Lesson Plans for Every Classroom
What are you looking for today?
Exploring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), also sometimes referred to as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AAPIHM is a month-long commemoration of the history, culture, contributions and achievements of people who are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander. This month was first acknowledged in 1979 when President Jimmy Carter declared a celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1990 under President George H.W. Bush, Congress passed a law that made the commemoration the full month of May. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about the origins of AAPIHM, explore demographics about the AAPI community, and consider ways that AAPIHM should be commemorated in schools and communities.
Trailblazers, Changemakers, and Visionaries: Exploring Black History Month
Black History Month is celebrated and commemorated every year in February. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson organized the first history week and fifty years later in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized "Black History Month" for the first time. The purpose of this dedicated month is to commemorate Black history and culture and celebrate Black individual and group accomplishments and achievements. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn more about Black History Month and its history, reflect on the importance of commemorative themed months and consider different ideas about how to commemorate the month and beyond.
Understanding Racism and Embracing Anti-Racism
Racism is all around us and permeates every aspect of our culture and society–from racist symbols and slurs, excluding people based on race, microaggressions, stereotypical or lack of representation in media portrayals and the discrimination faced by people of color in every institution in our society. Anti-racism offers a helpful way forward. The concept of anti-racism has a long history but has emerged in today’s conversations about racism, providing a way to talk about and actively fight against racism. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to understand the concepts of racism and anti-racism, reflect on examples of institutional racism and explore strategies for fostering anti-racism.
Colorism in the Entertainment Industry and Beyond
Colorism is a system of bias that privileges people with lighter skin and marginalizes people with darker skin. Colorism, closely related to racism, affects people in all walks of life including the entertainment industry, media, education, workplaces, the criminal justice system and other industries and institutions. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to understand what colorism is, explore its impact on individuals and society and suggest ways–by writing a persuasive letter or essay–to address and challenge colorism.