An Untold Triumph
The Story of the 1st & 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, U.S. Army

 

LEVELS  9th -12th Grade

 

GOALS

Students will examine and analyze the history and experience of Filipinos in Hawaii and California. Students will identify the contributions of Filipino Americans to the US war effort in World War II.

 

TIME

Two class periods (two days of one-hour class periods) or one long class period (two hours).

 

FORMAT

  1. First hour/first class period. Preview of video, note-taking, class discussion, class exercise, and student assessment.
  2. Second hour/second class period. Preview of video, note-taking, class discussion, class exercise, and student assessment.

 

MATERIALS. “An Untold Triumph” video, chalk board, paper, pencils/pens.

 

READINGS. Available online from the website’s “Timeline.”

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  1. Students will examine and identify the key historical events in Filipino American history.
  2. Students will examine and analyze the historical context [causes] of Filipino American migration to Hawaii and California.
  3. Students will analyze the social and economic context [causes] of prejudice and racism directed against Filipinos.
  4. Students will identify the contributions of Filipinos to the US war effort in World War II.

 

PROCEDURE

  1. DAY ONE/FIRST HOUR. Instructor will hand out Video Exercise sheet. The handout will guide students towards the documentary’s key points. The Handout will bring attention to Filipino American immigration, World War II, and Creating the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments. [See attachment: “VIDEO EXERCISE ONE: Video Exercise Handout”]
  2. Students will watch 15 minutes of Documentary and use the Video Exercise Handout to take notes. Prior to class, instructor will preview the documentary and choose relevant segments in the first half of the film.
  3. Under the instructor’s guidance, students will identify, analyze, and discuss the historical context [causes] of Filipino immigration, Philippine involvement in World War II, and the formation of the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments. The instructor will write these items and concepts on the board. 
  4. Instructors will utilize the accompanying website as a resource for class readings and in creating a lecture on the History of Filipino American immigration and the creation of the Filipino American regiments.
  5. Critical/Analytic Essay. Students will write a 400 word essay on these topics:
    1. “The Causes of Filipino Migration to Hawaii and California”. In your answer, make sure you (a) explain the role of US colonialism in the Philippine and (b) the economic context of Filipino migration.
    2. “The Creation of the Filipino American Regiments”. In your answer, make sure you describe (a) why Filipinos were not able to serve in the regular US Army, (b) a brief history of the formation of the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, and (c) life in their training camps in California.
  6. DAY TWO/SECOND HOUR. Instructor will hand out Video Exercise sheet. The handout will guide students towards the documentary’s key points. The Handout will bring attention to Filipino communities in Hawaii & California, Prejudice & Discrimination, and Important Contributions. [See attachment: “VIDEO EXERCISE TWO: Video Exercise Handout”]
  7. Students will watch 15 minutes of Documentary and use the Video Exercise Handout to take notes. Prior to class, instructor will preview the documentary and choose relevant segments in the last half of the film.
  8. Under the instructor’s guidance, students will identify and examine the historical context of Filipino American communities in Hawaii and California, prejudice & racism faced by Filipinos during World War II, and the important contributions of Filipino American World War II veterans.
  9. Instructors will utilize the accompanying website as a resource for class readings and in creating a lecture on the contributions of Filipino American veterans.
  10. Critical/Analytic Essay. Students will write a 400 word essay on one of these topics.
    1. “Comparing Filipino American Communities in Hawaii and California”. In your answer, make sure you (a) describe what jobs/employment Filipinos had in these communities, (b) the role of women in these communities, and (c) how their social status affected the creation of Filipino families.
    2. “The Important Roles of Filipino American Soldiers in World War II”. In your answer, make sure you describe (a) their general assignments in the Pacific and (b) the special missions Filipino Americans performed.

 

ASSESSMENT

  1. Students will be evaluated through the “Video Exercise Sheet and assessed on their written and note-taking skills.
  2. Students will be evaluated through their essay and assessed on their written, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

 

 

Lesson Plan Development Team

  • James Sobredo, Ph.D., Ethnic Studies, UC-Berkeley.
    • Assistant Professor, Ethnic Studies Department, Asian American Studies Program. California State University, Sacramento.
  • Linda Revilla, Ph.D., Psychology, UCLA
    • Research Investigator, Asian/Pacific Islander Youth Violence Prevention Center. School of Medicine, University of Hawaii-Manoa.
  • This lesson fulfills several of the National Standards for History: “United States History Standards for Grades 5-12 [Era 8: Standards 3A & 3C]”.