PROJECT B: HISTORY TRAIN
USING COOLIES IN THE CLASSROOM
Lesson plans courtesy of illustrator Chris Soentpiet
PROJECT A: COOLIES HATS
In the mid-19th century, when they were constructing the transcontinental railroad, Chinese laborers played a vital role. Despite facing derogatory labels like “coolies,” they stood out with their unique headgear. These hats, often referred to as “coolie hats” or “rice hats,” were crafted from straw and had a cone-shaped design, shielding them from the sun while allowing air to flow. The adoption of these hats became a symbol of the significant contribution made by Chinese laborers to the railroad’s construction. It’s truly remarkable how these hardworking individuals persisted through challenging conditions to help build such an iconic project!
STEP 1
Materials needed:
1. scissor
2. long rope
3. paper or styrofoam
4. plate
5. ruler
6. glue
7. straw (can be a drinking straw)
stapler
STEP 2
Measure the hat’s radius
STEP 3
Cut the straws to the length of the hat’s radius.
Glue the straws to the hats.
STEP 4
Braids can be made from black garbage bags, cloth, etc…
For this project, utilize the book COOLIES along with other train-themed literature to create a series of model trains. Each train should be crafted using a uniform template, which students can then modify to reflect specific trains found in both fiction and nonfiction sources. This activity provides an excellent opportunity for in-depth research into historical and geographical contexts associated with these trains.
