LESSON 3: CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS
SECTION 1
This lesson was written for classes in grades K–5.
Pre-Reading Discussion
Ask students the following questions to help them think about the significance of celebrations and activities in remembering
one’s family heritage. Then read Chapter 3 of the NIE Asian New Year article series, printed on Feb. 13, 2015 on the Cambodian
New Year.
1. Do you have any toys, clothing, or articles at home that may have come from another country?
2. Have you heard any family stories that remember a place that your ancestors or family members have come from?
3. Do you know of any activities that your family does that originated in another country, state or city?
4. People whose ancestors or families have come to the United States from Cambodia are called Cambodian Americans
or Khmer Americans. Can you find Cambodia on a map of the world?
Read Chapter 3 on Chaul Chnam Thmey, Cambodian New Year from Feb. 13, 2015.
Post-Reading Discussion
1. When is Chaul Chnam Thmey celebrated in the United States?
2. Why is the “Tevoda” important to families?
3. How might homes be decorated for the New Year?
4. How do Khmer Americans help the monks at the temple during the New Year celebration?
5. What are some activities that Khmer Americans do for New Year’s after visiting the temple?
6. People from Cambodia first starting coming to the United States in large numbers in the early 1980s. How do you think the
younger generation who are born in the United States learn how to play the traditional Cambodian games?
Here is a book list to learn more about Khmer (Cambodian) Americans. (Compiled by Benling Wong, Seattle Public Library)
Khmer/Cambodian American children’s books
“Home is East” by Many Ly
“A Path of Stars” by Anne Sibley O’Brien
“A Song for Cambodia” by Michelle Lord
“The Stone Goddess” by Minfong Ho
Khmer/Cambodian American teen books
“Dragon Chica” by May-Lee Chai
“Roots and Wings” by Many Ly
“Tiger Girl” by May-Lee Chai
“Trouble” by Gary D. Schmidt
SECTION 2
Use Chapter 3 from the 2012 NIE Asian New Year article series to learn about Khmer (Cambodian) New Year celebrations
through the eyes of Phala Chea, who observes Chaul Chnam Thmey. Activities in this section were written for students in grades
4–9.
Read Chapter 3 on Chaul Chnam (Khmer/Cambodian New Year)
Students have read how three individuals from different Asian American cultures celebrate their New Year through family
traditions, food and celebrations.
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