AANHPI Heritage Month invites secondary students to move beyond a single-story understanding of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander identities by examining the diversity, intersectionality, and historical significance of AANHPI communities in the United States. Grounded in Ethnic Studies and counter-narrative approaches, this lesson centers both historical context and contemporary contributions.
Designed for grades 6–12, this lesson spans two 50-minute class periods, allowing students time to engage deeply with media, discussion, and guided reflection. Students explore how AANHPI peoples have shaped U.S. history while also examining why visibility and recognition—such as AANHPI Heritage Month—matter within a broader context of exclusion and resistance.
Through videos, mapping activities, and worksheet-based analysis, students learn about a range of AANHPI individuals and communities, locate geographic origins, and consider how migration, identity, and activism intersect. The lesson intentionally highlights windows and mirrors, helping students see both themselves and others reflected in the curriculum.
Optional extension activities allow educators to further differentiate instruction or deepen exploration of themes such as solidarity, activism, and representation.
What’s Included
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Slide-based lesson with embedded educator guidance
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Student worksheet for note-taking, mapping, and reflection
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Media-based learning (videos, music, discussion prompts)
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Geographic mapping activities to contextualize identity and migration
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Optional extension activities for deeper engagement
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Alignment with WAESN Elements of Liberation, Washington State Social Studies Standards, and C3 Framework
Why Educators Use This Lesson
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Highlights the diversity within AANHPI communities
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Counters stereotypes and single-story narratives
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Connects history, identity, and contemporary issues
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Supports critical discussion and media literacy
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Requires minimal preparation with strong instructional scaffolds
This lesson is ideal for educators seeking secondary Ethnic Studies curriculum that meaningfully addresses AANHPI Heritage Month while centering complexity, representation, and community voice.