Teaching Guide Names and Cultural Identity
- Grade Level K-2nd Grade
- Time Period 2010 - Present
Introduction
This collection of materials focuses on the importance of names in Asian American culture and identity. Compiled by Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Chicago, it pulls together a series of books, a video on Chinese names, a lesson plan from Learning for Justice, and an article for teacher background and knowledge to help teach this content.
BOOKS
Always Anjali by Sheetal Sheth
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
I am Enough by Grace Byers
Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Thao: A Picture Book by Thao Lam
Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
VIDEOS
Chinese Names & Family History: https://youtu.be/Cdsk4KHq2RI
Thao Lam Author Interview: https://youtu.be/PAYcT0yj0wY
LESSON
What’s In a Name? by Learning for Justice
TEACHER BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Cultural Identity and Names in the Classroom
Essential Questions
Why are names important?
What does your name mean to you?
What is culture?
How might a name connect to a culture?
What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider?
Related Resources
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