Lesson Plans
We want the process of incorporating BIPOC voices and building an anti-racist classroom to be as accessible to educators as possible. That’s why our lesson plans are aligned with national education standards, designed to be flexibly integrated into your existing class curriculum, and include a variety of activities (including interactive slides that can be shared with your students). Whether you use these as stand-alone lessons or adopt a whole lesson plan series, we hope these resources will help you build an empowering community alongside your students. Check back often, we are always releasing new lesson plans!
Grade Level Standards Met
Studying Pacific-Centered World Maps and Pacific Islander Navigation
World maps are posted on the walls in classrooms everywhere, but the orientation of maps are usually seen in a format where the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific islands are split to the ends of the map. Tupaia (too-pah-ee-ah), a high priest and navigator from the French Polynesian island of Ra'iātea (rye-eh-ah-teh-ah) defied this norm when he created a famous map centralized on the South Pacific as he sailed with Captain James Cook on the Endeavour. In this lesson, students will discuss their thinking about world maps that are centered on the Pacific Ocean, learn about Tupaia and his map, and create their own map of a place that is important to them.
Marshallese Folklore
At the end of this lesson, students will learn about the role of stories in Marshallese culture. They will be able to distinguish between different types of stories and the common structures of some stories. Students will also practice reading comprehension and analysis skills by reading two different Marshallese stories passed down by elders. Students will also have the opportunity to view an elder telling one of the stories provided, identifying visual and verbal cues to determine the tone and meaning of the story. Finally, students will be assessed on their comprehension and analysis skills with a fun drawing activity or an alternative quiz assessment.
The Most Beautiful Thing
This lesson plan is based on the book, The Most Beautiful Thing, which portrays the culture and history of the Hmong people. Weaving together a young girl named Kalia’s story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family’s early years in the United States. Included are several tools that you can use to introduce your students to the book, including instructions for when to use them. Each activity is designed to be flexible in terms of timeline and length.
The Story of Zero
In this lesson plan, students will learn how the concept of zero came to be, in particular thinking about its origins in India. Through games, videos, lectures, and worksheets, students will utilize this knowledge to make conclusions about the importance of honoring diverse mathematicians while putting zero into practice in mathematical operations.
Ideas for future lesson plans or topics? Want to share your knowledge and collaborate with Diversify Our Narrative?