High School Lesson Plans
Lesson plan created by Elyse Kiedaisch
Grade Level: 11–12
Students will learn about the U.S. colonization of Hawai‘i and resistance of the makaʻāinana, the people of Hawai‘i. This four-part lesson plan utilizes the playlist model of blended learning for students to examine evidence and make a case about the legality of U.S.’ annexation of Hawai‘i.
Lesson plan created by Dr. Thiago Leite
Grade Level: 9–12
This lesson plan supplements The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzergerald to address the notion of the “American Dream” in the 1920s. Students will conduct a research project on migrant groups in the U.S. during this time period and draw connections to Gatsby characters.
Lesson plan created by Jessica Cappadona
Grade Level: 10–11
Students will conduct a primary source analysis comparing Frederick Douglass’ Composite Nation, Chinese Exclusion Act documents, and Wong Kim Ark’s court case. This two-part lesson plan includes reading, poetry, and writing exercises.
Lesson plan created by Jess Illingworth
Grade Level: 10–12
This lesson plan utilizes the playlist model of blended learning to explore the experiences of 19th century Asian Americans, including Moksad Ali, Chang and Eng Bunker, Chinese railroad workers, Bhagat Singh Thind, and Mamie Tape.
Lesson plan created by Carol Fevola
Grade Level: 11–12
This lesson plan explores Asian American literature through selected short stories, including “Saboteur” by Ha Jin, “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei, “Black Eyed Women” by Viet Thanh Nguyen, and “Surrendered” by Chang Rae Lee. Students will engage in guided reading and reflection, draw historical connections, and prepare short lessons.
Lesson plan created by Sulynn Miao, Teach Asian American Stories
Grade Level: 9–12
Connie Chung was the first woman to co-anchor CBS Evening News and the first Asian American to anchor a major American newscast. In this Roots & Routes lesson plan, students will explore stereotypes of Asian women at the intersection of race and gender, including the “Connie Chung” stereotype.
Lesson plan created by Sulynn Miao, Teach Asian American Stories
Grade Level: 9–12
New Jersey is made up of several Asian American ethnoburbs, which are suburban neighborhoods where ethnic communities have formed. In this Roots & Routes lesson plan, students will analyze demographic data and create their own graphs.
Lesson plan created by Sulynn Miao, Teach Asian American Stories
Grade Level: 9–12
Sana Amanat co-created the Marvel character, Kamala Khan, also known as Ms. Marvel, a Pakistani American Muslim girl from New Jersey—just like Sana. In this Roots & Routes lesson plan, students will learn about the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan and create comic strip projects inspired by Ms. Marvel.
Lesson plan created by Sulynn Miao, Teach Asian American Stories
Grade Level: 9–12
In 1870, a group of Chinese laborers migrated to Belleville, New Jersey to work at the Passaic Steam Laundry factory, establishing the first-ever Chinese community on the East Coast. This Roots & Routes lesson plan includes primary and secondary source analysis and an extended Document-Based Question (DBQ).
Lesson plan created by Sulynn Miao, Teach Asian American Stories
Grade Level: 9–12
Starting in the 1880s, Bengali Muslim merchants established a thriving network, traveling between West Bengal and the beach towns of New Jersey to sell handicrafts. This Roots & Routes lesson plan includes an extended Document-Based Question (DBQ).
