Implementation Introduction
It is important for school districts to be proactive throughout the implementation process in order to maximize the effectiveness of the Cambodian American Studies model curriculum. This narrative will provide district and site administrators with guidance on how to implement the curriculum in ways that are best suited to their students, teachers, and communities.
Implementing the CASMC into the History-Social Science Classroom
While the FAIR Education Act of 2011 was passed in order to ensure "a study of the role and contributions of ... Asian Americans” (Ed. Code Section 51204.5) in the development of California and United States (US) history, Cambodian Americans are often left out of history curricula. The Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum (CASMC) is a set of lessons and supplemental resources spanning a variety of grade levels and subject areas that focus on Cambodian American histories, heritage, and cultures. This curriculum allows educators to be introduced to in depth pedagogical approaches to embed Cambodian cultures and histories into history-social science courses which have been traditionally left out of the curriculum.
Implementing the CASMC in the ELA Classroom
The Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum is a set of lessons and supplemental resources spanning a variety of grade levels and subject areas that focuses primarily on the experiences of Cambodian communities and individuals across the diaspora. This curriculum allows educators to be introduced to in-depth pedagogical approaches to embed Cambodian cultures and histories into English language arts courses. This model curriculum is designed to facilitate the development of well-rounded students equipped with the essential skills of literate individuals, crucial for achieving future success and becoming active participants in today's society. The CASMC provides teachers with an opportunity to harness the diversity of their students and communities to enhance classroom experiences, thereby expanding their own, as well as their students', knowledge and perspectives through English language arts courses
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Implementing the CASMC in World Language Classes
Cambodian Americans are a fairly recent language minority group in the United States; most families arrived in the United States as refugees during the 1980s. Over the past 40 years, there has been great concern in the community regarding the maintenance of their native Khmer language (Wright, 2010). Khmer (pronounced ‘kuh-my’) is the primary language spoken in Cambodia. Long Beach and Stockton have some of the largest concentrations of Cambodians outside of Cambodia. Residents of Cambodian descent account for about four percent of Long Beach’s 486,000 total population making the city one of the few places where Khmer can be considered a major language. 92 percent of English Learners in the Long Beach Unified School District speak Spanish as their primary language with four percent or 455 students speaking Khmer. Although Long Beach Unified School District boasts a large population of Cambodian students, as of the 2022-23 school year, the district only offered two Khmer language programs; an afterschool enrichment program at Whittier Elementary School and a Khmer for Khmer Speakers class offered at Woodrow Wilson High School that meets the World Language A-G requirement.
Professional Learning
Scholar Talks for Professional Learning
Dr. Susan Needham - 19th and 20th Century Cambodian Culture and History (69 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Introduction to Cambodian History
Cambodian history and civilization
- The Khmer Empire and Angkor
- Colonialism and Cambodia’s path to independence
- The Khmer Rouge regime and its aftermath
Dr. Cheryl Yin, “Khmer Language & Khmer Honorific Registers” (63 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Introduction to Cambodian History
- Linguistic diversity and multilingualism in Cambodia
- Khmer honorific registers and social hierarchy
- Language change after the Khmer Rouge regime
- Contemporary language shifts and compressed social hierarchies
Dr. Vichet Chhuon, “Cambodian American Identities, Families, and Futures” (62 minutes, link)
Area of Study 4: Community Building and Healing
Personal and cultural identity through naming
- Cambodian American educational experiences
- Intersection of race, policy, and systemic barriers
- Intergenerational trauma and resilience
Dr. Sophea Seng, “Cambodian Americans Making Music Across Generations” (27 minutes, link)
Area of Study 4: Community Building and Healing
- Cultural production and community identity
- Intergenerational transmission and adaptation of culture
- Community archives and historical memory
- Resilience beyond trauma
Dr. Sophal Ear, “Cambodian Politics and Justice” (67 minutes, link)
Area of Study 2: Genocide in Cambodia
- Cambodia’s modern political history and the legacy of the Khmer Rouge
- Challenges to justice, including land rights, and the Khmer Rouge Tribunal
- Foreign aid, governance, and corruption in Cambodia
- China’s growing influence and Cambodia’s geopolitical alignment
Dr. Cheryl Yin, “Ethnicity and Language” (40 minutes, link)
Area of Study 3: Cambodian Diaspora
Linguistic diversity and critique of language maps
- Khmer language and regional relationships in Cambodia
- Ethnic minorities and migration in Cambodia
- Chinese Cambodian identity and diaspora
Dr. Cindy Nguyễn, “Interactions with the West: Geographies” (24 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Introduction to Cambodian History
Pre-colonial Southeast Asian politics and competing spheres of influence
- Complexity of Southeast Asian geography and history
- Critical use of maps and alternative historical narratives
- Resources for teaching contested histories
Dr. Cindy Nguyễn, “Interactions with the West: Colonialism” (32 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Introduction to Cambodian History
The complexities of colonialism
- Forms and mechanisms of colonial rule
- Case study: French Indochina
- Colonial legacies in present-day institutions
Sayon Syprasoeuth and the Cambodia Town Mural (11 minutes, link)
Area of Study 4: Community Building and Healing
Community collaboration in mural creation
- Inspiring pride through public art
- Cultural representation in Cambodia Town
- Encouraging personal passion and creativity
Cambodia Town Tour, Long Beach, CA (68 minutes, link)
Description and topics: This video documents a tour of Cambodia Town (Long Beach, California) The group starts at the Mark Twain Library, then visits a bridal shop, followed by a stop at Wat Kampuchea Krom temple. The tour continues with lunch at Udom Khmer Restaurant and ends with a Romvong dance lesson.
- Mark Twain Library and its role in the community
- Traditional Cambodian bridal shop
- Wat Kampuchea Krom temple
- Khmer food and Romvong dance at Udom Restaurant
Cambodia Town Tour, Long Beach, CA (abbreviated version, 13 minutes, link)
Description and topics: This video documents a tour of Cambodia Town (Long Beach, California) The group starts at the Mark Twain Library, then visits a bridal shop, followed by a stop at Wat Kampuchea Krom temple. The tour continues with lunch at Udom Khmer Restaurant and ends with a Romvong dance lesson.
- Mark Twain Library and its role in the community
- Traditional Cambodian bridal shop
- Wat Kampuchea Krom temple
- Khmer food and Romvong dance at Udom Restaurant
Directions for Downloading
Educators can view recorded scholar talks from the model curriculum development on the Cambodian American Studies Model Curriculum. These videos will support educators in developing content background and building capacity in teaching about Cambodian histories and cultures.
In order to download any of the videos below, follow these steps:
Click on the word “link” in the parentheses, which will link you to the corresponding video.
On the Vimeo page for this video, click on the download button beneath the title of the video.
Next, you will see a “Video” tab on the left and five video qualities listed - 1080p, 720p, 540p, 360p, and 240p. Click on the download icon next to the video quality that you wish to download (1080 is the highest quality).
In order to download caption transcripts from any of the videos below, follow these steps:
Click on the word “link” in the parentheses, which will link you to the corresponding video.
On the Vimeo page for this video, click on the download button [
] beneath the title of the video. If you click on the Transcript button to the right, you will see the captions in a new window on the screen.
Next, you will see a “Video” tab on the left, and a “Transcript” tab on the right. Click on the transcript tab.
Underneath the transcript tab you will see two languages, English and Khmer. Click on the download icon next to the language of the captions that you wish to download.