Education

This collection of lesson plans and supplementary materials is designed to help teachers introduce students to the history of Japanese American incarceration during World War II. The lessons are built around primary sources, interactive maps, and other resources available on the Rising Above in Arkansas website. While the lessons introduce Japanese American incarceration with a broader national context, they place special emphasis on the people, events, and experiences of those who were incarcerated at Rohwer and Jerome in Arkansas.

For better flexibility and accessibility, the lessons are organized into two categories: Introductory Lessons and Lessons for Expanding Understanding. Introductory Lessons are intended for students who are new to the subject, while Lessons for Expanding Understanding build upon existing knowledge and provide opportunities to explore specific topics in greater depth. Lessons also vary in length and scope, allowing teachers to mix and match activities based on their students’ needs, existing knowledge, and the amount of class time available. The lesson plans are aligned with the Arkansas Academic Standards for Education in U.S. History, Arkansas History, Geography, and English and Literacy. Whether used as a brief introduction, a focused lesson, or part of a longer unit, the collection is designed to give teachers multiple pathways for examining this important chapter in U.S. history.

Presentations are also available from a professional development workshop held by the Rising Above team titled “Interactive History: Digital Classroom Resources and Lesson Plans for Teaching Japanese American Incarceration.” These presentations are made available for teachers to adapt and use in their classrooms, providing additional resources to help introduce students to the topic of Japanese American incarceration.

Introductory Lessons

Lessons for Expanding Understanding

Presentations