Implementation Introduction
It is important for school districts to be proactive throughout the implementation process in order to maximize the effectiveness of the Hmong History and Cultural 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 Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum in the History-Social Science Classroom H-SS
People of Hmong ancestry have been marginalized throughout history, both in Asia and in the United States. Moreover, they have been largely omitted from history textbooks. While Hmong communities might be mentioned as part of books used to teach the first grade diversity unit and the 11th grade US History Cold War unit in the History-Social Science Framework, few California students are exposed to texts about people with Hmong heritage.
Implementing the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum in the English Language Arts Classroom ELA
By accessing the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum (HHCSMC), teachers will have access to robust resources and historical context, centering Hmong perspectives. Student learning thrives when educators are able to utilize a culturally sustaining pedagogy approach within their English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. Incorporating Hmong stories in the classroom will allow students to not only learn about and affirm their own and other students’ identities, but also promotes academic success.
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Implementing the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum in the World Languages Classroom WL
The goal of the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum (HHCSMC) is to provide educators with a variety of lessons that incorporate histories of war, refugee migration, diaspora, and cultures to better support the Hmong language classroom. Although the lessons were written in English instruction, the curriculum can be used to supplement learnings in a Hmong language course.
Professional Learning
Scholar Talks for Professional Learning
Dr. Mai Der Vang, “When the Poison Fell: A Documentary Poetry Project and Investigation of Yellow Rain” (82 minutes, link)
Area of Study 2: Hmong Histories
- Investigation of Yellow Rain
- 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Agreement
- Meselson’s Bee Feces Theory
- Discrediting of Hmong Testimonies
- Proxy or Surrogate Warfare
Dr. Ma Vang and Dr. Chia Vang, “Hmong Refugee Experiences” (81 minutes, link)
Area of Study 3: Hmong Refugee Experiences
- Hmong in Diaspora
- U.N. Definition of Refugee
- U.S. Refugee Policy
- Refugee Camps and Resettlement
- Refugee Storytelling as Knowledge and Resistance
Bee Cher Teng Yang, “Hmong Shaman Traditions” (27 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Hmong Ways of Knowing
- Duality of Body and Soul (Spiritual and Physical)
- Hmong Beliefs about Death and Reincarnation
- Ritual Guidance for the Soul (Taws kev, Qeej tu siav, Hauv qhua, )
- Structure and Duration of Hmong Funerals
- Importance of Ritual Specialists (Txiv xai) Social and Spiritual Roles of Family Members
- Modern Shamanic and Ritual Practices
Bee Cher Teng Yang, “Hmong Funeral Customs” (29 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Hmong Ways of Knowing
- Hmong New Year (Noj Peb Caug)
- Renewal, Cleansing, and Soul Calling
- Traditional Games and Social Functions
- Ritual Celebration (Noj Tshiab)
- Spiritual Practices and Beliefs
- Role of Qeej
Bee Cher Teng Yang, “Hmong Birth Traditions” (11 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Hmong Ways of Knowing
- Family Connections (Txuas kev neej kev tsa)
- Marriage Advice (Ntuas ntxhais ntuas vauv)
- Family and Clan Roles
- Negotiation and Dowry
- Groom and Bridal Parties
- Rituals and Symbolism
Bee Cher Teng Yang, “Hmong New Year Traditions” (19 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Hmong Ways of Knowing
- Goddess (Niam Txiv Kab Yeeb)
- Spiritual World vs. Physical World
- Reincarnation Shirt (Lub tsho mus thawj thiab)
- Protective Names (e.g., Pov, Neeb, Kuam, Nruas Neeb, Pob Zeb)
- Gender Roles and Family Expectations
- Cultural Adaptation in America
Intergenerational Responsibilities
Bee Cher Teng Yang, “Hmong Wedding Traditions” (17 minutes, link)
Area of Study 1: Hmong Ways of Knowing
- The Shaman and the Spiritual System
- Reincarnation
- Shamanism and Community Practice
- Regional Spirits
- Spiritual Communication and Illness
- Tools and Symbols
- Animals and Spiritual Exchange
- Ancestor Worship
- Types of Shamans: Neeb tswb zeej, Neeb saub, and Neeb poj qhe
Dr. Choua Xiong, “Community Building” (51 minutes, link)
Area of Study 4: Community Building, Home-making, and Empowerment
- Defining Community
- Southeast Asian Contexts of Community
- Membership and Citizenship
- Community Control Model
- Minoritization
- Diaspora and Transnationalism
- “Homeland”
- Kin-network Relationships
Dr. Ma Vang, “Refugee Studies” (73 minutes, link)
Area of Study 3: Hmong Refugee Experiences
- Hmong Refugee Histories and Experiences
- Refugee Storytelling
- Experiences of Belonging
- Transmigration Spirit (Ntsuj Plig) and Soul Calling
Refugee, Exile, and Non-belonging
- Cosmological Beliefs
- Forced Migration
- Poetry as a form of Mapping Loss
Dr. Cindy Nguyễn, “Interactions with the West: Geographies” (24 minutes, link)
Area of Study 2: Hmong Histories
- 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 2: Hmong Histories
The Complexities of Colonialism
- Forms and Mechanisms of Colonial Rule
- Case Study: French Indochina
- Colonial Legacies in Present-Day Institutions
Directions for Downloading
Educators can view recorded scholar talks from the model curriculum development on the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum. These videos will support educators in developing content background and building capacity in teaching about Hmong 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 Hmong. Click on the download icon next to the language of the captions that you wish to download.