TODAY’S LESSON: HERITAGE ‘HUBS’

Learn new things, test your understanding and practice writing skills. These lessons are provided free by Achieve3000, an educational technology company that works with schools to enhance comprehension, vocabulary and writing proficiency for students in grades 2 through 12.

Step 1: Write your answer to the questions below before reading the article.

In some U.S. cities, neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy give people from different countries a little piece of home — from the food, to the art, to the music.

What do you think?

FROM LITTLE HAVANA TO CHINATOWN

MIAMI

Salsa music spills from storefronts. The scent of café cubano swirls in the streets. A spirited domino game draws a crowd. And the clatter of dominoes, chatter, and laughter joyfully builds. Welcome to Little Havana in Miami.

The United States is home to immigrants from all over the world. But neighborhoods like Little Havana help to preserve their special heritage. From New York City’s Chinatown to San Diego’s Little Italy, consider these neighborhoods “heritage hubs.” They celebrate the importance of culture. And they allow visitors to delight in diversity.

Cuban exiles established Little Havana beginning in the 1950s. And in 2017, Little Havana was named a national treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

And this treasure has it all: Traditional Cuban food. Open-air markets. Art galleries. A thriving music scene. These are just some of the attractions that give Little Havana its buzz.

In much the same way, New York City’s Chinatown hums with an electric energy. The neighborhood attracts crowds of visitors daily. It beckons their bellies with dumplings, pork buns and hand-pulled noodle dishes. Meanwhile, bargain seekers flock to Chinatown’s bustling Canal Street shopping area.

Many cities in the U.S. boast Chinatowns. But New York’s is one of the largest. It’s also one of the oldest. In the 1870s, Chinese immigrants were offered work in the West. But these opportunities later lessened. And many of these immigrants moved east to New York. They came together to form a tight-knit community.

Today, New York City’s Chinatown boasts markets, museums and galleries steeped in Chinese culture and history. At Columbus Park, in the heart of Chinatown, people play mah-jongg, a traditional Chinese game. They also enjoy watching Chinese opera troupes perform. And in the spring, there’s a 15-day Lunar New Year festival. It marks China’s largest and most important celebration.

In San Diego, Little Italy preserves the heritage of Italian and Portuguese immigrants. These immigrants established the historic fishing community in the 1920s. Today, it’s a popular spot for tourists.

The neighborhood covers 50 square blocks. It includes a huge piazza: an Italian-style public space featuring shops and art galleries. Restaurants serve delicious pasta and seafood. And a large Italian heritage festival is held here each fall.

As the saying goes, a tree is only as strong as its roots. And in the United States, those roots continue to spread from all over the world. But it’s these culture-cradling communities that help the country hold on to — and grow from — its varied roots. These special neighborhoods have allowed many people to stay connected to their homelands and have gifted others with new experiences.

Step 3: Write your responses:

Give three reasons why someone would like to visit neighborhoods like Little Italy, Little Havana and Chinatown. Include facts and details from the article in your answer.