Description and History
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The term "Asian/Pacific" encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
Professional Learning Resources
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
The Library of Congress provides a curated list of ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids.
“Asian American History IS American History” receives AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award
The “Asian American History IS American History” project from Dunwoody Elementary School in Dunwoody, Georgia, was the recipient of the 2022 AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award. Sparked by the tragic Atlanta spa shooting in 2021, school librarian Sarah Sansbury and 4th-grade social studies curriculum lead Emma O’Connor, became keenly aware that their students needed to be seen, heard, and validated as American and as part of the fabric that makes up American history.
Going Beyond Tikki Tikki Tembo
In this Knowledge Quest blog post, Michelle Easley explores ways school librarians can celebration AAPI Heritage Month beyond just the two C's - cuisine and crafts. Easley shares collection recommendations and online resouces.
Fighting Anti-Semitism and Anti-Asian Hate Through Books
In this Knowledge Quest post, blogger Karin Greenberg reviews two nonfiction books highlighting the complexities and beauty of Jewish and Asian culture. She also shares book lists with recommended titles to celebrate Jewish American Heritage and Asian American & Pacific Islander Month.
Learner Engagement Resources
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Care Package
The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center has curated a list of poems, meditations, films, and other "cultural nutrients."
Smithsonian resources for K12 teachers searching for Asian Pacific and Pacific Islander narratives
Google Arts & Culture Video - HAPPY Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Google Arts and Culture - Celebrate Asian Pacific American Cultures
Books Matter™ | Children's & Young Adult Literature
ADL provides an online bibliography of recommended children’s and young adult books about bias, bullying, diversity and social justice. This curated list provides age level recommended books on Asian/Asian-American/South Asian/South-Asian American/Pacific Islander people, identity, and culture.