Lesson Plan, Book, Article Belleville's Chinatown

This lesson introduces students to the history and significance of Chinatowns in the United States, with a special focus on Belleville, New Jersey—the site of the first East Coast Chinatown. Through engaging picture books, photographs, and mapping activities, students explore the reasons why Chinatowns were formed and how they offered protection, community, and opportunity for Chinese immigrants in the face of racism and exclusion. By comparing Chinatowns past and present, students gain a deeper understanding of how places reflect cultural identity and how communities adapt and resist discrimination. The lesson also connects local history to broader national themes of immigration, prejudice, and belonging.