All TAAS lesson plans are created by and for New Jersey educators and are aligned to Common Core standards and NJSLS for ELA and social studies.
We are proud to announce the launch of the Teach Asian American Stories (TAAS) K–5 Teacher Residency, a first-of-its-kind program designed to equip elementary educators with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to meaningfully integrate Asian American and Pacific Islander
Grades K–2
Explore how food connects to culture, identity, and belonging in this Love Your Lunch lesson plan, uncovering the stories behind what we eat.
Grades 3–5
This 3-day lesson plan includes a read aloud, primary source analyses, and discussions on pathways to U.S. citizenship, the importance of birthright citizenship, and connections to the present day.
Grades K–2
”I Am An American“ tells the story of Wong Kim Ark, whose Supreme Court case secured Birthright Citizenship under the 14th Amendment. This 3-day lesson plan includes historical context on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, an interactive read-aloud, and a primary source activity.
This companion guide to the NYC Department of Education’s Hidden Voices: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in United States History offers alignment to New Jersey State Learning Standards (NJSLS) for Social Studies for K-12. All 38 profiles of AAPI historical
Coolies by Yin tells the story of two brothers who migrate from China to California to work on the Transcontinental Railroad. This lesson plan includes historical context, reading guide, a main activity and optional extension activities. For Grades 2–4
Say My Name by Joanna Ho is a moving story about six children and the beauty and significance of their names – and pronouncing them correctly. This two-part lesson plan includes a close reading guide, poetry exercise, and historical application.
Tala Learns to Siva by Kealani Netane is an empowering look into finding inner strength and family connection through a Samoan cultural dance, taualuga. This lesson plan includes historical context, guiding questions, and corresponding activities. For Grades 3–5
Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans is an inspiring tale about a young girl and her mother journeying from Vietnam to the United States to find her Papa. This lesson plan includes a detailed reading guide and comprehension questions. For
Dating back to the mid-1880s, Hooghly merchants from West Bengal (present-day India) laid the foundation for the first significant settlement of South Asians in the U.S. They lived, worked, and moved in the shadow of two empires, navigating the influences
