Newspaper for a Caring Community

Persuasive Writing: A Letter to Parliament

Persuasive Writing: A Speech about Consent

Teaching An Inspector Calls

Analytical Writing: A Character Paragraph

Analytical Writing: The GCSE Character Essay

Understanding Mrs Birling

Eric's Decisions and Consent

Exploring Social Inequality

Farewell to Manzanar

At a Glance

Language

Subject

Farewell to Manzanar

Borrow

You might also be interested in…

Analysing Gerald’s Character

Bearing Witness to Eva Smith

The Cost of Labour

Persuasive Writing: A Letter to a Newspaper for a Caring Community

Persuasive Writing: A Letter to Parliament

Persuasive Writing: A Speech about Consent

Teaching An Inspector Calls

Analytical Writing: A Character Paragraph

Analytical Writing: The GCSE Character Essay

Understanding Mrs Birling

Eric's Decisions and Consent

Exploring Social Inequality

Inspiration, insights, & ways to get involved