May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month, and while we celebrate during these four weeks, it’s essential to uplift AAPI histories, diverse identities and stories year-round. This collection of LFJ resources provides opportunities to dig deep into AAPI experiences and aims to help young people, educators and families explore the expansive impact of the AAPI community on the United States.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
Teaching Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
In this webinar Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, LFJ’s deputy director for Learning & Engagement, and Jon Tobin, LFJ curriculum and training specialist, unpack the origins, meaning and contemporary impact of the term “Asian American Pacific Islander.” They break down the “model minority” myth and provide educators with resources to effectively teach AAPI history.
Teachers, Check Your Texts
LGBTQ+ Asian identities need to be amplified in the school curriculum—and not just during a heritage month.
Humanizing Asian Americans in the Classroom Through Children's Literature
Asian American stories are often absent from classroom libraries. In this article, one educator explains why this gap is so harmful—and recommends ways to fix it.
A Remote Control for Learning
Artist, author and educator Gene Luen Yang speaks with LFJ (formerly Teaching Tolerance) about teaching, comics and the importance of diverse characters.
I Am Asian American
Uncover the true diversity beneath the Asian American label.
Toolkit for ‘I Am Asian American’
This toolkit accompanies the article “I Am Asian American” and provides professional development resources to help teachers reflect on their own assumptions and knowledge gaps about Asian Americans and include a variety of Asian American voices in their curricula.
Madam Vice President Is a Woman of Color
The election of a biracial, Black, South Asian daughter of immigrant parents to the vice presidency is a historic moment for all of us—especially girls and women of color.
The House on Lemon Street
Like immigrants from Europe, people from Asia came to America seeking economic opportunities. But they soon found that there were limits placed on what they could achieve in the United States.
We Still Haven’t Learned From This
Japanese American incarceration stories are American stories that need to be told.
ADDRESSING ANTI-ASIAN BIAS
After Atlanta: Teaching About Asian American Identity and History
One LFJ award winner 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.
Speaking Up Against Racism Around Coronavirus
The coronavirus became racialized, so it’s critical that educators understand the historical context and confront racist tropes and xenophobia from students and colleagues.
How To Respond To Coronavirus Racism
As COVID-19 infections increase, so too does racism and xenophobia. Use our “Speak Up” strategies to let people know you’re not OK with racist or xenophobic comments about coronavirus or anything else.
What Is the ‘Model Minority’ Myth?
The myth of the “model minority” is pervasive. It does real damage. And Asian American students aren’t the only ones it harms.
(In)Visible Identity
Sikhs have been in the United States for more than 125 years, but our collective lack of knowledge about this religious group leaves Sikh students vulnerable.
RELATED EXTERNAL RESOURCES
The Asian American Education Project
This resource provides lesson plans, professional development workshops for educators and student activities about Asian American history.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
This collection of resources offers educators access to lessons, art and primary sources related to Asian American and Pacific Islander histories.
Asian Americans in the People’s History of the United States
The Zinn Education Project offers profiles of people and events in Asian and Pacific Islander people’s history.
