I have been taking my students to the Japanese American National Museum for the last seven years. They actually give grants to schools to waive the admission fee and sometimes even help pay for buses. My students learn so much from this field trip, from Japanese culture and art to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Also, you can take your students across the street to Little Tokyo to experience Japanese food. They have a Japanese market, sushi restaurants, Japanese bakeries, and Ramen restaurants. I have had students tell me for years that this is one of their favorite high school experiences. Check out the website for details
http://www.janm.org/education/
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Japanese American National Museum
11/30/2014 09:07 AM
#1
Japanese American National Museum
This museum was very informative. I liked the way the Docent described the whole relationship of the Japanese in America, It was interesting to find out that during some times in our history the Japanes worker was protected by their government , If the Japanese did not approve of their pay rate and working conditions they were called home.
Of course the thing that really impressed was their detailed stories of life in a internment camp. I first learned about the camps in my seventh grade history class. I was shocked. I coulsn't understand how I could have been taught this many years of history without hearing a word about this horror we incurred upon the Japanese-American people. I felt I somehow took a right turn and found myself in Germany or Russia. This was not my America. It is important for every child to learn all American history , not just the shiney glossy parts. This museum does just that. However, it does not come at it by , "you horrible nasty Americans did this to us." Instead they reflect that all humans can be capable of great injustices . However, they also can be good and caring. Our Docent told of the many non-Japanese Americans that allowed the Japanese-Americans to sell their houses to them for a minimal amount. This would prevent the government from taking possession of it. Then after they were released from the camps they were given back their homes.
I learned alot from the miniture incampment that had been created at Heart Mountain Buarracks in Wyoming. The Docent told us how the temperature could drop to -32 degrees. Most of these people lived in a warmer climate so they were usually freezing to death. He explained how they could take very few possessions with them and if they needed something they had to make it themselves. Their living spaces were very small and the walls were literally paper. Rain and snow was not kept out. I saw what a herrendous experience this was and knew whatever the government did once they can repeat. Look how ugly things became after 9-11. That is why all Southern Californians should see this museum.
I have been to the Japanese American National Museum many times and I have always enjoyed learning more about the Japanese American experience in East Los Angeles. I have lived in East Los Angeles for most of my life and I remember the older generation of Japanese store owners and neighbors. As the years passed and many of those people died or moved away, I still enjoy finding the few remaining Japanese presences in East Los Angeles. Places like East Los Angeles Flowers on Cesar Chavez, and Haru Florist on First Street are businesses that I like to frequent. Further west on First Street you can find a large Japanese temple and Otomisan Restaurant. Evergreen Cemetery has a large area where many former residents of Los Angeles of Japanese descent are buried.
Dec 13, 2014: holiday themed activities 11-4pm (12 p.m.–3 p.m.: Have your picture taken with Asian American Santa Claus, a JANM tradition! )
Jan 4, 2015: new year (year of the sheep) activities 11-5pm
parking is a pain, but take the metro gold line to the Little Tokyo/Arts District stop, you'll be right across the street from the museum