Discover engaging AAPI Heritage Month 2025 classroom activities to explore the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities.
In the US, we dedicate the month of May to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor and celebrate the deep histories, rich cultures, and significant contributions of these communities. Explore our list of AAPI Heritage Month classroom activities, designed to make learning impactful and engaging. Our focus remains on fostering a workplace that reflects the global communities we engage with, driving innovation and delivering meaningful outcomes for our partners and customers.
Discover four ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month 2025 and foster a broad perspective on the contributions and achievements of AAPI communities. These resources help inspire curiosity, support critical thinking, and connect students to the powerful stories of AAPI individuals who have shaped our world.
1. Immerse your classroom in the culture of Ngā Motu
Use Minecraft Education to explore vast worlds outside of your classroom. In Ngā Motu (The Islands), students learn about the indigenous culture of the Māori people, from language to architecture, arts, and economics. Take an immersive visit from the maunga (mountain) to the ākau (shore) and everything in between to learn about the Māori language and culture. Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Ngā Motu and discover the wonders of Māori culture!
Classroom connection: Before getting started, review the supporting resources on the Ngā Motu lesson page. You’ll find a lesson plan, an introductory video, and a resource pack that includes traditional pā (settlement) and ride waka hourua (boats) to enhance the experience for students.
2. Explore AAPI topics through targeted reading practice
Reading Coach is a free, standalone Learning Accelerator that helps students develop reading fluency skills through personalized, AI-powered reading practice. When students read aloud, Reading Coach provides real-time feedback on pronunciation, syllabification accuracy, and reading progress.
Use Reading Coach to seamlessly blend AAPI topics into reading practice while supporting each student’s literacy growth. Students can use the “Add your own passage” mode to upload texts, like assigned articles, textbook excerpts, or their own writing. You can tailor practice to individual learning needs and objectives with Reading Coach, while enhancing engagement with AAPI heritage and history. Help learners discover the joy of reading with Reading Coach.
Classroom connection: Browse this collection of Aapi boooks for inspiration and ideas on finding relevant passages for your students. Reading Coach also has built-in passages for each reading level that students can read to learn more about AAPI cultures.
3. Develop communication skills while learning AAPI heritage
Communication skills are essential for success. As students explore AAPI figures, culture, and history, they can develop multimedia presentations to showcase their findings. Use Speaker Progress and Speaker Coach, two Learning Accelerators, to help develop your students’ public speaking skills.
Use Speaker Progress to create presentation assignments and track your students’ growth at the individual, class, grade, and school levels. Then have your students use Speaker Coach to complete the assignment, while receiving real-time, AI-powered feedback on pacing, pitch, clarity and more. Discover how Speaker Progress and Speaker Coach can help build communication confidence in your classroom.
Classroom connection: Have students present on influential AAPI figures like Suni Lee, Senator Tammy Duckworth, or Shohei Ohtani. They can develop their communication skills and build their confidence by independently practicing their presentation with Speaker Coach before presenting to their class or community.
4. Enhance lesson planning with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
Copilot Chat can help you create customized materials, activities, and lessons. Use it to design engaging content that connects students with the history and contributions of AAPI communities.
Streamline and innovate your lesson planning process by starting with one of these ready-to-use prompts in Copilot Chat and customizing it for your needs:
Design a STEAM lesson plan for elementary students that explores traditional AAPI art or inventions. Include hands-on activities that connect art and science, step-by-step instructions, and reflection prompts to help students connect culture to creativity and innovation.
Create a 1-week high school ELA or Humanities lesson plan where students research and analyze the impact of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists and writers on contemporary culture. Include learning objectives, suggested artists/authors (e.g., Ruth Asawa, Yo-Yo Ma), and key discussion questions.
Help me update an existing lesson plan to include meaningful perspectives from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. I want to keep the original learning objectives intact but integrate AAPI voices, content, or activities into the texts, resources, and activities sections. (Attach a lesson plan or provide subject, grade, and learning objectives)
Try using Copilot Chat for lesson planning, brainstorming, creating images, getting quick answers to your questions, and more. Build your competency with AI and Copilot with the Copilot Chat learning module.
Honor AAPI Heritage Month by exploring the remarkable people, vibrant cultures, and significant contributions that have enriched our world. Use the time to design engaging, immersive learning experiences that foster essential skills like literacy, communication, and critical thinking. Inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation both in and beyond your classroom with AAPI Heritage Month classroom activities from Microsoft Education.
The code of us
At Microsoft, we believe different perspectives lead to a brighter future. Discover stories of innovation and inspiration from Microsoft employees and artists. The Code of Us isn’t just what we create—it’s who we are. Employees, their stories, and their truths are what power Microsoft. This Heritage Month, The Code of Us is all about celebrating the vibrant culture and incredible impact of the AAPI community at Microsoft.
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