High School lesson plan: The Oklahoma Chinatown
Lesson Plan Summary
In this lesson, students will explore the obscure mystery of Oklahoma Chinatown and how it is allegedly underground. They will learn and review the historical context behind the existence of Oklahoma’s Chinatown and the impact of falsified history and misinformation on future generations. In addition, they will learn about the history of the migrations of Chinese immigrants into Oklahoma City. This will be accomplished by studying various news articles as well as engaging in group discussions.
Time Allotment
This lesson should be completed over two class periods, each lasting approximately 90 to 120 minutes. The first-class period will be dedicated to learning about the alleged history of the underground Chinatown. The second-class period will focus on the migration and settlement of Chinese people in Oklahoma.
Supplies/Material Needed
- Pen or Pencil
- Computer or Tablet with internet
- Printed Handout of Packet 1:
- International Chinese Business Directory of the World. 1913
- The Daily Oklahoman, 1969 Apr 11th
- Fusion cuisine traced back to assimilating immigrants in 2019
- The Underground World of Willie Hong 2019
- Oklahoma City map post-WWII
- Discussion questions #1
- Printed handout packet 2
- The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
- 1907 Oklahoma Census Records, pg. 11
- Empty timeline worksheet
- Discussion Questions #2
- Timeline key for instructor
Bibliography
Wong, Kin. 1913. International Chinese Business Directory of the World. San Francisco, CA: International Chinese Business Directory. http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b440600;view=1up;seq=1.
WEGARS, PRISCILLA. “Exposing Negative Chinese Terminology and Stereotypes.” In Chinese Diaspora Archaeology in North America, edited by CHELSEA ROSE and J. RYAN KENNEDY, 83–108. University Press of Florida, 2020. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvx075dg.8.
Johnson, Larry. 2024. “The Underground World of Willie Hong | Metropolitan Library System.” Metropolitan Library System. 2024. https://www.metrolibrary.org/archives/essay/2019/07/underground-world-willie-hong.
Hatch, Katherine . 1969. “Revived Chinese Dragon Roars; ‘Underground City’ Gets Bigger.” The Daily Oklahoman , April 10, 1969.
Everett, Dianna. 2010. “Asians | the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.” Www.okhistory.org. January 15, 2010. https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=AS006.
Cathey, Dave. 2019. “Fusion Cuisine Traced back to Assimilating Immigrants.” The Oklahoman. Oklahoman. April 7, 2019. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/dave-cathey/2019/04/07/fusion-cuisine-traced-back-to-assimilating-immigrants/60463227007/.
Ashburn, J. Foster. 1943. Map of Oklahoma City – WWII-Era Street Plan of Oklahoma City. Https://Www.abebooks.com/Map-Oklahoma-City-WWII-Era-Street-Plan/31695370696/Bd.
Stratus, Hon.S Oscar S. 1907. “DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE and LABOR CeVlSVlS.”https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1907pop_OK-IndianTerritory.pdf.