Children begin to perceive race and internalize stereotypes from their infancy...yet most resources are targeted for older students.
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Immigrant History Initiative is proud to partner with Maya Espiritu of Maistorybook to bring you read-aloud lesson plans for K-5 students that center Asian American voices and stories! These resources highlight the narratives of immigrant communities, exploring diasporic family dynamics, intergenerational conflict & dialogue, and discrimination and stereotypes.
Fully aligned with Common Core standards and New Jersey state curriculum standards, these lesson plans are ready to use in the classroom. At the same time, they are suitable for interested parents whose school districts may not welcome content in racial equity but want to introduce their children to these important topics. |
Each resource contains:
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BINNY'S DIWALI, FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS!
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Written by Thirty Umrigar and illustrated by Nidhi Chanani, Binny's Diwali is a delightful look at the holiday of Diwali: Festival of Lights! Today is Binny’s day to share her favorite holiday with her class. She’s excited to share about Diwali, but a bit nervous, too. After struggling in the beginning to find her words, Binny takes a deep breath, and then shares the magic of Diwali. Learn along with Binny’s classmates as she shows them the glowing clay lamps, called diyas, explains the fireworks of gold, green, and red that burst through the night sky, and shares delicious pedas and jalebis treats.
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A DIFFERENT POND, BY BAO PHI & THI BUI
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Written by Bao Phi and illustrated by Thi Bui, A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event - a long-ago fishing trip. This book is a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son - and between cultures, old and new. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam.
This resource is designed for use alongside Capstone Publishing's "A Different Pond Reader's Guide" (available here). The Reader's Guide provides discussion questions and activity ideas. This historical summary fills in the gaps to Bao Phi's A Different Pond, providing historical context for many of the clues left in the book's beautiful narrative. It provides a brief introduction of the Vietnam War and the lasting effects the war on refugee families. |
WHEN I FOUND GRANDMA, BY SAUMIYA BALASUBRAMANIAM & QIN LENG
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Written by Saumiya Balasubramaniam and illustrated by Qin Leng, When I Found Grandma is an insightful and endearing portrayal of a grandparent-grandchild relationship that is evolving and deeply loving, as Maya and Grandma navigate cross-cultural contexts and generational differences.
An assimilated child of the Indian diaspora finds herself culturally challenged when her grandmother visits her family in North America. Maya longs to see her grandmother, but when Grandma arrives from India, she is not quite what Maya expected. Grandma wears fancy clothes and she is really loud. Her prayer bells wake up Maya every morning, she puts nuts in rice, and her sweets aren’t as tasty as cupcakes. Will Maya and Grandma find a way to connect across cross-cultural differences? Themes:
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SHARK LADY, BY JESS KEATING
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Written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Marta Alvarez Miguens, Shark Lady introduces children to the life of trailblazing Asian American female scientist Eugenie Clark!
Eugenie Clark was a Japanese-American marine biologist who specialized in ichthyology, the study of fish. She is known for her research on shark behavior and was a pioneer in using scuba diving for research purposes. This biography tells the story of Eugenie Clark: from how she fell in love with sharks from the first moments she saw them at the aquarium, to studying zoology in college where professors told her women weren’t smart enough to be scientists, to riding on the back of a whale shark and becoming the first scientist in the world to train sharks. Eugenie’s dedication to her research earned her the nickname “Shark Lady,” and through her discoveries and accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks are to be admired rather than feared- and that women can be anything they dream to be! Themes:
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About Maya Espiritu & MaistorybookMaya is an artist and Elementary teacher who is passionate about quality and equality in early education. Her Vietnamese name is Mai, and thus the inspiration for her organization: MaiStoryBook. She received her BA in Psychology with a focus on child development, and an Asian American Studies minor, from Scripps College. Maya graduated from UCSD with a Masters of Education and Multiple Subject Credential to become an elementary school teacher. Maya started Maistorybook because she is a firm believer in the power of books to open doors and spark the imagination of young readers. |
