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Education K-12 > Guam

War in the Pacific National Historical Park Standards’ Based Learning

Historic sites are excellent places for studying local and national events, the impact of people, technological change, and political and social trends. They also teach us how locale, terrain, and climate affect events and lives, and how people shape the environment for their purposes. Pacific Historic Parks produced standards-based curriculum activities for teachers and parents alike to explore these treasured place-based resources with their students and children. Step outside and enjoy the outdoors at War in the Pacific National Historical Park sites, which offer a unique focus for a lesson in history, geography, science, and many other subjects in the school curriculum.

T. Stell Newman Visitor Center

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Unsung Heroes

Throughout the Pacific, islanders were trapped between global warring nations and deeply impacted by a war not of their making. Visit the T. Stell Newman Visitor to learn about Guam Insular Guardsman Pete Cruz, Catholic Priest Jesus Baza Duenas, Educator Agueda I Johnston, and other countless men and women who endured invasion, occupation, and warfare.

Grades 4-5 Social Studies, History

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Guam Guardians

An astounding number of organisms live in and around the park’s reefs. Human impact continues to take a toll on these vulnerable natural resources. Visit the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center to learn how human practices harm the environment and what we can do to help protect our land and waters.

Grades 4-5 Science

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World War II Innovations of Communication

Go on a technological journey to the past! Using T. Stell Newman Visitor Center exhibits, discover the types of technologies used during World War II. Learn about the devices that helped wartime civilians keep abreast of current events, as well as how the famous Navajo Code Talkers used technology to keep one step ahead of Axis powers.
Grades 6-8 Science

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The CHamoru Experience

War in the Pacific National Historical Park commemorates the unique experiences of the CHamoru people during World War II. Visit the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center to discover their stories firsthand. Learn about the tragedy of war and the hope for reconciliation.

Grades 9-12 Guam US World History

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Understanding World War II with Artifacts

The park museum collection of more than 100,000 items includes World War II photographs, artifacts, war memorabilia, and oral histories that help tell the diverse stories of the Pacific War and the war years on Guam. Visit the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center to identify and analyze the artifacts currently on display in the exhibit hall.

Grades 9-12 Guam US World History

Asan Bay Overlook

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Asan Bay Overlook Plaque Analysis

Asan Bay Overlook serves as a memorial to those who lost their lives and of those who suffered atrocities during the war. It features unique bronze sculptures that depict the events on Guam during the Japanese occupation in 1941-1944. Students examine one of the bronze plaques and analyze the symbols found on it to understand the message the artist conveys to park visitors.

Grades 3-5 Social Studies

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Asan Bay Overlook Memorial Wall Stone Rubbing

Observe the etched names of men who bravely fought on the front lines and the names of the civilians who suffered the consequences of nations at war, many paying the ultimate sacrifice. Bring a lead pencil and use this sheet to make a pencil rubbing of a person’s name on the memorial wall of black granite. Take this piece of history home to share with your family or conduct further research about the life of your chosen person.

Grades 6-12 Social Studies Guam US World History

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Battle for Guam

Asan Bay Overlook offers a view of one of the landing beaches used by US Marines during the Battle of Guam in July 1944. Use this worksheet to imagine how the battle played out below on that historic battlefield. Get a bird’s eye view from Asan Bay Overlook to learn about the inland offensive, banzai charges, and the importance of Apra Harbor.

Grades 9-12 Guam US World History Geography

Asan Beach

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Asan Beach Habitats

War in the Pacific National Historical Park protects 1,000 acres of submerged lands and another 800 acres of native limestone forest and savannah grasslands. Visit the park to experience the unique sights and sounds of various habitats found at Asan Beach.

Grades 2-3 Science

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Asan Beach US Landing Monument

During World War II, hillsides and cliffs were used by the Japanese to build defensive structures. Practice analyzing a historical photo of a defense structure found at Asan Beach. Visit the gun emplacement at Asan Point and reflect on how lands and the structures on it change over time.

Grades 6-8 Social Studies

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Asan Beach Gun Emplacement Photo

During World War II, hillsides and cliffs were used by the Japanese to build defensive structures. Practice analyzing a historical photo of a defense structure found at Asan Beach. Visit the gun emplacement at Asan Point and reflect on how lands and the structures on it change over time.

Grades 6-8 Social Studies

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Botanical Blitz

Did you know that in a 2008 survey, approximately 44% of the plant species identified at War in the Pacific National Historical Park are indigenous to Guam and the Marianas Islands? Go on a plant tour along the trail to identify plants and learn about the cultural and medicinal uses of each.

Grades 9-12 Physical Science Biology

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Identifying Marine Life

War in the Pacific National Historical Park contains more species of corals, fish, and invertebrates than any other national park. The biodiversity throughout this park is rarely matched anywhere in the world. Visit the park to discover the different types of marine animals of Asan Beach. Use this worksheet to highlight the differences between cnidarians, mollusks, arthropods, and echinoderms at your park.

Grades 9-12 Physical Science Biology

Ga’an Point

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I-Spy Plant Search

Ga’an Point is home to a variety of native plants, such as Morning Glory flowers, pandanus trees, reeds, and Hibiscus flowers. Use this tally mark and 10-frame worksheet at the park to assist in retaining new information while having fun with collecting and comparing data.

Grades K-1 Math

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Dare to Compare

Start learning about native plant life at Ga’an Point and explore four native plants by using your observational skills to figure out which flower, leaf, or fruit belongs to each plant. Then compare your findings to answer questions about the different traits of each plant.

Grade 1 Science

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Be the Poet

Alongside Ga’an Point’s historical structures are an abundance of tall coconut trees that line the beachfront. The national park service has taken measures against the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle — an invasive beetle which has exhausted this significant cultural and natural resource. See firsthand how this invasive species impacts Guam’s coconut trees. Use this worksheet to practice your observation skills and write a haiku using different senses, descriptive words, and/or literary devices.

Grades 6-8 English Language Arts

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Step Back in Time

Ga’an Point is one of the southern invasion landing sites for American troops on July 21, 1944. Visit this former battle site and transport back in time. The sheet can be completed using the War in the Pacific National Historical Park’s mobile web app, where you can learn about how Japanese soldiers prepared to defend Ga’an Point and visualize one American soldier’s harrowing experience when landing on this very beach. Mobile devices with data required.

Grades 6-8 Social Studies

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Ga’an Point History Hunt

The 1st Provisional Marine Brigade and the 77th Army Infantry Division came ashore at Ga'an Point on July 21, 1944 and faced intense fire and resistance from the Japanese. The limestone crop found at this site was once a disguised Japanese fortress that poured deadly fire on the US troops landing here. Visit this site to find out more about what happened at this historic location by exploring and reading the signs installed around the park.

Grades 6-12 Social Studies Guam US World History Geography

Piti Guns

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Hestoria Siha Gi Ekso’ (History in the Hills)

Piti Guns consists of wayside exhibits that illustrate the stories that took place on this hill in the following languages: English, Japanese, and CHamoru. Students taking a CHamoru course will be able to apply their knowledge beyond the school setting by walking through the trail and observing the signs along the path.

Grades 9-12 CHamoru

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The Silent Guns

Today, three World War II guns rest silently within a mahogany forest in the hills of Piti. During the war, the hasty efforts by the Japanese military to fortify the island were never fully completed. Take a trip to the past and ascend through the steep, thick, coastal jungle, reminiscent of the challenging terrain negotiated by both Japanese and US troops during World War II.

Grade 4 Social Studies

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Piti Guns Trail

The Piti Guns or Piti Coastal Defense Guns is the site of three Vickers, type Model 3 coastal defense guns. They are unique reminders of the people throughout history who have found Guam as a valuable asset and have left behind evidence for others to discover. As you go along the Piti Guns trail, use the signs along the path to answer the questions.

Grade 6 World History

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Native or Not

In 1928, Mahogany trees were planted in the Piti Guns area as part of the historic Agricultural Experiment Station. Over nine decades later, the flora and fauna along the Piti Guns trail have changed drastically. With the help of this worksheet, you can identify native, non-native, and invasive trees along the path and draw conclusions about which type of tree is the most dominant.

Grades 9-12 Biology

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Multiple Perspectives

In December 1941, the island of Guam was taken over by the Japanese Army. Ruling the island for over two and a half years, Japanese forces made efforts to heavily fortify the terrain surrounding Guam’s coasts and cliffs. See the remnants of the war and observe the guns that were installed in the hills of the village of Piti. Find out what happened at this historical site from the perspectives of American soldiers, Japanese soldiers, and the CHamoru people.

Grades 9-12 Guam US World History Geography

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Hike to Historic Piti Guns

Piti Guns consists of wayside exhibits that illustrate the stories that took place on this hill in the following languages: English, Japanese, and CHamoru. Students taking a Japanese World Language course will be able to apply their knowledge beyond the school setting by walking through the trail and observing the signs along the path.

Grades 9-12 Japanese

Apaca Point

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Senses at Apaca Point

Apaca Point’s pillboxes are a tangible reminder of the Japanese occupation on Guam. Engage in the site’s history by using four different senses: touch, smell, sight, and sound. With the help of pictures, you can answer questions that engage your senses and teach you to distinguish between different textures, smells, shapes, and sounds.

Grades K-1 Science

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Pillbox Perspective

The pillbox at Apaca Point is an excellent representation of an intricate Japanese defensive fortification. Come and experience this historic World War II pillbox, where you can see up close that is built directly into the limestone. Use this sheet to guide you and help you gain a new perspective of the fighting in the Battle for Guam.

Grades 3-5 Social Studies

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Eco-Explorers

Apaca Point contains a beach strand community that is home to various plants and animals and provides a laboratory for scientific inquiry and research. Get an up-close and personal look at the animals living along Apaca Point’s shore. Use this sheet to examine the microcosm and follow up with a discussion on the impact of human behavior on these special creatures.

Grades 3-5 Science

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Hidden Defenses

Apaca Point is a historical site from the World War II era known for its natural beauty and intricate Japanese defense fortifications. Tour Apaca Point, use the waysides, and listen to the War in the Pacific National Historical Park’s cell phone audio tour to help paint a picture of life at Apaca Point during the Japanese occupation of Guam.

Grade 8 Guam History

Fonte Plateau

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Fonte Plateau Communication Center

Communication is essential for survival in wartime. Visit this historical site to examine the important role of communication among soldiers during battle. Learn more about communication equipment and discuss ways in which communication methods over time have changed.

Grades 3-4 Social Studies

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Familiarize with Fonte Plateau

The Japanese communications center on Fonte Plateau is embedded into Nimitz Hill and camouflaged by surrounding jungle. Bring flashlights when you visit this fascinating historical site and analyze why it was an ideal location for a communications center. This worksheet can be completed using the War in the Pacific National Historical Park’s mobile web app. You can also listen to the compelling story of Japanese Lieutenant General Takashina Takashi at this very site. Mobile devices with data required.

Grades 9-12 Guam US World History Geography

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