LESSON: THE FIRST LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN THE UNITED STATES

According to the California History/Social Studies Standards,
students in kindergarten study “historical connections between the
world today and the world long ago” and develop “historical
empathy for how people lived long ago.” Students in kindergarten
learn about holidays celebrated in America. However, most curricula
only cover the “typical American” holidays, such as Independence
Day, Thanksgiving, President’s Day, etc. Social Studies lessons in
kindergarten less often teach celebrations like Lunar New Year,
which was celebrated as early as 1851 in San Francisco’s
Chinatown during the Gold Rush era. This lesson covers the first
Lunar New Year celebration in the United States, and how Asian
Americans adapted in order to continue embracing their heritage
today.

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