Resiliency in
Farewell to
Manzanar
By
Karen Craig
English 11
Materials
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Copies of Farewell to Manzanar
Computers with Internet access
Reading Response Journals
Pens
Writing Assignment
INTRODUCTION
What is resiliency?
Well…. Have you ever had a major problem in
your life and part of you wanted to run and hide
from this problem, but instead you dug in and
worked out the problem?
That is being Resilient.
Qualities of a Resilient Person
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Possess Problem Solving Skills and Coping
Strategies
Have an Optimistic view of life
Approach life from a proactive perspective
Feel like they can control their environment
Possess a sense of humor
Are able to empathize with others
Before Reading:
We can see resiliency in action through the
novel of Farewell to Manzanar.
Farewell to Manzanar is the story of the Watatuski
family during the time of the Japanese Internment.
Find out more about the Japanese Internment by
completing the Scavenger Hunt and putting your
answers in your journal. Click here.
During Reading:
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Read Part I of Farewell to Manzanar.
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Choose one of the following characters to follow
throughout the story and in your journal keep a running
track on any resilient qualities that that character
portrays.
Jeanne, Mama, Papa, Woody
Answer the following questions in your journal about
Part I Click here for questions
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During Reading continued….
Read Book II Chapter 12-21
During this part of the book the family shows many ways that
they are resilient. In your journal, write a paragraph on how
your character continues to show resiliency. Give at least three
examples of the character’s resilience. *
Click here to answer questions based on Book II, put answers in
your journal
* If necessary, refer to qualities of a resilient person.
Post Reading Activities
Haiku Poetry
Haiku Poetry is a form of poetry developed by the
Japanese.
Click here to learn more about Haiku and read some
poems.
Then staying with your character and the idea of
resiliency, try to write a haiku about your character.
You may either post it on the web site or write it in
your journals.
Beyond Reading
Choose one of the following options to extend your knowledge of
resiliency in the Japanese culture. For each writing assignment,
include where you see resiliency.
 Watch the movie, Snow Falling on Cedars and write a review of
the movie as if you were critiquing it for the school newspaper
 Read the poem “Sleep in the Mojave Desert” by Sylvia Plath and
write a reaction paper to this poem.
 Read the essay I remember Pearl Harbor: Dealing with the
‘Problem Race’’ by Charles Shiro Inouye and find out why the
writer considers the bill for reparation to the internees a significant
milestone in our nation’s history.
RUBRICS
Before Reading
5- Students will complete the entire
scavenger hunt
4- Students will complete 6-7
questions of the scavenger hunt
3- Students will complete 5-4
questions of the scavenger hunt
2- Students will complete 3-2
questions of the scavenger hunt
1- Students will answer 0-1
questions of the scavenger hunt
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During Reading
5- Students will complete 100% of
the questions
4- Students will complete more
that 75% of the questions
3- Students will complete at least
50% of the questions
2- Students will complete at least
25% of the questions
1- Students will complete at least
10% of the questions
Rubrics continued….
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After Reading
5- Haiku poem related to overall theme,
has fresh words, creates a vivid
image and follows the 5-7-5 format
4- Haiku somewhat related to the
theme, a few fresh words and follows
the 5-7-5 format
3- Haiku’s theme is a stretch, ordinary
words, follows the 5-7-5 format
2- Haiku is a bit vague, ordinary words
almost follows the 5-7-5 format
1- Haiku is completely unrelated,
inappropriate word choice and did
not follow the 5-7-5 format
Beyond Reading
5- Submits a paper completely free of
grammatical errors, follows the 5 sentence
paragraph format and completely
addresses the question
4- Submits a paper free of errors, follows the
5 paragraph format, but does not address
the subject thoroughly
3- Submits a paper with 3-5 errors, does not
completely follow the 5 paragraph format
and somewhat addressed the topic
2- Submits a paper with 5-8 errors, not
following the 5 paragraph format, and
somewhat addressed th topic
1- Submits a paper with 10 or more errors,
not following the 5 paragraph format and
not on topic.
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