2.4.7-27-28 Content

​Content-Ch. 27 & 28 TSWS
Lesson 2.4.7

By Lauren Rullo

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Lesson Overview:

• compare and contrast character development and changes after the bombings

Warm-Up

Practice making inferences on the following page.

Read the paragraph.

Use text clues and what you know to make an inference.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentences below.

Snowflakes drifted past the frosted window as Mia pulled her scarf tighter. The street outside was quiet, except for the crunch of boots on fresh snow. She glanced at the clock—6:45 a.m.—and sighed, grabbing her backpack before heading out the door.

What can you infer about Mia’s situation?

• Mia is excited to spend the day sledding with friends.

• Mia is preparing to go to school on a cold winter morning.

• Mia is waiting for a snowstorm to cancel her plans.

Previously, you learned that Project Fu-Go was not as successful as the Japanese had hoped. Only 1,000 out of 9,000 balloons made it to the U.S. and only one cause significant damager (Bly, Oregon).

​The people of the United States were unaware of Japan's balloons because U.S. officials had placed a gag order (legal restriction on sharing information) on the media. They did this for two reasons:

• to prevent Japan from learning what effect, if any, their attack had; and

• to prevent country-wide panic. 

​Engage

​Since no one knew about the balloons, when Mrs. Mitchell and the children stumbled upon one in the woods, they were curious rather than frightened. After the explosion in Bly, officials decided to lift the gag order.

Do you agree or disagree with the decision to keep the information about Project Fu-Go a secret from the public?

Poll

Do you agree or disagree with the decision to keep the information about Project Fu-Go a secret from the public?

• I agree with the decision.

• I disagree with the decision.

Recall what happened in the previous chapters...

Pāru stops by Tamiko's home with fresh eel. Tamiko's aunt and Pāru discuss how Japan will lose the war, and Tamiko comments that they already have. She leaves to go look for Suki. She prays that if she finds Suki safe, she will make 10,000 paper cranes to atone for the 10,000 bombs. Suki's neighborhood is all but destroyed. Tamiko breaks down, believing that Suki has died. A neighbor tells her that Suki and her family are safe in the farmlands.

Ch. 28

Bly holds a town meeting in the gymnasium. The naval officers who arrived after the explosion finally explain what really happened. They tell the town about Japan's balloon bombs and the gag order on the media. Everyone is upset with the news. One officer tells them that they are bombing Japan in retaliation. At first, Nellie struggles with the news, but then cheers with the rest of the town.

​Ch. 27

Falling Action

Recall that the falling action is made up of events that lead to the resolution of a story. It is typically used to clear up the events of the climax and ease the tension.

In the falling action of Nellie's story, Nellie and her town are beginning to grapple with the aftermath of the balloon bomb. Due to the nature of the event, there could still be tension, but the events are leading to the final resolution.

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​Analyze

Conflict

This passage reveals Nellie's internal conflict between compassion and loyalty. On one hand, she feels empathy for the suffering of people in Japanese villages, recognizing the devastation of war because she has lived through it. On the other hand, Nellie's personal connections and shared anger with her town make her question her own ability to forgive.

The contrast between the pastor’s teachings of mercy and the town’s celebration of destruction highlights Nellie's inner struggle. Nellie's ability to feel empathy for others is at odds with her anger about her friends' deaths and her desire for revenge.

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​Analyze

Multiple Choice

What is the main source of Nellie’s internal conflict in the passage?

• She struggles to understand the pastor's teachings about mercy.

• She feels torn between empathy for suffering villagers and anger over her friends' deaths.

• She is unsure whether the town will forgive her for questioning their celebration.

Part of Tamiko's falling action is further understanding the effects of the war. Her aunt and Paru don't understand the guilt she is feeling for her role in the bombs.

​​Falling Action

Paper cranes symbolize peace and healing. By creating paper cranes, Tamiko hopes she can put good back into the world.

Symbolism

In 1987, a group of former Japanese schoolgirls who had been forced to build the balloons, sent 1,000 paper cranes with letters of apology to the town of Bly.

Paper Cranes

​Ch. 28 Key Takeaways...

Multiple Choice

How have both Nellie's and Tamiko's perspectives changed after the bombings?

• Both Nellie and Tamiko became more committed to supporting their countries' war efforts.

• Both Nellie and Tamiko grew more resentful and blamed the enemy even more.

• Both Nellie and Tamiko realized the human cost of war and developed empathy for the other side.

Summary

​Today:

In this lesson, you:

• compared and contrasted the characters' development and changes after the bombings.

In a future lesson, you will read Chapter 29. As you read, think about the inquiry question: Why are we responsible for representing history through multiple lenses?