Going to School in Manzanar
While living in the camps, children still had to attend school, just as they would have done had they not been forced into the camps. They had classrooms and teachers, only now their classmates where all fellow Japanese American students. Though all incarcerated, they were still having to take chemistry class, English class, math class etc. Life went on. Even if that meant it had to go on inside the camps.
In addition to this, many of their parents still had to work, meaning school (kindergarten – 12th grade) was a way for their kids to remain occupied and academically inclined. Manzanar had many school facilities, and it has been noted that school was more challenging within the camps because their classmates, all being Japanese American, were competing with each other as they were all used to having to work harder than their white classmates. Nevertheless, school was a way for kids to grow and learn in the camps, and they even had organized graduations during their time there.
BLOCK 14 CLASSROOM
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ACTIVITY 3:
How would it make you feel to have to continue to do schooling at Manzanar? How might that affect your work ethic? Would school in camp make you work harder and want to learn more, or would it make you feel less motivated to go to school? Write a short paragraph and tell us what concerns or problems might come up for you.
EARN THIS PATCH!
How it works? This is a one of a kind patch created by a girl scout, but intended for everyone around the globe. Take part in 3 or more of the activities. Once you’re ready, click the button below and submit your work. A patch will be delivered to your door! We are grateful you’ve taken the time. What I hope more than anything is that you will tell others to take the virtual Journey to Manzanar, share what you’ve learned, and become an ambassador, like me, to this very important part of our American story.