Assignment 7.Cameron Kluttz

I really enjoyed reading the Weedflower. I feel this book has a lot of themes or topics you can use in the classroom. First and foremost, this would be a perfect start to a lesson on Pearl Harbor. As a teacher you can teach all details about the attack on Pearl Harbor, and also how so many people's lives changed after this day. The Weedflower and the main character, Sumiko, is a great way to easily explain Pearl Harbor because the character gives students someone to relate to. Sumiko and her family endured a lot after the attack because everyone thought that she was an enemy just because she was Japanese. Another great topic to discuss with your classroom would be about friendship with others even if they are not exactly like you. All children need to understand that everyone can become best friends even if they have different background or ethnicity. A perfect example of this topic is the friendship of Sumiko and Frank, the Mohave Indian boy. They have a connection because of Sumiko living on the Indian reservation and the flowers; which ended up being a big theme throughout the book. Last but not least, I would discuss with my classroom about how to treat others. I would want each student to understand what Sumiko and her family had to endure even though they did nothing wrong. This book has a lot of great topics and themes to teach to children and I would for sure use this award-winning text in my classroom.