Chinese New Year’s Special: A Dragon’s Tale
Grades K – 6 / 60 minutes / $60
This presentation tells the tale of how the Chinese zodiac came to be. Through interactive storytelling, students take on roles of the different zodiac animals. They also uncover the mythological development of the Chinese dragon, learning that the dragon is a peaceful, benevolent creature, much revered in Chinese cultures. In celebration of the Chinese New Year, each student receives a hong bao, or red envelope, for good luck.
CA Standards: History/Social Science K,1,3; Theatre K-5

Calligraphy*
Grades K – 12 / 60 minutes / $60
Learn to count in Chinese. Students learn about the concept of language and how writing is a universal communication tool in China. Students watch their name written in calligraphy by a museum staff teacher and receive worksheets to practice writing numbers with Chinese characters. An optional brush painting activity can be added on to this CEP.
CA Standards: History/Social Science K, 1, 3, 6; Visual Arts K-12

Window Flowers: The Art of Chinese Paper Cutting
Grades 2 – 6 / 60 minutes / $60
This presentation familiarizes students with everyday symbols then uses this skill to analyze symbolism in art. By learning the distinctive features of this Chinese folk art, they will learn how to distinguish Chinese art from other world art forms. Students also try their hand at making their own paper cut-outs!
CA Standards: History/Social Science K, 1, 3; Visual Arts K-12

Ancient Chinese Science and Technology
Grades 2 – 12 / 60 minutes / $60
Discover how ancient Chinese technology changed the world. With groundbreaking inventions such as paper, gunpowder, the compass, and seismograph, China was once the global leader in technological innovation. In this lesson, students will examine the scientific principles behind a few Chinese inventions and learn how their spread revolutionized the ancient world. Participants will make their own woodblock prints to see how ancient Chinese printing greatly accelerated the spread of information.
CA Standards: History/Social Science 2, 4; Science 7; Visual Arts K-12

Chinese Painting and Poetry*
Grades 3 – 8 / 60 – 90 minutes / $60
Students will be introduced to basic concepts and common imagery of Taoism through exposure to Taoist inspired paintings and poetry. Students will then put their knowledge to use by creating their own art and poetry. An optional brush painting activity can be added on to this CEP. For this option, materials and instruction will be provided so that students can practice brush painting technique and create their own brush painting!
CA Standards: History/Social Science 3,6; English Language Arts K-12; Visual Arts K-12

Marco Polo and the Mongol Empire
Grades 5 – 7 / 60 – 90 minutes / $60
Witness Genghis Khan conquer the largest continuous empire the world has ever known. Learn the reasons behind the spread of the Mongol Empire and how it enabled Marco Polo to embark on his incredible journeys. Learn about the nomadic Mongolian lifestyle, the founding of the Yuan Dynasty and the impact of Marco Polo’s travels on future exploration. Students also review Asian geography when they trace the travels of the Polos and map the greatest extent of the Mongol Empire.
CA Standards: History/Social Science 5,7

The Voyages of Zheng He
Grades 5 – 9 / 60 – 90 minutes / $60
Explore the world of the Ming Dynasty with the massive armada of Zheng He. Students will learn the reasons behind the rise and fall of Chinese maritime exploration; contrast the Ming tribute system with European colonialism and evaluate the positions of scholars, merchants and eunuchs in traditional Chinese society.
They will also use their creativity to plan a voyage of their own!
CA Standards: History/Social Science 5,7

The Rise and Fall of the Qin Dynasty
Grade 6 / 90 minutes / $60
The building of the Great Wall, the unification of China, and the ending of centuries of war are depicted in this presentation about the First Emperor of China, Shi Huangdi. Students get to play the roles of influential characters of the Qin Dynasty and experience how society was run during Legalist rule. Mysticism is touched on as the Emperor searches for the elixir of immortality that would enable him to rule forever!
CA Standards: History/Social Science 6

The Culture and History of China in Broad Strokes
Grades 6 – 12 / 90 minutes / $60
Trace the history of one of the oldest and most influential civilizations on earth. Observe the impact of the three great teachings of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Watch the development of traditional arts as dynasties rise and fall in accord with the Mandate of Heaven. This primer in Chinese culture and history extends from the centralization of authority under the Qin Dynasty, through the turbulent Republican and Maoist eras into the modern day.
CA Standards: History/Social Science 6, 7, 8, 10, 11

Temporary Exhibit Lectures $60
Delve deeper into the current display in the Sun Yat-Sen Extension Building in an informative PowerPoint presentation with our education coordinator. Contact the museum to find out what is currently available.

*Brush Painting Add-On $30
Experience Chinese calligraphy or brush painting firsthand! The extra fee allows participants to create their own art with ink and brushes in conjunction with one of the above lessons marked with an asterisk.

Museum & Garden Tour
$50 / $30 with a presentation
This one hour docent-led tour provides an overview of the history of San Diego’s Chinatown, Chinese art and culture, the museum’s Asian garden, and an explanation of the current featured exhibit and permanent collection. This tour is for groups of up to 30 people.
CA Standards: History/Social Science K-4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11; Visual Arts 3-12

Asian Pacific Historic District Walking Tour (includes museum admission)
Every second Saturday of the month. 11AM – 12:30PM
$4 per person / $60 per group on request
Explore old Chinatown and the Japanese and Filipino districts in San Diego’s old Stingaree red-light district with Curator Murray K. Lee or Board Member Michael Yee. The tour is co-sponsored by the Asian Pacific Historic Collaborative. Includes museum admission. Reservations are required. Please RSVP by 3:30pm on the Friday prior to the walking tour. Offered on the second Saturday of every month or upon request. For more information, please contact the museum.
CA Standards: History/Social Science 3, 4, 8, 10, 11

Searching for Gold Mountain: the Immigration Experience
Grades K-12 / 60 minutes / $60
Students will reenact the journey of early Chinese immigrants who fled warfare and famine in the declining Qing Dynasty to labor under discrimination and exclusion in the U.S. They’ll experience how subsequent generations served and suffered in WWII, and see why a new wave of immigration and progress towards equality followed. To learn how this experience cuts across cultures, students will view a presentation about diverse San Diegans who made similar journeys. From the pioneering spirit of William Heath Davis, to Ah Quin: the unofficial mayor of San Diego’s Chinatown, to the growth and internment of the Japanese community, and the more recent resettlement of Vietnamese refugees, students will learn how, in each case, hard work and education were keys to success. **Presentations held at the museum include a walking tour of the Asian Pacific Historic District.
CA Standards: History/Social Science 3, 4, 8, 10, 11

San Diego Downtown Exploration
Grades 4-11 / 60 minutes / $60
Learn how diverse groups of settlers and immigrants made downtown what it is today in this new walking tour presented in collaboration with the Gaslamp Historical Foundation and the Centre City Development Corporation. The walk starts at the William Heath Davis House and highlights the historic architecture of the Gaslamp and old Chinatown. You can even pause to eat your lunch in the museum garden before seeing the Asian Pacific Historic District, making a brief stop at the Balboa Theatre and ending at the Downtown Information Center in Horton Plaza.
CA Standards: History/Social Science 4, 8,10, 11