Lesson Plan
Sample #2
Asian American as Storytellers and Educators
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank the educators, students, families, and community members whose stories and experiences continue to shape this work.
We are especially grateful to the teachers and youth who remind us that storytelling is not only a creative act, but also a way of preserving memory, building belonging, and imagining more just futures.
This sample lesson plan was created as a model for classroom and community-based learning. It is intended to support conversations about identity, voice, culture, representation, and the power of Asian American stories in educational spaces.
Dear Educator,
This sample lesson plan was created to support teaching and learning around Asian American identity, storytelling, and education. While stories are often treated as personal or creative expressions, they are also powerful tools for reflection, connection, community building, and social understanding.
This unit is designed to help students think critically about how stories are shaped, whose voices are centered, and how lived experiences influence the ways people see themselves and others. Through discussion, writing, media analysis, and creative projects, students will explore the relationship between identity, memory, language, community, and representation.
The lessons in this sample are designed to work together as a short unit, but they may also be used independently. Teachers are encouraged to adapt the activities based on grade level, classroom context, and the needs of their students.
Thank you for creating space for students to reflect, speak, listen, and tell stories that matter.
Sincerely,� [Project Team / Curriculum Team Name]
Asian American as Storytellers and Educators
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lesson 1�05 Introduction to Storytelling and Identity
Lesson 2�12 Who Am I? Personal Identity and Community
Lesson 3�17 Language, Voice, and Belonging
Lesson 4�25 Representation in Media and Education
Lesson 5�33 Asian Americans as Storytellers and Educators
Final Project Options�38 Personal Reflection Journal�43 Interview / Dialogue Project�49 Story Map / Community Narrative
Appendix�56 Sample Standards�62 Sample Rubrics�68 Graphic Organizers
LESSON 1 Asian American as Storytellers and Educators
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Students will:
MATERIALS NEEDED
VOCABULARY
LESSON ONE
INTRODUCTION
120 minutes
4
LESSON 1 Asian American as Storytellers and Educators
OPENING ACTIVITY�⏲ 10 minutes
Ask students to think about a story they remember hearing from a family member, teacher, friend, or community elder.
Have them write:
SHARING�⏲ 10 minutes
Students share with a partner or small group.
Invite volunteers to share patterns they noticed across their stories.
DEFINING STORYTELLING�⏲ 15 minutes
Write the word storytelling on the board.
Ask students:
As a class, create a working definition.
5
LESSON SEQUENCE
LESSON 1 Asian American as Storytellers and Educators
MINI DISCUSSION�⏲ 15 minutes
Discuss why stories matter in classrooms and communities.
Possible categories:
TEXT / MEDIA VIEWING�⏲ 30 minutes
Show a short video clip, read a short narrative, or present a visual story connected to Asian American experiences.
Students take notes on:
WHOLE-CLASS DISCUSSION�⏲ 25 minutes
Discussion questions:
As a class, create a working definition.
6
LESSON SEQUENCE
LESSON 1 Asian American as Storytellers and Educators
EXIT TICKET�⏲ 15 minutes
Prompt:
Write about a story that has shaped who you are. Why has it stayed with you?
7
SOCRATIC SEMINAR PROTOCOL
Sentence Starters
To agree
To ask a question
To disagree respectfully
LESSON SEQUENCE