Lesson guides and activities are written for K-12, but can be modified for various ages and subject. They are made to be standalone lessons, but can be extended into multiple classes or units.
That depends! Some posters may connect and others may feel more standalone. Our current selection of posters connect because they take place in the 1960s-1980s and surround similar historical events. However, getting students to make the connection between the material you have previously learned in class and what you are learning now allows them to see how the past constantly affects the present and future. We recommend having these discussions with the students and encouraging them to make those connections by common themes, time periods, subject, etc.
State standards for each subject vary, depending on your location. For younger students, we recommend focusing on comparing and contrasting the stories presented and their own communities. How are they alike? How do they differ? For older students, teachers can begin to get more into detail about the backgrounds of the presented communities and what they did for American history. More complicated issues of inequality and discrimination can be inserted into curriculum. In addition, they can begin to analyze the art style while exercising their own creative abilities. We used social science and art to guide our OurStory series, but based on the themes, they can easily be applied to various subjects.
We offer a summary of the topic as well as a list of resources, key terms, vocabulary, and learning objectives. We strongly believe anyone can participate in these posters as long as they ask questions and challenge themselves (and others) to think beyond the information presented. The more questions you have, the more your studuents can realize that these issues are multi-dimensional and these discussions should be shared outside of the classroom too.
The topics are certainly big and often, deserve numerous articles and college courses dedicated to the subject. However, they are relevant to people of all ages and levels and we encourage you to begin these discussions from day one. As a teacher, parent, or supervisor, you can use these posters and stories to break down topics like human rights with questions as simple as “How do you want to be treated?” and “How does this connect to my work?” can begin this discussion about how we, as people, can begin to build a better world for everyone.
Personal is political. There is no part of Asian American and BIPOC history in the United States that has not been touched by prejudice and discrimination. In contrast, to teach any part of American history with no mention of marginalized communities and their contributions is a political act within itself – whether it be intentional or unintentional. Our goal is to create a safe space where students can learn about themselves and about each other. With encouragement from their community and educators, our hope is that they, too, will want to challenge outdated and discriminative policies through the work they do. So yes, this curriculum is political.