RI.4.7

TEK Cultural Burns Save California Salmon © Jackie Fawn

Forest and Fires

HSS 4.1, HSS 4.2, HSS 4.2.1, 4-ESS3-1, RI.4.4, RI.4.7, SL.4.2

This cross curricular lesson introduces students to the differences between wildfires and cultural or controlled fires, grounding their learning in both traditional ecological knowledge and scientific understanding. Designed for 4th grade learners, the lesson uses clear language and high-interest visuals to explain how Indigenous fire practitioners have used fire as a powerful tool to care for their ancestral territory and ecosystems for generations.

The Vietnam War Memorial is located in Westminster, home to the largest Vietnamese community outside Vietnam as well as South Vietnam's government-in-exile.

Monuments in the Vietnamese Diaspora (Elementary)

HSS 3.3, HSS 4.1, RI.4.7, W.4.8

Students will be able to describe the narratives and perspectives constructed from monuments in the Vietnamese community and create a collection of monuments that build up their personal identities.

Far Beyond Phở

HSS 4.4, RI.4.7, W.4.8

Students will be able to trace and identify the origins of Vietnamese cuisine and community hubs in the United States through an exploration of diverse sources and reflect on these elements by creating their own personalized lunch box identity collage.

Green papaya salad “quab” is a staple dish in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Photo credit: Ger Thao, 2022.

Sharing Food Stories

HSS 4.4, HSS 4.4.4, RI.4.7, HSS 10.9, RI.9-10.7, W.9-10.9

Students will be able to trace and identify the origins of Hmong cuisine and community hubs in the United States through an exploration of diverse sources. They will connect these elements to the refugee experience and express their understanding by creating a personalized lunch box identity collage.

On April 18, 2014, Attorney Paul Lo was sworn in as a Superior Court Judge in Merced County. He was the very first Hmong American to serve as a judge in the whole country.

HMong American Public Figures in America

HSS 3.4.6, HSS 4.4.9, HSS 10.9, RI.4.7, W.4.7, SL.4.4, RI.9-10.7, W.9-10.7, SL.9-10.4

There are many success stories of Hmong individuals creating and making an impact in their communities. Students will research a Hmong individual and share what impacts that individual has on the Hmong community and the broader US community by producing a written or visual product of their selected individual.

Image of Hmong refugee camps from The Hmong journey: Hmoob txoj kev taug by Ger Thao.

Portrait of a Refugee Camp

HSS 4.4.3, RI.4.7, 5.VA:CR2.1

Students will understand what a (Hmong) refugee is and why refugee camps were formed. Students will learn about the locations and historical formation of the refugee camps in Thailand. Students will be able to create a portrait of a refugee camp using an art medium of their choice.

Spotlight Series on Cambodians and Cambodian Americans (Elementary)

RI.4.7, W.4.7, HSS 4.4.9

Students will be introduced to and then analyze the work of Cambodians and Cambodian Americans throughout history. In doing so, students will analyze the impact of the Cambodian/Cambodian American individuals’ works. Students can further their research about Cambodian culture by making connections with the works of Cambodians and Cambodian Americans to Cambodian history and culture.

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