Visiting the Chinese American Museum

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

After my assistance to hear Lisa See talk about her Chinese family and the struggle as she was also white, I had the opportunity to meet Michael Truong who works at the Chinese American Museum

It was kind of funny how we started talking, I had to stop at the door to finish a cookie before I could come inside the Museum. He was holding the door and I mentioned that I had the Chinese Culture Club. He told me that I could bring my club to visit the museum and that there was money to pay for buses sponsored by the musuem

so....

Now I am planning my new trip to the museum with my newest members of the CLub. I had already a trip to Chinatown planned for Nov 4, Now I will have another trip exclusively to visit the Museum.

I am very happy I met Michael and specially happy that instead of running around in one day to see it all, I can split the experience into two separate trips, making it more relaxed for the students and giving them the opportunity to really see and explore as much in detail as possible

let me share the museum info:

213-485-8567
http://www.camla.org

Michael Troung [email protected]

[Anonymous]

That was great!!

I think it would be especially interesting for the students since there were a couple of hands-on activities that the students can experience. ie. the magnetic dart map that indicates where you're from and each person can change, the counter-- that one was very interesting... a volunteer was there to explain and show us how the chinese are able to count faster with it. The second floor has a display of the Chinese influence in film.... fascinating movies, which are sure to interest high school students very much! 😎

[Anonymous]

When we were at the Chinese Museum we saw an ancient counting instrument. It was a traditional Chinese way of counting on a wooden abacus. I remember using one when I was younger and decided to do some reseach on it.
The Chinese abacus was developed about 5000 years ago. It was built out of wood and beads. It could be held and carried around easily. The abacus was so successful that its use spread form China to many other countries. The abacus does not actually do the computing, as today's calculators do. It helps people keep track of numbers as they do the computing.
The museum guide said he could compute faster than a calculator with the abacus!

[Anonymous]

This relatively new museum is a Los Angeles gem. It is tucked away just near the freeway on the edge of ChinaTown. It offers an intriguing glimpse of Chinese immigrants and new citizens over many years in Los Angeles!

[Anonymous]

I've yet to visit this museum and would love to take a day to do so. I've visited the Japanese and the Korean-American Museum and had lots of resources that would be helpful in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

I need to go to this museum, and am almost embarrassed to say I have not.
Need to go.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for bringing this museum to our attention! I had no idea there even was a Chinese American Museum. I've been to the JANM in Little Tokyo, the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, and the Korean Cultural Center. We are so lucky to have many fine museums at our disposal (What kinds of field trips do teachers have who live in small towns and rural areas?). It's great to hear about another one that is student-friendly! I'll keep this in mind for next school year. Maybe U.S. History teachers at my school would be interested in knowing about the Chinese American Museum--they could probably tie it in with Asian Immigration.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the great idea! Looks like there is lots of fabulous things for the students to experience. I wish there was more money for field trips. I guess I could offer it as an extra credit assignment for the students to go and experience the museum. Thanks again!

[Juan Liebana-Mena]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I visited the Chinese American Museum a few years ago and had a wonderful time too. I just checked their exhibit schedule and think there is a great one for students to both find relevance in today's Los Angeles Asian Arts culture and learn more about Chinese history. They have a current exhibit titled "Don't Believe the Hype: LA Asian Americans in Hip Hop" that opens on May 18. The exhibition includes artwork, videos, and presentation from working DJ's and Hip Hop artists that I think many of our students may find relevant. They address topics such as sterotypes, prejudice, and challenges many Los Angeles Asian American artists encountered on their musicial and artistic journey. 

Here's a link to the exhibit: http://camla.org/upcoming-exhibits/

[Tiffany Chang]

Thank you for sharing your experience and your information! I have yet to visit CAMLA after living in Southern California for quite a few years now. My students are predominantly Asian, more specifically of Chinese descent. It is very telling how students do not know what is beyond San Gabriel Valley and the history of Chinese immigrants and early generations of Chinese Americans. I hope that they can see how life in the United States for Chinese Americans was a rough time and it is important for them to see who paved the way for them or their families to come to America. 

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