BDA: So Far From the Bamboo Grove

These are Before, During, and After activities for So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kwashima:

Before You Begin Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Write down everything you know about Japan (history, location, culture, pop culture). Write a minimum of half a page.


2. What do you know about Japan’s role during World War II? Write a minimum of half a page.


3. Have you ever had to move to a new city or town? Describe what happened. Why did you move? Where did you move? How different was the new place? How did it feel to move? Write a minimum of half a page.


4. Think of a family member (or another person) who you know you can always count on. What makes you feel like you can count on this person? Write a minimum of half a page.


5. Have you ever had to be very brave? What were the circumstances? What happened? Write a minimum of half a page.

While You Are Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Write a journal entry from Ko’s point of view at the end of each chapter. Do you think Ko saw events differently than Yoko?


2. Draw a map of Japan and Korea. As you read, plot the story events where they occurred on the map.


3. Make a historical timeline of world events affecting Yoko’s family (Japan ruling Korea, World War II, etc.). Plot events from the book on the timeline.


4. Create a postcard at the end of each chapter that represents what happened or how the characters are feeling. You can draw a card or make a collage from pictures and words you cut out. Write a minimum of two sentences explaining each postcard.


5. Keep a Reading Reaction Journal. At the end of each chapter write at least half a page discussing what you think about what happened.

When You Have Finished Reading…
Complete one of the following activities.

1. Research and write a report on one of the following. The report should be a minimum of two pages.
   
   • Japan’s colonization of Korea
   
   
   • The Korean War
   
   
   • Japanese traditional dance
   
   
   • Japan after World War II


2. Haiku are Japanese poetry. Usually they are written about nature. Write a minimum of 5 haikus about the events in the story.
   

   The form of haiku is:
   1st line – 5 syllables
   2nd line – 7 syllables
   3rd line – 5 syllables



3. Research and perform a traditional Japanese dance.


4. Write a possible next chapter for the story.


5. Write an obituary for each character that died in the story. (An obituary is a brief biography of the deceased.)