ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
This Resource Toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to create a greater awareness of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and the cultural diversity they bring to the United States.
RESOURCES
Official AAPI Heritage Month Site
A compilation of U.S. Government resources, including historical collections, art exhibitions, and educational resources from the Smithsonian Institution, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Archives, Library of Congress, National Park Service, and more.
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
This site provides articles for teachers on how to address anti-Asian racism with students. It also has a video series that breaks down common stereotypes, inspiring stories from the AAPI community, and online exhibitions.
WHAT IS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH?
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is recognized during the month of May to celebrate the significant contributions and influences Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans have had on the history and culture of the United States.
The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Most of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
The resources in this toolkit highlight the generations of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who have made and continue to make a significant impact on America’s history.
MORE RESOURCES
- ShareAmerica Articles
These short articles highlight notable AAPI contributions to American culture. - Images from State Department Flickr Site American Spaces can use and shared these images.
- American English Article Designed for intermediate English language learners about Asian Pacific American history.
- Pew Research Center
This site contains general statistics on Asian Americans. They also published this article “The Rise of Asian Americans,” which provides social and demographic trends of Asian Americans over time.
When Joe Biden won the Presidency, his vice presidential running mate Kamala Harris made history. By winning the 2020 election, she became both the first woman and the first person of color to be elected vice president of the United States.
She is the daughter of two immigrant academics: an Indian- American mother and a father from Jamaica. You can read more about her on WhiteHouse.gov.
FILMS IN KANOPY
Kanopy films are accessible through eLibraryUSA and can be screened at American Spaces through our agreement with eLibraryUSA. American Spaces can also screen these films online in closed forums.
Home from the Eastern Sea: The Story of Asian Immigration to America (58 minutes) – The video documents the history of Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino families arriving in the United States.
The Grace Lee Project – Deconstructing an Asian American Stereotype (67 minutes) – Produced by award-winning Korean director Grace Lee, this film explores the cultural implications of Asian-American Identity.
Kuma Hina (77 minutes) – A transgender Hawaiian teacher inspires a female student to participate in an all male-hula troupe.
TEACHER RESOURCES
To promote diversity and inclusion, below are useful educational materials for American Spaces.
- Public Broadcasting Services Videos and Lesson Plans This five-hour series of short videos is designed for teachers on a variety of aspects of the Asian American experience in the United States from the 1800s until today. Each video comes with supporting activities or lesson plans.
- Smithsonian Learning Together – This site contains links to recommended lesson plans, documentaries, and posters.
- Celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage – Share My Lessons provides free lesson plans and activities that teachers around the world can use.
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
Updated May 2024
