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LESSON 3: PUSHING BOUNDARIES
The Thought
Bruce Lee chose to confidently represent himself to the world, both unapologetically and honestly. Understanding what
it can mean to represent yourself can be a powerful force in shedding the limits and obstacles society creates for many
ethnic groups living in the United States.
Description
Students reflect on a series of questions and write three entries in a journal about their own family history, how they
perceive immigrants and refugees, and what they believe is their one honest truth.
Objectives
1. Understand the landscape of Asian migration, immigration and settlement.
2. Recognize the importance of self-representation.
3. Identify three ways they have underestimated their classmates and how their perceptions may have changed.
4. Identify how both external and internal forces conceptions of race, nationality, ethnicity and culture affect
society’s perceptions of immigrant groups, and individuals.
Time Frame
2 class periods. The first activity involves the students’ personal reflections on a series of questions journaling their
thoughts on their own answers. The second activity is a full class kinetic and observational game, followed by group
discussion. Following the discussion students will be asked to journal their responses to a number of questions.
Materials
• Notebook or loose leaf paper
• Pen or pencil
Supplemental Reading (Selected)
“A Brief History of Asian Immigration”
“Supplemental Instructor Materials: Teacher Guidelines for Discussing Race”
(please email
to receive a copy)
Vocabulary
Acculturate
American
Culture
Ethnicity
Foreign
Heritage
Immigrant
Migrant
Nationality
Perseverance
Race
Refugee
Resilience
Security
Tradition
Teacher Prep
Review the supplemental reading packet and become familiar with the materials for the lesson.
Decide if these readings fit with your own lesson plans.
LESSON 3:
PUSHING BOUNDARIES
