Bringing Chinese and Asian American History into the Classroom
Explore our free Library of Lessons on Chinese and Asian American experiences and bring a fuller, more complete understanding of the American story into your classroom.
Developed over the past five years, this collection helps educators bring the history, experiences, and contributions of Chinese and Asian Americans into the classroom through fully developed, classroom-ready lesson plans for grades K–12.
Rooted in the Foundation’s Talk Story program, these lessons bring history to life through personal narratives.
Developed to bring Chinatown’s history into the classroom, the Flashback Chinatown DC curriculum is currently used by teachers at Sidwell Friends School, an independent school in Washington, DC. Through years of professional development led by Ting-Yi Oei, additional lesson plans have reached middle and high school social studies teachers in Fairfax County Public Schools and Loudoun County Public Schools.
Click on the title to view the lesson and for printing it out.
Grades: 4–12
Themes: Immigration, Chinese Exclusion
Explores Angel Island as the primary West Coast immigration station and examines how the Chinese Exclusion Act shaped the experiences of Asian immigrants and contrasts their experiences to immigrants coming through Ellis Island on the East Coast.
Grades: K–12
Themes: Immigration, Identity
Follows a personal immigration story of a “paper daughter” to help students understand the emotional and human impact of exclusion and migration.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Immigration, Early Asian American History
Introduces the earliest known presence Asian presence in Colonial America and examines the historical significance of Filipino settlement in the United States.
Grades: 8–12
Themes: Immigration, Policy
Examines how immigration reform reshaped the demographics of the United States and expanded opportunities for Asian immigrants.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Immigration, Chinese Exclusion
Investigates one of the earliest restrictive immigration laws that essentially banned Chinese women from entering the U.S. and assesses its impact on Chinese women and families.
Grades: 8–12
Themes: Chinese Exclusion, Policy
Explores the legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the significance of the U.S. government’s formal acknowledgment of past injustice.
Grades: 8–12
Themes: Civics, Immigration
Dives into one of Frederick Douglass’s speeches where he counters arguments against Chinese immigration while expanding on his ideas of citizenship, inclusion, and who belongs in America.
Grades: 9–12
Themes: Labor, Activism
Highlights the contributions of Asian American labor activists and workers in shaping labor rights and movements in U.S. history.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Labor, U.S. History
Examines the role of Chinese laborers in building the Transcontinental Railroad and the challenges they faced.
Grades: 9–12
Themes: Civil Rights, WWII
Explores resistance and civil disobedience during Japanese American incarceration in World War II.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Civil Rights, WWII
Examines a personal and unique story of incarceration from Virginia to understand its impact on individuals and families far from the West Coast.
Grades: 4–6
Themes: Civil Rights, WWII
Introduces younger students to the history of Japanese American incarceration through accessible and age-appropriate activities.
Grades: 9–12
Themes: Civics, Law
Analyzes key court cases that shaped questions of citizenship, civil rights and legal status for Asian Americans.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Identity, Immigration
Encourages students to examine how language shapes understanding of migration and identity.
Grades: 8–12
Themes: Data, Identity
Explores how data can reinforce or challenge stereotypes and why disaggregated data matters for AAPI communities.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Identity, Culture
Examines how identity, culture, and societal expectations influence “assimilation” in American society.
Grades: 9–12
Themes: Activism, Civil Rights
Explores the rise of Asian American activism and the key role Helen Zia played in advancing civil rights.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Leadership, Civics
Examines the legacy of Patsy Mink of Hawai‘i and her contributions to education and gender equality.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Civics, Activism
Provides students with tools and strategies to understand and engage in civic advocacy.
Grades: 5–8
Themes: Hawai‘i History, Colonialism
Investigates how power and narrative shape American imperial expansion.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Hawai‘i History, Colonialism
Explores the life and legacy of Hawai‘i’s last monarch.
Grades: 4–12
Themes: Art, Representation
Explores the artistic legacy of Disney artist Tyrus Wong.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Media, Representation
Examines how photography can document history and challenge invisibility.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Community, U.S. History
Explores the history and transformation of Washington, DC’s Chinatown.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Community, Civil Rights
Examines Chinatown during a pivotal historical moment.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Women, Activism
Explores how three influential women shaped history.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: U.S. History, Military
Highlights stories of Asian Americans in the Civil War.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Art, Identity
Explores craftsmanship, identity, and legacy.
Grades: 9–12
Themes: Violence, U.S. History
Examines anti-Chinese violence in American history.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: War, Memory
Uses the memorial to explore memory and history.
Grades: 6–12
Themes: Identity, Indigenous Studies
Encourages students to think critically about identity and belonging.