May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! One of my favorite ways to honor AAPI month in the classroom is with this activity. I first did this with my students in 2019 and it was engaging and relative to my students which led them to ask questions and become eager to learn more!
This activity focuses on honoring the first Asian American actress in Hollywood, Anna May Wong. I love teaching about her because she is a pioneer for Asian women and a great role model.
We made our own Walk of Fame (except it was a window display!) and Hollywood Stars. Students cut out stars (pink construction paper is ideal, we only had copy paper) and glued them to precut black construction paper. Then I painted both of their hands with red paint and they got to press their hands to the stars – just like celebrities do when they’re being honored with their star! Students loved seeing their name and handprints on display.
I first showed my students an image of Anna May Wong and explained how she was the first Asian American actress, being of Chinese descent, in Hollywood. Her first acting role was in 1919 but it was until the mid 1920’s and 1930’s that she became recognized for her fashion sense and talent. She emerged at a time where Hollywood was made up of strictly White men and women, so Anna May Wong was a trailblazer for the representation of Asian women and people in Hollywood. Her success in the face of adversity has led to many amazing contributions to Hollywood and media culture that we have today, such as movies like Crazy Rich Asians and actresses like Sandra Oh!
Anna May Wong is also on the U.S. quarter!
HappilyTeaching 
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