Guide Entry to 26.03.02
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, A Piece of Home by Jeri Watts, sets the stage for a book study on Asian American experiences for the month of May. Hee Jun and his family have moved from Korea to West Virginia, where his father has accepted a teaching job. He struggles to adapt to his new life, speak English, keep up in school, and just be himself. He finds a connection to his old home through the discovery of the mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) flower, which his grandmother then plants in their new garden. The power of community is highlighted as he and his family start to feel at home, and a Rose of Sharon takes on important symbolism.
Included in the collection are stories that cover the themes of immigration, classroom community, and acceptance and belonging. Students will learn that these stories that are based on real events written through the genres of autobiography, biography, or historical fiction, understanding that people can share, tell, or retell the experiences to help others learn how lives are both different and similar. Stories about immigration often explore profound themes such as identity, belonging, cultural conflict, and the search for a better life.
(Developed for Social Studies and Literacy, grade K; recommended for Social Studies and Literacy, grades K-3)
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