Teacher's Guide for FACES ® LaosOctober 2000
Teacher Guide prepared by Cyndy Hall of Camarillo, CA.
Ask students what they already know about Laos. Make a list on butcher paper or chalkboard.
Locate Laos on a world map.
Find the major geographic points (mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.), cities, and bordering countries. Does the location of the country pose any problems for trade or travel?
For a period of 1 - 2 weeks, ask students to cut out newspaper and magazine articles about Laos. Make a bulletin board display.
Read the Editor""'s Note (page 3); study the map on page 4, then read the summary of facts about Laos in "Laos at a Glance" on page 5.
Vocabulary (some are defined in this issue):
Landlocked, tributary, sinuous, protectorate, mahout, dubious, albinos, indigo, staple, ingot, lychee, durian, glutinous, piep, clan, boon (boun), stupas, monsoons, gibbon, langur, saola, muntjac, Mien, Kip, warp, weft, sampot, pha sin, pha beang, chignon, astrologer, phi, wat Questions: - Why is the Mekong River so important to the people of Laos?
- The Laotian people earned their independence from France in 1954. Why did they fight among themselves?
- Laos was a French Protectorate (colony) for many years. What are the responsibilities of a colony? What are the responsibilities of the nation protecting the colony?
- Was French control helpful or harmful to Laos?
- Prince Fa Ngum called Laos Lan Xang, "The Land of a Million Elephants." What happened to all the elephants? What is the Laotian government doing to save its rare and endangered animals?
- Ask students to imagine they live in a Laotian village. Write an imaginary diary entry describing their day.
- Read author Gloria W. Lannom""'s article, "The Mysterious Plain of Jars" (p. 30). Ask students to brainstorm other uses of the jars, then write their own "Legend of Le Plain des Jarres." Share these legends on a special bulletin board display.
- Create a chart comparing Laotian table manners to America""'s eating habits.
- Design an imaginary menu for a Laotian restaurant, detailing breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack items. Compare these menus to samples borrowed from American restaurants.
- Have students (working individually or in small groups) make a list of:
- the major natural resources of Laos
- the different terrains of Laos
- major exports
- main religions
- major occupations
- forms of Laotian government.
Ask students to identify all sources of information. Compare these lists to other countries in Southeast Asia. - Assign a small group of students to research and present a report on Buddhism.
- Copy the Crossword Puzzle on page 39 and give to students to complete.
- Use the two critical thinking questions on page 47.
Art Projects:
Ask students to design a travel poster advertising vacation trips in Laos. Where would the most popular tourist attractions be in Laos? What food would tourists most enjoy? What souvenirs would they be most likely to buy?
Break the class into small groups. Ask each group to research the plight of endangered animals in Laos and Southeast Asia, then design an advertising campaign to inform the public. The student campaigns might include posters, magazine and newspaper ads, video commercials, and taped ""'appearances""' on television and radio interview programs.
Additional Research Sites on Laos: Find out more about Laos and listen to her National Anthem here!
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