IHI is proud to present this series of lesson plans investigating the link between xenophobia and public health crises through in-depth historical case studies. These free instructor guides present important but sobering history, highlight how past events mirror the present, and challenge both students and teachers to consider the COVID-19 pandemic in all its dimensions and take action against racism, fear, and hate.

Smallpox, Fear & Racism During 1800s San Francisco​

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Grades: 6-12
Time Period: 1800-1900
Curriculum: ​​Xenophobia & Public Health​
Topics: COVID-19 & Xenophobia, Civil Rights

Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1-3, 6-8.7-8; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1-4, 6.6-9, 7.1-4, 7.6, 7.8-9, 8.1-4, 8.6, 8.8-9; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.1-2, 9-10.4-6, 9-10.8-9, 11-12.1-4, 11-12.6-9;  CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1-4, 9-10.6, 9-10.8, 11-12.1-4, 11-12.6

This lesson plan covers the creation of government policies based on racial scapegoating during pandemics, specifically in the San Francisco Chinatown smallpox pandemics. Students will connect how xenophobia and racism continue in the COVID-19 pandemic. Activities include mapping stereotypes, text evaluation, and political cartoon analysis.

Anti-Semitism & Xenophobia During 19th Century Epidemics

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 Grades: 6-12
Time Period: 1800-1900
Curriculum: ​Xenophobia & Public Health
Topics: COVID-19 & Xenophobia, Civil Rights

Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1-4, 6-8.7-8, 9-10.1-2, 9-10.4, 9-10.6, 9-10.8-9, 11-12.1-2, 11-12.4, 11-12.6, 11-12.8-9; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1-2, 6.4, 6.7-9, 7.1-2, 7.4, 7.6, 7.8-9, 8.1-2, 8.4, 8.6, 8.8-9, 9-10.1-2, 9-10.4, 9-10.6, 9-10.8, 11-12.1-2, 11-12.4, 11-12.6; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 9-10.1, 11-12.1​

This lesson plan covers how our government has created policies based on anti-semitism and racial scapegoating during pandemics, specifically during the typhus and cholera epidemics in 19th century New York. Students will connect how xenophobia and racism continue in the COVID-19 pandemic. Activities include text evaluation and letter writing.

What's the Message?

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Grades: ​3-6
Time Period: 1800-1900
Curriculum: Xenophobia & Public Health
Topics: COVID-19 & Xenophobia

​Standards: N/A

This educational resource created in collaboration with Time for Kids explores the connections between racial scapegoating and national health crises. The worksheet serves a companion to Time for Kids' child-friendly article, "Calling for Change," which covers activists' responses to rises in anti-Asian racism in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Empathy during COVID: Restorative Justice Guide

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Grades: ​5-12
Time Period: Contemporary
Curriculum: Xenophobia & Public Health
Topics: COVID-19 & Xenophobia

​Standards: N/A

This facilitation guide utilizes restorative justice dialogue circles to reflect on and discuss the causes of anti-Asian racism, which has sharply increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource uses restorative justice principles to foster empathy among students and other community members during difficult times.

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