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Lesson Plan :

Lesson Plan Evaluating the Secret War in Laos through Hmong Stories and Culture

  • Grade Level 9th-12th Grade
  • Time Period 1970 - 2009
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Introduction

This lesson plan occurs over the course of multiple class periods in order to scaffold a cultural understanding of the Hmong people and their experiences in the Secret War. Using this extended time can address multiple standards associated with historical thinking and analysis as well as ELA in Social Studies standards. Additionally, the refugee story contained in this lesson is a translation of an oral story told in the Hmong language - for this reason, the quantitative readability is on the lower end of the scale.
As a note, it is imperative to be cognizant of any refugees or Hmong students in the classroom prior to this lesson. It is essential for students to learn the history and context of the Secret War, but the refugee story included later in this portfolio contains tragic events that may require students to have a content warning or to inform specific students of the content and provide alternatives (find one on this site using the “Refugee Filter”). Education is not designed to force students to relive personal or familial trauma. This is especially pertinent with with recency of these events and the possibility that Hmong students have family member whom are alive and experienced these events first hand.

Essential Questions

  • Who are the Hmong people?

  • What is the Secret War in Laos?

  • How are stories preserved in different cultures?

  • What was the role of the United States in the Secret War?