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Sikh American Heritage Toolkit

Sikhs have been in the United States for over 120 years, and yet this community has frequently been overlooked or erased due to a lack of understanding of this distinct faith tradition. While there has been (much needed) increased attention to the history and current experiences of the highly diverse AAPI communities in the U.S., Sikh Americans are still largely absent from curricular materials and initiatives intended to educate about the experiences and perspectives of AAPI communities.

This Toolkit aids educators in increasing the representation of Sikh Americans in stories of both the challenges and accomplishments of Asian Americans and religious minorities. The Toolkit is organized around three themes: Foundations, Historical Perspectives, and Windows & Mirrors.
FOUNDATIONS
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
WINDOWS & MIRRORS

OBJECTIVES

Provide resources to expand and enrich teaching of AAPI History and Heritage
--
Promote knowledge about the history, practices, values, and experiences of Sikh Americans
--
Recognize the struggles and successes of the Sikh American community

*Denotes materials in progress, check back soon for access.
  • Standards and Frameworks
  • C3 Framework
  • State Standards
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The Toolkit draws on the C3 Inquiry Arc, providing opportunities to develop inquiry questions, critically evaluate sources, and engage students with contemporary media portraying Sikh Americans. 

In particular, the Toolkit is closely aligned with the Religious Studies framework that was added to the C3 in 2017. This includes demonstrating the internal diversity of the Sikh community (D2.Rel.2.9-12) through primary sources and interviews with Sikh Americans, examining the ways in which religion and culture are closely intertwined (D2.Rel.4.9-12), and giving attention to “how religious identities shape and are shaped by the beliefs people hold, the behaviors the exhibit, and the ways people experience membership in intersecting communities” (p. 94 D2.Rel.5.9-12; commonly referred to as the 3Bs framework in religious literacy education). 

In addition to alignment with the C3 Framework, this Toolkit includes connections to the recently passed California Ethnic Studies course requirement and selected state curriculum standards. Individual lessons and resources include relevant literacy standards from the Common Core State Standards.
Individual lessons include references to specific indicators in the C3 framework. However, the following indicators apply broadly across the Toolkit materials. (Indicators for grades 9-12 are shown for clarity, but the lower grade bands can also apply)

Civics
Civ.12.9-12 - Analyze how people use and challenge local, state, national, and international laws to address a variety of civic issues
Civ.14.9-12 - Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights


Geography
Geo.6.9-12 - Evaluate the impact of human settlement activities on the environmental and cultural characteristics of specific places and regions.
Geo.7.9-12 - Analyze the reciprocal nature of how historical events and the spacial diffusion of ideas, technologies, and cultural practices have influenced migration patterns and distribution of human population.

History
His.2.9-12
-  Analyze change and continuity in historical eras.
His.4.9-12 - Analyze complex and interacting factors that influenced the perspectives of people during different historical eras.
His.5.9-12 - Analyze how historical contexts shaped and continue to shape people's perspectives.
His.12.9-12 - Use questions generated about multiple historical sources to pursue further inquiry and investigate additional sources.

Religious Studies
Rel.2.9-12 - Describe and analyze examples of religious are internally diverse at both macro levels (sects and divisions within traditions) and mirco levels (differences within specific religious communities).
Rel.4.9-12 - Describe and analyze examples of how religions are embedded in all aspects of culture and cannot be isolated to the 'private' sphere.
Rel.5.9-12 - Explain how religious identities shape and are shaped by the beliefs people hold, the behaviors they exhibit, and the says people experience membership in intersecting communities.
Rel.6.9-12 - Identify how internal diversity is evident in beliefs, behaviors, and experiences of belonging to various communities.
Rel.8.9-12 - Give examples of how beliefs, behaviors, and community experiences shape and are shaped by one another in particular social and historical contexts.
Details coming soon!
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Foundations

The first section of the Toolkit builds essential knowledge and skills for learning about Sikhi and for developing cultural and religious literacy. Materials introduce the history, practices, and values of Sikhi. Additional resources provide guidance on integrating study about Sikhi into the curriculum.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS


POSTERS AND BOOKMARKS


Cultural Safari Video and Teacher Resource Guide

Identity Explorer Activity

Identity Explorer Lesson Plan

Introduction to Sikhi Jigsaw Activity*


Know Your Sikh Student Bookmark [PDF]

TEACHER RESOURCES


EXTERNAL RESOURCES


Introduction to Teaching about Sikhism


American Academy of Religion Guidelines for Teaching about Religion in K-12 Public Schools in the United States

C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standard — Religious Studies Supplement begins on page 92

Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion and Public Schools

A Teacher's Guide to Religion in the Public Schools

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Historical Perspectives

Sikhism was founded on the revolutionary ideas of equality, the worth of every individual, and selfless service to all. From 16th century India to 21st century America, Sikhs have lived out these values to foster better communities for all people. The case studies in this section of the Toolkit focus on the often untold stories of Sikhs in U.S. history.

CASE STUDIES


Defining Citizenship: United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind (1923) [PDF]

Right to Wear a Turban Case Study*

LESSON PLANS


Exploring Sikhism Through the Lives of Individuals [PDF]
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Windows & Mirrors

Although Sikh identity is often very visible on the surface, the history, practices, beliefs, and experiences of Sikh Americans are almost entirely invisible, in public discourse and in public schools. The resources in this section provide windows into the lives and experiences of Sikh Americans while also creating opportunities for Sikh students to see themselves reflected in the curriculum.

READING LIST & GUIDES


MULTIMEDIA


 2022 Booklist [PDF]

Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh Reading Guide [PDF]

Youth Voices Interview Series

Break the Silence Video



CASE STUDIES


Representations of Sikh Americans in the Media: Gallery Walk Activity

Sikh Values in Action Case Study*


Suggestions or requests for additional toolkit content?
Reach out to education@kaurfoundation.org

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  • About Us
    • Vision & Mission
    • KF Approach
    • Our Team
    • Our Story
    • Our Work
    • What is Kaur?
    • Why Diversity Education?
  • Be Involved
    • Share Your Story
    • Donate
    • Be Social
    • Internships
  • Events
    • NCSS & KF Excellence in DEI Awards
  • Sikhs in America
    • FAQs
    • Celebrating Sikh Holidays
    • Vaisakhi
  • Educator Resources
    • KF Library
    • Sikh Heritage Toolkit
    • Youth Voices
    • Know your Sikh Student
    • Cultural Safari
    • Guest Speakers
    • Educator Training
  • Contact