Day 1 – Introduction to Myanmar

Standards (Grades 9-10)

Standard – CC.8.5.9-10.A
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.
Standard – CC.8.5.9-10.B
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.
Standard – CC.8.5.9-10.I
Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.
Standard – 7.1.9.B
Explain and locate regions and their shared connections as defined by physical and human features.
Standard – 7.2.9.A
Explain the physical characteristics of places and regions, including spatial patterns of Earth’s physical systems.
Standard – 7.3.9.A
Explain the human characteristics of places and regions using the following criteria:

- Population
- Culture
- Settlement
- Economic activities
- Political activities

Standards (Grades 11-12)

Standard – CC.8.5.11-12.A
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.
Standard – CC.8.5.11-12.B
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the key details and ideas.
Standard – CC.8.5.11-12.I
Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.
Standard – 7.1.12.B
Assess how physical changes to a region may have global impact.
Standard – 7.2.12.A
Analyze the physical characteristics of places and regions, including the interrelationships among the components of Earth’s physical systems.
Standard – 7.3.12.A
Analyze the human characteristics of places and regions using the following criteria:

- Population
- Culture
- Settlement
- Economic activities
- Political activities

The BIG Idea

Rice farming and Buddhism are two of the three pillars of Myanmar. The third pillar will be discussed on Day 2.

The questions following the articles below can either be assigned as written homework or be discussed in class the following day.

Read Myanmar Geography: 101. What is unique about the geography and the climate of Myanmar?
Read Myanmar Agriculture: 101. Pay attention to the role of rice in the global market and in Myanmar’s past and present. How does the perception of Myanmar rice differ from reality for the Burmese people? Which agriculture products should Burmese people focus on instead?

Watch 5 days in Myanmar in Five Minutes and have the students discuss what they think and know about Myanmar.
Read Theravada Buddhism: 101. Who is the founder of Theravada Buddhism and what are its basic tenets?
Small group brainstorming activity (can be done through creating a written list or verbal discussion): What is the importance of agriculture, Buddhism, and/or geography in shaping Myanmar?
Small group activity: You are a lawmaker in a newly democratic Myanmar and the Agriculture and Farming Committee that you are a part of in the Burmese Hluttaw (Parliament) is tasked with improving agriculture-related laws. What are some of the agriculture-related issues your country is facing, which issue will you prioritize, and how will you tackle this chosen issue? (For example, land grabbing.) The suggested group size is 3-5 students per group. Each group will choose one member in their committee to present their chosen problem and solution to the class in two minutes or less.

https://www.facebook.com/nasdaily/videos/779212825564205/

Myanmar Geography 101

https://frontiermyanmar.net/en/features/theravada-buddhism-101

Myanmar agriculture 101