Filipino Americans by Carolyn  P. Yoder

Yoder, C. (2003). Filipino Americans. Chicago: Heinemann Library.

                  

In the interview “20 Questions Answered by Carolyn Yoder”, by Margo Dill, Carolyn Yoder is introduced as the Senior Editor of Highlights for Children, the senior editor of history and world cultures. 

In the nonfiction book Filipino Americans the author introduces aspects of Filipino culture and history and explains how Filipino people immigrated to the United States. The book includes photographs of people, foods, festivals, dances, homes, stores, families and organizations as well as maps and charts.

The color photographs which show smiling faces are bright and cheerful, and the historical black and white photographs show fishermen, plantation workers, factory workers, homes and businesses. The facts in the book introduce students to the study of demographics so that students can understand how and why people move from one region to another. 

This is a good book for a social studies class and is a good connection point between the study of Asia and the study of immigrant populations in the United States. 

Activities

1.  .  Have students visit the Asian Info Web site < http://www.asianinfo.org/> to investigate the history,          geography and culture of the Philippines      <http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/philippines/about_philippines.htm> and fill in an information        chart about culture and traditions, religion, languages, foods and history.

2.   Have students investigate U. S. involvement in the Philippines and explains reasons that the U. S.     became involved with this country.

3.  Have students create a timeline of the Philippines’ history before and after U. S. involvement.

4.  Have students explore tropic fruits and food products and locate recipes with these tropic fruits.

Comprehension Questions

                         1. How many islands make up the Philippines?

            2..  When did Filipinos start coming to the Americas?

            3.  In which areas in the U. S. did many Filipinos settle?

  

            4.  What holidays and festivals are celebrated by Filipinos in the U. S.?

            5.    What are some of the reasons Filipinos come to the U. S.

        

                         6. How is the Philippines different from other Asian countries?