PBS Learning Media: Sentenced Home

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Activity Description

In this activity, students learn about the history of the Khmer people and the conflicts that brought them to America as refugees through the eyes of two Cambodian refugees and utilize critical viewing skills to form opinions about the stories presented and U.S. policy related to refugees. Students watch video clips from the film entitled "Sentenced Home," read "Genocide in the 20th Century: Pol Pot in Cambodia 1975-1979 2,000,000 Deaths," work in groups to research refugee policies and enforcement in another country, and address questions in the form of a written response.

On the 2014 High School Equivalency (GED, HISET), 50% focuses on Civics and Government and includes items that assess textual analysis and understanding, and also features one extended response task that requires test-takers to analyze arguments and use evidence found within primary and secondary source texts. This activity not only meets the needs of High School Equivalency (HSE) students but also addresses the College and Career Readiness Standards.

Preparation

1. Check to be sure the site is not blocked at your school.
2. Download the Educator Guide (pdf) and review Activity 1.
3. Print a copy of Teacher Handout A: Supplemental Materials (pages 26-30 of the Educator Guide), and Teacher Handout B: Citizenship and Immigration Terminology (pages 31-32 of the Educator Guide).
4. Print student copies of The History Place: Genocide in the 20th Century: Pol Pot in Cambodia 1975-1979 .
5. Preview "Sentenced Home" film modules 1, 2, and 4 found under Support Materials and For Teachers at the bottom of the Educator Guide Web page.
6. Make a copy of “Teacher Handout A: Supplemental Materials: Activity 1 References”.
7. Decide if your students will conduct research on refugee policies and enforcement in another country and how they will present what they learned. Each group will need a copy of the list of Web sites found in “Teacher Handout A: Supplemental Materials: Activity 1 References”. Make copies of the References as necessary.
8. Decide if you will conclude with a final discussion or written response.

How-To

1. Utilize Teacher Handouts A and B to discuss the questions: What is a refugee and why do people become refugees?
2. Discuss the difficulties in moving from place to place.
3. Conclude the discussion by working as a class to make a list of the push-pull factors that can influence a move.
4. Distribute copies of "The History Place: Genocide in the 20th Century: Pol Pot in Cambodia 1975-1979."
5. After students have read the article, discuss the hardships and threats the people of Cambodia faced and the U.S. role and relationship with Cambodia during this period.
6. View the "Sentenced Home" film modules 1, 2, and 4.
7. Discuss the film modules using the quotes provided on "Teacher Handout A: Supplemental Materials" and the provided questions.
8. Introduce the project and clearly state what is expected.
9. Divide students into small groups to research refugee policies and enforcement in another country. Students will need a copy of the Reference Web sites.
10. Have students present their projects to the class.
11. Have students respond in writing addressing the question: In what ways do Many and Kim and others like them, become like refugees again when they are deported back to their "homeland?"

More Ways

• Scientific Tools and Methods is a video interactive, which gives three examples of applying the scientific method in different situations to learn more about a particular species or habitat.

Program Areas

• ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation

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