Amazing Asian Americans

 

May is Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage month, celebrating Asian and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. These peoples have contributed significantly: through inventions, fashion, medicine, food, technology, entertainment, architecture.  The list goes on and on. Discover more about these varied Americans through the activities below.

 

CONNECT:

• Check out these famous firsts by Asian Americans: https://www.infoplease.com/history/apa-heritage/famous-firsts-by-asian-americans
• AND here are 16 Asian American heroes kids should know about: https://redtri.com/asian-american-historical-figures/slide/1
• The first record settlement of Filipinos in American predates the American Revolution. Trace Asian American history’s timeline at http://www.cetel.org/timeline.html
• Asian Americans have encountered much prejudice in the United States, one of the worst being Japanese American confinement during World War II. Manzanar National History Site was once one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese were incarcerated. Explore their stories at https://www.nps.gov/manz/index.htm

 

CREATE:

• Celebrate the rich history and culture of the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have contributed to America’s diversity and success through 12 activities at https://www2.ed.gov/free/features/asian-pacific-heritage.html
• Enjoy some of these traditional Chinese games with your family: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/traditional-chinese-games
• See lunches that Asian American kids brought to school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0QycccIKLs
• Now here are tips to make Asian food kid friendly: https://thegingeredwhisk.com/category/cuisine/asian/

 

CARE:

• Watch how Netflix shows what Asian American families love about their culture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIN6TX3Zc90
• Explore how 50+ Hawaiian practitioners care about their culture at https://smithsonianapa.org/aekai/.
• For parents: Watch this video about explaining hate crimes to children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vpdGqbnPj8. CNN also provides tips on ways to support kids  during this time of anti-Asian American hate: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/18/health/parents-support-kids-asian-hate-crime-wellness/index.html

 

CAREERS:

You’ll find Asian Americans in all walks of life and all kinds of careers. Maybe you’d like a career that links you to Asia. You might become a teacher, an historian, an interpreter, an international business expert, a foreign service officer, a travel agent, a writer, and more. Check out some of the possibilities here.

• https://files.upei.ca/careerservices/careers_asianstudies
• https://career.ku.edu/ealc

 

It’s May, It’s May!

The lovely month of May is full of holidays and seasonal connotations. Celebrate this month every day through the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Cinco de Mayo is more popular in the U.S. than in Mexico. Learn about its history and importance at http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Cinco/
• May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Learn more about these communities and their contributions at http://www.afk.com/resources/apahm.tpl
• The month of May is named after the Greek goddess Maia. Find out about her at http://www.ourladyofsalt.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150:the-goddess-of-may-maia&catid=42:newsletter&Itemid=43

CREATE:

• Try some of these ideas for May-inspired activities: http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Ideas-for-Kids-for-the-Month-of-May.aspx
• Create a May calendar with holidays and celebratory birthdays, adding images for each event. Use these websites to fill in your calendar. Then plan your own way to celebrate one of these days, such as International Nurses Day on May 12. http://www.ducksters.com/history/mayinhistory.php. (Note: May is national Burger month so you could celebrate every day…)
• Dance around the maypole – and make it as a family activity: http://www.modernmom.com/f725b57c-3b45-11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html. Get ideas about music and dance at http://www.maypoledance.com/index.html

CARE:

• There are lots of ways to say thanks to mothers: making cards, poems, songs,crafts. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/mothersday/ has several simple ideas.
• Did you know how the Mayflower plant is linked to the pilgrims? Root out the history at http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/trailing-arbutus/mayflower-trailing-arbutus.htm, and learn how to grow this historic flower.
• Memorial Day remembers the people who died in wars or in the service of their country. http://www.military.com/memorial-day/celebrating-memorial-day-with-children.html provides ideas for ways for youth to honor these military heroes.

CAREER:

Almost three-quarters of mothers in the U.S. are in the workforce. http://www.naccrra.org/sites/default/files/default_site_pages/2012/ccgb_mothers_workforce_jan2012.pdf has several important facts about them and their issues.