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Lesson Plan, Teaching Guide, Unit Plan, Video :

Lesson Plan, Teaching Guide, Unit Plan, Video Farm Workers Rights: Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz

  • Grade Level K-8th Grade
  • Time Period 1950 - 1989
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Introduction

This resource set focuses on the farm workers’ rights movement, particularly highlighting the contributions of Filipino American labor leaders Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz in the Delano Grape Strike alongside Cesar Chavez. Students will learn about the impact of labor rights activism, the importance of solidarity, and the role of democracy in securing better working conditions.

LESSON PLAN
Asian American Education Project: Lesson 4: Filipino American Farmworkers Fight for their Rights
Noreen Naseem Rodriguez, Assistant Professor, Iowa State University: Lesson Plan Grades 3-5: “The Untold History of Filipino Farmworkers in California”

VIDEOS
PBS Video: “Delano Manongs” from View Finder (2014)
AAAJ - Asian Law Caucus: Video: “AAPI Civil Rights Heroes: Larry Itliong” (2013)
PBS Video Excerpt: Episode 4 - Generation Rising (1960s-1970s) of Asian Americans (full series here)
PBS: Video Excerpt: A Season of Work

BOOKS
Journey for Justice: Life of Larry Itliong by Dawn B. Mabalon, PhD and Gayle Romasanta (2018) (Teaching Guide here)
Philip Vera Cruz by Karen Su, illustrated by Arlo Li (2023)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
APA Center Smithsonian: “Civil Intersections: Asian-Latino Solidarity Movements” resource kits
Time: 11 Moments From Asian American History That You Should Know

Essential Questions

  • What is democracy?

  • How does being more involved in a democracy have an impact on a person’s life?

  • What happens when there is very little participation by a certain cultural or racial group of people?

  • What is the balance between rights and responsibilities?