Resources for Grades 9-12
Lesson Plans
The Japanese American Internment
How Young People Saw It
Students in grades K-12 use primary and secondary sources to learn of the experiences of children and teens in World War II internment camps.
Creating Hawaii
Students in grades K-12 learn about Hawaii’s history and culture by exploring the Smithsonian exhibition, Creating Hawai’i.
Lessons of the Indian Epics: Following the Dharma
Students in grades 9-12 explore Hindu culture by examining the characters of the Ramayana, and the choices they make.
Haven't I Seen You Somewhere Before? Samsara and karma in the Jataka Tales
Students in grades 9-12 examine the meaning of karma and the related concept of samsara through a reading of the Jataka Tales.
Mini-Lessons from iCivics
Find materials to teach 3 mini-lessons on Asian Americans whose quest for justice reached the Supreme Court and changed America's laws. United States v. Wong Kim Ark, Korematsu v. United States, and Lau v. Nichols are covered. (requires free iCivics account).
Advocating for Curriculum Inclusion
OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates recently launched their K-12 AANHPI Curriculum Project to help promote the inclusion of AANHPI history and culture into school curricula. The site includes strategies for advocating for inclusion and will eventually house a database of lessons and resources for educators.
Activities
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Explore AANHPI history, art, and culture through the Smithsonian's museum experiences and digital initiatives. Of particular interest for educators is the Learning Together section, which features interviews with Asian American and Pacific Islander community members, links to community-created educational resources, book recommendations, discussion ideas, lesson activities, and more.
Asian Art Museum: Education
Search region for K-12 lessons & activities, artwork, video or background information.
How to Make a Simple Didgeridoo from PVC
Step by step instructions and related videos. Grades 9-12.
Carving a Bullroarer
Illustrated steps for carving a bullroarer. Grades 9-12.
Teaching Guides
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month: For Teachers
Primary sources, lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids for grades K-12 – culled from materials at The Library of Congress, National Archives, National Gallery of Art, and other institutions.
After Atlanta: Teaching About Asian American Identity and History
A Learning for Justice author shares the conversation she started with students the day after the attacks in Atlanta and recommends resources anyone can use to teach about Asian American history and identity.
Lesson Plan Units
Five Sites for Lesson Plans and Teaching Materials on China
Reading and Exploration
NEA's Read Across America Recommended Book List of Asian American and Pacific Islander Titles
Share these stories that celebrate major figures and read telling titles about the lives of everyday men, women, and children.
The Fate of Easter Island
Examines the impact a growing human population had the environment of Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
The Secrets of the Wave Pilots
Examines how the Marshall Islanders were able to navigate great distances over open water without instruments.
Events and Policies Impacting the Economic Progress of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Use the examples on this timeline to provide context to help students understand economic issues that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders face today.
Data and Statistics
Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month from the U.S. Census.
You can also access a downloadable pdf and a teaching guide.
Asian Pacific Americans by the Numbers (Infoplease)
Art & Dance
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Provides separate timelines for Oceania, regions of Asia.
The Art of South and Southeast Asia
This book, available in PDF format, introduces works of art from South and Southeast Asian collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Arts of Korea: A Resource for Educators
This book, available in PDF format, introduces Korea's artistic achievement and places it in the context of its history and religions.
Hula Preservation Society
Find video memoirs and performances in this archive that showcase elders sharing the human story of hula and the 20th century Hawaiʻi that they lived through.
Exhibits & Collections
Quizzes
Video
Find clips and background materials on PBS American Experience's documentary on the Chinese Exclusion Act.
