GRIT Lesson Plans

The project is designed to be implemented in the classroom over three 45-minute sessions.

Click to download complete lesson plans and materials as pdf.

Highlights

Session One – The Play, GRIT

Aim:  Introduce the WWII Japanese American story, raise awareness and prompt curiosity.

Guiding Question:  What should the country do to preserve our security?

GRIT video:

 

Session Two - World War II Focus

Aim:  Explore issues of constitutionality and the Japanese American incarceration.

Guiding Question:  Should wartime affect Americans' civil liberties?

1. Learning from People Who Experienced Incarceration: Three Oral History Interviews

Worksheet for students:  Color-Symbol-Word

Grace Hata  was incarcerated at Manzanar in California.  Her interview was recorded 3/16/12. (See transcript

 

Mits Koshiyama  was incarcerated at Heart Mountain in Wyoming.  His interview was recorded 7/14/01. (See transcript)

 

Frank Isamu Kikuchi was incarcerated at Manzanar in California.  His interview was recorded 11/6/02. (See transcript)

 

2. Develop a Character

See student work samples

 

Session Three - Injustice Today

Aim:  Identify injustices in the play and connect them to issues today.

Guiding Question:  Are all Americans treated equally?

Develop a scene about a contemporary issue.