So+Far+From+the+Sea

Eve Bunting (1998) Houghton Mifflin Company. Chris K. Soentpiet, illistrator. This book is a beautiful, informative, and poignant picture book that tells the story of a family going to visit the grave of their grandfather, who died at the Manzanar Relocation Center during World War II. Chris Soentpiet is the illustrator, and just like in //Coolies//, his drawings convey a wealth of historical information. Historically, the basics of the whys and hows of the Japanese internment are explained in this story.
 * Bunting, //So Far From the Sea//,** [[image:1 so-far-from-the-sea.jpg]]
 * __Grade: __** 2**__Theme: __** People working together**__Topic: __** Heritage**__Content Statement: __** 4. Biographies can show peoples actions have shaped the world in which we live.

//So Far From the Sea Reinforcing Activity//

Split the students into small groups and ask them to reflect upon the story together:


 * How did this story make you feel?
 * Can you relate to any of the characters? Which ones and why?

Give about 10-15 minutes for discussion, The teacher should then read the book again. this time only showing the illustrations to the class. This will allow the students to see what the illustrator was visualizing as the story progresses.

Now, the teacher should have the students pretend as though they are one of the characters from the story. Either Tomas, Dad, Mom, Grandfather or Laura.

Students should write in their reading journals a response to one of the following prompts:


 * 1) How does it make you feel that your family was taken to the internment camp? What would you do in this situation?
 * 2) Imagine that you have been in the internment camp for 2 years and your grandfather has passed away describe your frustration with the situation?
 * 3) In what ways do you think this was fair?/unfair? could there be any just cause for having your family in a camp like this? describe your feelings?
 * 4) After you were released when the war is over do you think you will harbor bad feelings to the people who did this to you? why or why not.

Students should take their time with the journal entries and provide substantial detail from the text or prior/ extended knowledge. When they are done writing ask them to draw/create a visual aid that relates to their journal entry.

This lends its self great for a presentation for the wrap up of the activity. Have each student read a section of their journal and explain their visual aid to the class.