This summer, we are reflecting on everything we have learned so far this year. See the grid below to explore the topics and educational resources we dove into. As you explore, you’ll find classroom discussion ideas, worksheets, Q&A interviews with content specialists, and more.
In November 2018, the Learning Together page was launched! We learned about the Sandbox, our pilot teacher institute, and ways the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is teaming up with teachers to tackle complex histories in the classroom. We were also introduced to the Learning Together Ambassadors: Zara, Nathan, Minh, and Jay!
In February, we celebrated Asian Pacific American New Year traditions! We learned about the Lunar New Year and thought about the importance of holidays in our communities. Our classroom activity told the story of Fred T. Korematsu, who famously resisted the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and highlighted resources about Asian American artists and histories!
In March, we shined the spotlight on two Hawaiian royals for Women’s History Month: Queen Kapi‘olani and Queen Lili‘uokalani! We learned about Queen Kapi‘olani acting as an ambassador to the United States and Queen Lili‘uokalani’s devotion to her people in the face of occupation. We also heard Kālewa Correa, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s Curator of Hawaii and the Pacific, share the history of Queen Kapiolani’s waa (or canoe) and considered the cultural importance of gifts!
In April, we celebrated Arab American Heritage Month with Syrian-American hip hop artist Omar Offendum! Omar told us about Little Syria, a neighborhood in New York City that was a thriving hub of culture for Greater Syrian immigrants from 1880-1940. In our classroom activity, we read an article written about Little Syria by a non-Arab American in 1895 and considered how bias shapes our perception of communities.
In May, we commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad! Ting-Yi Oei, Director of Education at the 1882 Foundation, answered our questions about the history of the railroad and the communities it affected. In our classroom activity, we looked at the Transcontinental Railroad 75th Anniversary Stamp and considered what might be missing from our understanding of American history!
