Chinatowns Exploration Script

Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind? (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, class! Today, we're embarking on an exciting journey into American history. To get us started, I'd like you to take a moment and think about the word 'Chinatown.'"

"On your Chinatowns Warm-Up sheet, please write down any initial thoughts, associations, or prior knowledge you have about Chinatowns. Where might they be located? What kinds of things would you find there? What is their history? Just jot down whatever comes to mind. You have about 2-3 minutes for this."

(Allow students time to write.)

"Alright, let's hear some of your ideas. Who would like to share one thing that came to mind?"

(Call on a few students, acknowledging their responses and connecting them to the upcoming lesson.)

Introduction to Chinatowns (5 minutes)

"Thank you for sharing! As many of you mentioned, Chinatowns are vibrant and historic communities. Today, our objective is to explore the history and cultural impact of Chinatowns across the United States using some fantastic digital resources. We'll be understanding their role for Chinese immigrants and analyzing themes of community, culture, and resilience."

"We're going to take a virtual field trip using a special project from Google Arts & Culture. This platform offers amazing exhibits and stories from all over the world, and today, we're focusing on 'America's Chinatowns.'"

"I'll display the link on the screen: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/americas-chinatowns. When you get there, you'll see a collection of stories, photos, and artifacts. You can scroll through, click on different exhibits, and really dive into the rich history."

Digital Exploration Activity (15 minutes)

"Now, to guide your exploration, I'm handing out the Chinatowns Exploration Activity worksheet. As you navigate through the Google Arts & Culture project, you'll find questions on this sheet that relate to the content. Your task is to explore the various exhibits and complete the worksheet as you go."

"Remember, this is an exploration. Take your time, read the stories, look at the images, and try to understand the experiences of the people who built and lived in these communities. I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions or run into technical issues."

(Distribute the worksheet and ensure students can access the link. Circulate to provide support.)

Share and Discuss (5 minutes)

"Alright class, let's bring our attention back together. You've had some time to explore the fascinating world of America's Chinatowns. What are some interesting or surprising facts that you discovered during your exploration?"

(Call on students to share. Use prompts like:)

• "How did Chinatowns provide support for Chinese immigrants, especially when they first arrived in the United States?"
• "What challenges did these communities face, and how did they overcome them?"
• "What aspects of Chinese culture were successfully preserved and celebrated within these Chinatowns?"
• "Did any particular story or exhibit stand out to you? Why?"

"These communities truly show incredible resilience and cultural pride. I'll be collecting your Chinatowns Exploration Activity worksheets now."

Cool Down: One Word Summary (optional)

"To wrap up our lesson today, I'm going to hand out these Chinatowns Cool Down slips. On your slip, I'd like you to write down one key takeaway from today's exploration. It could be a single word, a short phrase, or a brief sentence that summarizes what you learned or what you found most impactful."

"This will serve as your exit ticket for today. Thank you for your engagement and thoughtful exploration!"

What comes to mind when you hear "Chinatown"?

Take a moment to write down any initial thoughts, associations, or prior knowledge you have related to the term "Chinatown."

Consider the following:

• Where might these communities be located?
• What kinds of things would you expect to find there (e.g., food, shops, architecture, celebrations)?
• What do you know or wonder about their history in the United States?

My thoughts on "Chinatown" are:

Chinatowns: A US Story - Digital Exploration Activity

Instructions: Navigate to the Google Arts & Culture project: America's Chinatowns. Explore the various exhibits and stories, then answer the questions below based on your discoveries.

Section 1: Early Chinatowns and Immigration

1. What historical events or periods led to the establishment of the first Chinatowns in the United States?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What challenges did early Chinese immigrants face when they arrived in the U.S.? How did Chinatowns help them overcome these challenges?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Describe one example of how a Chinatown served as a center for community and support for immigrants.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 2: Culture and Resilience

4. Identify at least three cultural elements or traditions that were preserved and celebrated within Chinatowns (e.g., food, festivals, arts).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. How did Chinatowns adapt and change over time while maintaining their unique identity?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Find a story or artifact that demonstrates the resilience of the Chinatown community in the face of discrimination or hardship. Briefly describe it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 3: Reflection

7. What was the most surprising or interesting thing you learned about America's Chinatowns today?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. In your own words, explain why Chinatowns are an important part of United States history.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Chinatowns: One Big Idea

What is one key takeaway from today's exploration of America's Chinatowns? It could be a word, a phrase, or a short sentence that summarizes what you learned or what you found most impactful.

My key takeaway is: