This is the third of four lessons from the unit Hmong Family Practices and Values.

Complete mini unit for Hmong Family Practices and Values:

• Hmong Family Practices and Values - Intro 
• Hmong Family Practices and Values - Birth  
• Hmong Family Practices and Values - Marriages  
• Hmong Family Practices and Values - Death and Funeral Rituals 

1. Cultural Energizer:
   1. Think-Write-Pair-Share: Ask students to reflect and describe a wedding they have attended or seen in their lifetime. Give them five minutes to write about it. In pairs, have students share their responses.  
   2. Discussion: Call on a few pairs to share what they have in common, as well as any significant differences. Prompt students to consider what some of these descriptions help illuminate regarding what different communities and cultures value. 

2. Image Analysis: Project an image of the black umbrella with the black and white ribbon around it (see source: Levy, J. 2021, August 18. The black umbrella - A Hmong wedding tradition. American Weddings Blog). Ask students to make generalizations about the possible use or significance of the umbrella for a wedding ceremony. (https://theamm.org/articles/864-the-black-umbrella-a-hmong-wedding-tradition#:~:text=In%20its%20simplest%20form%2C%20the%20black%20wedding%20umbrella,the%20bride%20travels%20to%20and%20from%20the%20ceremony)
   1. Have students write ideas on post-it notes. When students are ready, have them place their post-its on the community board. (This can also be done using interactive slides if students have access to personal learning devices.) Briefly discuss some of the student ideas.

3. Text Exploration: Instruct students to get into pairs or groups of four (depending on preference). Explain that students will collaboratively engage in reading and viewing the sources to build understanding around Hmong marriage practices and what they tell us about cultural heritage, family values, and gender roles.
   1. Partner A (or Pair A) will read the text source: Levy, J. 2021 The Black Umbrella - A Hmong Wedding Tradition (use source link above).
   2. Partner B (or Pair B) will view “Bee Cher Teng Yang - Hmong Wedding Traditions”  https://vimeo.com/974457576 (see minutes 2:05 to 7:24). 
   3. Once each partner has completed their text exploration, have them share a basic summary to their partner.
   4. Next, students will explore these texts in conversation with each other to help address the following questions: 
      1. What is the significance of the marriage ceremony from the perspective of Hmong family structure? 
      2. What does the umbrella symbolize? Why is it important? 
      3. What does the black and white ribbon symbolize? Why is this significant?
      4. What is the relationship between the families of the engaged? 
      5. What does the relationship tell us about Hmong family values and structures? 
      6. What are some examples that help illuminate how Hmong marriage practices and their relationship to patriarchal notions of gender roles?
   5. The questions can be answered on a collaborative digital document. It may be beneficial to have each student type in a different colored text to see a balance of contribution and participation.

4. Assessment Options:
   1. Option 1: After students have completed the collaborative work, instruct them to write or type a two to three paragraph reflection that explains and describes one or more elements of the Hmong marriage ceremony. Make sure students have the following contained in their written product. 
      1. Items to include in paragraph reflection: A Thesis Statement, Topic Sentences, Detail Sentences, Citations  
   2. Option 2: Visual Representation (drawing, comic strip, digital board) to explain and describe one or more elements of the Hmong marriage ceremony. Visual products should contain text captions to share understanding. 
   3. If time permits, the teacher can follow up this lesson with the next one in the mini series - Hmong Family Practices and Values - Death and Funeral Rituals. 

5.  (Optional) Culminating Assessment
   • If teachers plan to teach the connecting lessons (Hmong Family Practices and Values - Intro, Hmong Family Practices and Values - Birth, Hmong Family Practices and Values - Marriages, Hmong Family Practices and Values - Death and Funeral Rituals), the (optional) Culminating Assessment is as follows: 
   • My Family Practices Presentation: Students will choose one of the following life events (birth, marriage, death, and funeral rituals), and create a poster that shows the practices, traditions, and/or celebrations associated with it. 
     1. Students will talk with parents, guardians, or community members to learn about family practices around that particular life event. 
     2. Students will then use the creative method of their choice (digital art, photography, painting, drawing, charcoal, mixed media, etc.) to create an image or visual representation.
     3. Teachers will provide opportunities for students to share their product with the class: whole class/small group presentation, Give One/Get One, Lines of Communication, etc.
        1. Teachers use the Give One/Get One strategy as a way to have students share their work or ideas with their peers. Students practice being active listeners as they take turns sharing ideas and recording the thoughts of others. 
        2. Teachers can use A Lines of Communication method to get students sharing and receiving information from a number of students in an organized fashion. The class is divided into two rows of students facing each other. After sharing has taken place, one row moves over one position to repeat the process.