Discovering Asia Using Pairs Share

 This month, our class has been diving into an exciting reading unit centered around Asia and the rich contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. As part of our commitment to broadening students' global awareness and cultural understanding, we’ve been exploring mentor texts that highlight both the history and geography of Asia, as well as stories that reflect the diverse voices and experiences of AAPI individuals.

One of the highlights of our unit has been an engaging activity where students became researchers and teachers! Using our mentor texts, students searched for key information about Asia’s vast history and geographical features. They focused on topics such as major religions, unique landscapes, historical trade routes like the Silk Road, and powerful empires that shaped the continent.

To help organize their thinking, students used tree maps—a visual tool that helps sort and categorize information. This graphic organizer allowed them to break down complex topics into manageable sections, encouraging deeper comprehension and critical thinking.

After gathering their information, students practiced the Kagan cooperative learning structure “Pairs Share.”

This strategy gave each child a chance to teach their partner about what they learned, reinforcing their understanding and building communication skills in the process.

It was incredible to see students so engaged as they taught one another about the Great Wall of China, the spread of Buddhism, the geography of the Himalayan region, and much more. Not only are they growing as readers, but they are also developing as informed, curious global citizens.