How Did I Choose My Topic?
Last year (2012-2013) we learned about Japanese-American Internment in school. I found it almost crazy how the United States government deprived 120,000 Americans of their rights. I chose to focus on Topaz because one of the books I checked out from the library was a memoir of someone who went to Topaz. It had a lot of information and made Topaz sound like an interesting place to make a project on.
How Did I Conduct My Research?
I started my research on the computer. I found several secondary source websites with good information. Then I went back and looked at a website my teacher showed us when we first learned about the internment. Next I went to our school library. I found that there were several books I could use there. I chose two and got started. I also found two encyclopedias with articles on the internment. Later, I found online interviews, online documents, and a memoir. I took my notes and wrote down citations in the Google Doc I used to make this website.
How Did I choose My Category and create my Project?
I have made several websites or website pages for school before and every time I learn something new. I like the way that websites are interactive and can include text, pictures, audio, and video. I had never used Weebly before, so it was difficult to figure out at first, but once I did it was pretty fun.
I started my website with the Home page. I wrote my thesis and when I saw the "Welcome to Topaz" picture, I knew it would be a great starting picture. Then I chose my theme and experimented with colors. I found the sandy background picture and thought it would put the audience in mind of a desert, such as where Topaz was. I wrote the rest of my information, then found pictures to go along with it. I found I had too many words, so I had to go back and narrow it down. I created a glossary. Then I edited everything with both my parents and my teacher, getting advice and spell checking each time.
I started my website with the Home page. I wrote my thesis and when I saw the "Welcome to Topaz" picture, I knew it would be a great starting picture. Then I chose my theme and experimented with colors. I found the sandy background picture and thought it would put the audience in mind of a desert, such as where Topaz was. I wrote the rest of my information, then found pictures to go along with it. I found I had too many words, so I had to go back and narrow it down. I created a glossary. Then I edited everything with both my parents and my teacher, getting advice and spell checking each time.
How Does My Project Adhere to the Theme?
My project relates to the theme Rights and Responsibilities in several ways. The many Japanese-Americans interned at Topaz were denied their rights for several years. The United States government has a responsibility not to let that happen. They have a responsibility to protect the rights of everyone in America. The Secretary of War and his chosen military commanders also had responsibilities. They were supposed to provide all necessities for those interned at the camps, but they did not do that well. My project focused on how the rights of those interned were violated and how responsibilities were ignored.