Introduction

What's the meaning of life? Why is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Is meat murder? These are the kinds of questions that ask people to look beneath the surface of everyday thinking. This kind of deeper thinking is called reflecting or introspection (looking within). The purpose of the following activity is to get you to reflect on the topic of Japanese American Inernment Camps. But instead of just asking you to begin reflecting, we've found that the Internet has something to say on the subject. You'll use the Web to get your mind wrapped around the topic. Then you'll be given hints and ideas to help you extend your reflection. If you want an idea on how the quality of reflection can be assessed, read this evaluation rubric. But most of all, follow the twists and turns of your thinking.

The Opening Occasion

Events have occurred in world history which with hindsight we can either celebrate or criticize. The key is to investigate history and learn from the past in order to ensure a bright future. The web provides us with an opportunity to delve into the past and look at a number of resources to assist us in evaluating decisions which have been made and their impact.

Investigate the web sites that are listed, then write a description of the insight you have gained into Japanese Internment Camps. Key issues to consider may be: Reasons for internment, conditions in camps, impact on those who lived in the camps.

Highlighting the Abstraction

Looking more deeply at the description you just wrote, find the abstract idea that is at the heart of your reflection. In other words, what Big Idea, Truth of Emotion are you really writing about. Examples include things like 'happiness,' 'honesty,' 'equality,' 'love,' and 'friendship.' Write a short paragraph that explains and highlights an abstraction you want to draw out of your opening occasion.

The Second Reflection

Not everything is as we first think. There are always different views of historical events and our job is to consider both before we judge. Try looking at an opposite view of the abstraction you've been reflecting on. Once you can see (perhaps through the Web) how this topic can be viewed differently, write another healthy paragraph that explores this different 'truth' or opposing viewpoint.

Relocation of Japanese American

My life in an Internment Camp

Camp Life

Of Civil Rights and Wrongs

Fred Korematsu was probably never more American than when he resisted, and then challenged in court, the forced internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Finding a Universal Truth

You began describing one example of Japanese American Inernment Camps and went on to pull out one abstract idea or emotion to focus on. Further reflection showed how truths can sometimes look different than we might expect. Now comes the time to look at the big picture and share what you believe is the universal truth, the one that's most always true. Keep the deep thinking going and avoid the temptation to come up with a quick and easy answer. These are hardly ever accurate. Write out your ideas in a short paragraph.

Conclusion

At the beginning of this activity, you were invited to look at an evaluation rubric and told to follow the twists and turns of your thinking. You've done this by looking closely at an important aspect of the human condition. But reflection works best when the writer also looks at his or her own thought processes. We're not so interested in the 'answer' you came up with as seeing how your mind worked through the process. In the final paragraph, show us the highlights of what went on in your mind that guided your reflection. At what points did the lights go on? When did it seem confusing? What led your to your final universal truth?

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created by Lisa Hayman email: hayman.lisa@bssc.edu.au http://web-and-flow.com/members/lhayman/japan/reflector.htm