After the Gold Rush, many Irish and Chinese immigrants found work building the Transcontinental Railroad, which connected the Pacific Coast with existing tracks in the eastern United States. In the classroom this week, we watched a short PBS film focused on the experience of the Chinese railroad workers. Students were amazed to see photos and footage of the process, which was largely done by hand, and discussed why the famous photo of the railroad’s completion did not include the Chinese people who had helped to build it.
In the kitchen, we made lo mein, just in time for Lunar New Year celebrations. We learned that in Chinese culture, noodles symbolize long life, and are eaten during the new year for luck and good fortune. Ours is a simple but satisfying recipe that even the stubbornest anti-vegetable chefs tried! Everyone also had the opportunity to practice using chopstick, which added to the fun of the class. Happy Year of the Dragon to all!
