Discussion Questions and Classroom Activities

The following sample discussion questions and classroom activities may be used or adapted to fit a lesson plan.

Sample Discussion Questions

1. Examine the photographs “Woodwork by Poolsin Pat” and “Needlework: Sarou Sieng and her Srom Kinae.” Do you see any similarities in the motifs? What are the differences between the two overall?
2. Read the section on the Moni Mekhala and Ream Eyso dance (page 6) in "Document describing various Khmer dances and performances” and examine the photograph “A photograph of Angkor Dance Troupe members performing Moni Mekhala and Ream Eyso.” Which part of the performance is depicted in the photograph? Do you see Ream Eyso’s axe or Moni Mekhala’s crystal? What do you think happened to them?
3. Read the sections Swva Pol and Swva Pol w/ American Break Dance (page 9) in "Document describing various Khmer dances and performances,” then examine the item “Angkor Dance Troupe postcard” with a depiction of Swva Pol. Do you think break dancing is a good fit for monkeys? Why or why not? 
4. Examine the drawings “Students At The J.G. Pyne School” and “My mother dances for New Year, ” then read the sections on Folk Dance and Classical Dance (pages 1 and 2) in "Document describing various Khmer dances and performances.” Where and when does Cambodian dancing happen and/or could happen?

Sample Classroom Activities

1. Ask students to imagine they are a student living in the Greater Lowell area, Massachusetts, an area where there is the second largest Cambodian population in the United States. Why might they be interested in learning Cambodian folk or classical dance?
2. Consider the different forms of Cambodian art shared in this resource set. Have students research what other forms of art are represented in the SEADA Omeka site. Ask students to research what other Cambodian arts exist that are not represented in the SEADA Omeka materials.