Under the Blood Red Sun
A Web Quest for fifth Grade
Introduction:
Under the Blood Red Sun, winner of numerous awards, including the 1994 Scott
O'Dell Award, is a historical fiction novel by Graham Salisbury. In the setting of
Hawaii during World War II, we are introduced to a Japanese American family, the
Nakajis. They face many struggles as their neighbors question their loyalty to
America. This web quest will provide an opportunity to better understand World War
II, the Japanese culture, and the struggles faced by Japanese Americans in the 1940s.
Contents
Scroll down and Look at each of the activities. Choose which activities interest you
the most.
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Pearl Harbor: Interview and timeline
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Japanese Culture: Create a poster
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Internment Camps: Write a letter to a friend
Pearl Harbor
You are now a reporter trying to find information about World War II. You are to
interview a family member, or friend who was alive during this time period. Find
out everything that you can about the War, including specific events which led up to
the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
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Create at least seven (7) questions for your interview.
Use these questions as examples and write 4 questions of your own.
Where did you live during the war?
How old were you when the bombing of Pearl Harbor occurred?
What changes occurred in American during the war?
How did you feel about the war?
Once you have collected your information create a timeline about the events which
led to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, starting with the Nazi invasion of Poland.
Check out these websites for assistance:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/pearl/index.htm
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/7330-the-history-of-pearl-harbor
Japanese Culture Display
After you finish reading chapter 4, consider this project:
The Japanese culture influenced Tomi's family, particularly his grandfather. What do
you know about the Japanese culture? Explore this website to learn more about Japan
including food, art, history, and tradition.
http://www.japan-guide.com
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
search Japan
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/countries/japan.html
Make a poster that shows different aspects of the Japanese culture and explain them.
Include Japanese style of clothing, types of food, traditions, language, and
anything else that you find interesting. Remember to look for some Japanese words
that you may have noticed in the novel!
Internment Camps
Following the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor, American distrust of the Japanese
Americans grew. As a result of the hostile relations many Japanese Americans were
placed in relocation camps throughout the United States. Tomi's father was one of the
thousands placed in these camps. Using the following websites and your book,
pretend that you are in one of these camps and write a letter to a friend. Describe
feelings and conditions of the environment. Make sure that factual information is
developed along with some creativity in your letter. Remember to include the
following in your letter:
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Write three paragraphs. Each paragraph should have at least five sentences.
Write the letter in first person. This letter is about you!
You may make up a name for yourself and be sure to include your feelings and
descriptions of the camp.
Check out these websites for your information:
http://www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/harmony/exhibit/
http://www.pbs.org/childofcamp/history/index.html?PHPSESSID=032e01e0d9275e2e1d447e60
4074cc9c
Evaluation
Under the Blood Red Sun Rubric
Excellent (10-9)
Good (8-7)
Organization
Accuracy
Writing
Mechanics
Creativity
Neatness
Needs Improvement (6-0)
Project is very well
organized, presented in a
logical, sequencial order.
Some sequence and order is
present.
Project lacks logical or
sequential order throughout.
All information that is
presented is correct.
Most information presented
is correct.
Little or no information
presented is correct.
Less than 3 errors in
Between 3-6 errors in
More than 6 errors in grammar
grammar and spelling. Letter
grammar and spelling.
and spelling. Letter has less than
includes 3 paragraphs of 5 Letter has 10-15 sentences,
10 sentences, is not written in
sentences each, is written in
is written in first person,
first person, and does not include
first person, describes
and gives minimal
sufficient descriptions of feelings
feelings, and gives
descriptions of feelings and
and the camp.
descriptions.
the camp.
Ideas are presented in a
unique and interesting
manner.
Project is well done, but
lacks a unique, creative
format.
Ideas presented in an unexciting
manner.
Neatness throughout project
goes above and beyond
expectations.
Project is easy to read and
clear. Artwork matches
minimum expectations.
Project is difficult to read and
artwork is poorly prepared.
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Conclusion
Way to go!! As a result of completing this web quest, you should have a clearer understanding
of World War II (especially Pearl Harbor), Japanese culture, and the treatment of Japanese
Americans during this time period (relocation camps). Hopefully you have also brushed up on
your internet researching skills.