I missed the first session due to miscommunication.
Our 12th grade Political Studies needed a chaperon for their field trip. We loaded all the students and took a quick drive to 1st and Central in Los Angeles, located inside Little Toyko. We entered the National Center for The Preservation of Democracy building, which is located across from Japanese American National Museum. If you have funding available and the opportunity I strongly suggest you take your students.
The students begin their trip by answering a series of questions such as: What is an American? Who is has rights in this country? As the students write their response, the museum guides prepare the exhibit in the other room. The room is amazing; I believe we are inside of an old temple. The room has the original wood beams, the original painting on the walls—it just feels like a special place from the past. Students along with the clipboards the museum provides, enter the room of where they will learn about various individual who fought for their rights, for democracy. The hands on activity, guides students to meet various people such as: Hector Garcia who is Mexican American and fight for equal rights in education, Frances Slanger the nurse who helped soldiers around during WWII, Hazel Ying Lee Chinese American who fought gender roles by being one of the few to fly and help the WWII efforts in China. The activity uses various mediums such as video, sound, images, posters, propaganda, and newspaper clipping to present the information. What is great about this exhibit is that every day individuals are represented in all ethnicities, all fighting for their right and for democracy the foundation of this country. I strongly recommend you visit National Center for The Preservation of Democracy and they provide a great support for classroom.
.
