May was a special month in the classroom for Belleville’s elementary students. Belleville Elementary School celebrated Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) throughout the month of May with weekly lessons and activities organized by Amara Tang (speech-language pathologist) and Katie Worple (K-6 EL Teacher & Coordinator). Weekly topics included food, expressions, family customs and language, and the contributions of AANHPI people. During May, students experienced weekly videos highlighting the perspectives of AANHPI children; lunch choices inspired by Asian cuisine; and crafts (creating a Korean bojagi and Japanese origami).
Additionally, students enjoyed books being read aloud that were written by AANHPI authors. They were also given the opportunity to learn some words and phrases in AANHPI languages, increasing literacy awareness in languages beyond English. Being exposed to other cultures and languages provides students with a window to see into the world of others who may be different from themselves and what they have experienced growing up in a small Wisconsin rural community like Belleville. To celebrate other cultures, traditions and languages and hear from other voices is a vital part of what AANHPI Heritage Month provides educationally.
Amara Tang emphasizes, “I truly had so much fun creating AANHPI Heritage Month activities. When I think back to my elementary school days, I know my younger self would have really appreciated our school doing these sorts of things. I’ve received some amazing feedback from teachers and students that has been extremely heart-warming and fulfilling. I am so proud to be Asian American!”
During the month of May, Belleville Elementary students also enjoyed experiencing mini-lessons in their classrooms on influential AANHPI individuals. First grade teacher Amber Sies enjoyed taking part in AANHPI Heritage Month with her students.
Sies says, “These activities have been incredibly engaging this week and super fun and educational for the kids. I loved teaching them about AANHPI heritage and feel so thankful for the work put into this!”
Val Kieler’s Kindergarten class went on a scavenger hunt around the school to find influential AANHPI people. Their images were posted around the school in areas that relate to each person’s contributions (e.g. Amy Tan, a famous author, could be found in the library. Auli’i Cravalho, a famous Native Hawaiian actor/singer for Disney, could be found by the music room.) Kindergartners found famous fashion designer Vera Wang’s photo outside the art room.
Val Kieler appreciated having the opportunity to expose her students to other cultures during May in such fun and inviting ways. The activities were well thought-out and engaging for all age-levels.
Kieler adds, “Kindergartners and I enjoyed going through all the individuals in the slides during the morning snack. We looked at their names, pictures, and snippets of some videos. They especially enjoyed watching the space shuttle and Olympians! Thanks for putting this together!”
Lastly, students enjoyed learning about Asian art. While they may have already been exposed to Japanese paper art in the form of origami, creating bojagi — which is a traditional Korean cloth that is made of a variety of materials, was new for many. May provided a dedicated time for students in Belleville to explore AANHPI Heritage Month activities thanks to the work of Amara Tang and Katie Worple. The planned educational materials and activities provided a wonderful and insightful way to open young minds to other cultures, languages, and traditions.
— Marie Perry is the Communications Director for the School District of Belleville. She can be reached at perrym@belleville.k12.wi.us.
