Part two: Questions for students as they read the text

About the design of In my heart, I am a dancer: This book is arranged so that each page "spread" (the two pages you see when you hold the book) is like a section: an individual reading which for the most part articulates a single aspect of one of the complex areas of Chamroeun's life. The book is designed to help readers see more than a two-dimensional portrayal of "Chamroeun, the Cambodian dancer" and to imagine him as a whole person. (The one exception to this design is the reading on page twenty-five which is a very brief description of one of the stories told by Cambodian classical dance.)

Each section or spread can be read as an individual text on an aspect of Chamroeun's life. Or, all the sections can be looked at together as part of a whole. We also suggest that adults spend time with students discussing the many images in the book. The questions we provide address both the written text and the pictures.

Cover

1. What can you tell me about the cover? Can you see anything that looks like it might be words in a language other than English?

2. Who is in the picture? Without reading the book, what can you tell about the person in the picture on the cover? (Note to the teacher: Many students immediately focus on Chamroeun's picture and say "It's a girl!" Or, "He looks like a girl!" These next questions are designed to help guide young children in a discussion when questions like these arise. This issue may come up when children look at the pictures on pages 6 and 7 as well.)

   1. Is this person a girl or a boy? How do you know?

   2. Explain that Chamroeun is a man. Ask children if they think there is a "right" or "wrong" way to look if you are a man or a woman. Why do they think so?

   3. Explain that Chamroeun wears make-up when he dances. It is normal, and in fact expected, for male performers in many cultures, including in the United States to wear make-up for their performances. Also, explain that Chamroeun is wearing a male dancer's dance costume. Tell children that even among Cambodians, many men are afraid to dance this kind of dance because they are afraid people will laugh at them or make fun of them, even if they like to dance. This also happens in other cultures. In the United States, many boys may be afraid to study ballet, for instance, because they might be laughed at. Ask children to think about whether or not this reaction is right or wrong. How brave does Chamroeun have to be to dance anyway, even if people make fun of him?

Page 4

1. Where is Cambodia? What countries are around Cambodia? What continent is Cambodia located in.

Pages 6-7

Vocabulary: Cambodia, Kampuchea, embarrassed, court dancer, capital city, refugee, escaped, remind

Questions:

1. Why was Chamroeun embarrassed to dance? Why did he dance secretly?

2. What do you think a "court dancer" is? The kind of dance that Chamroeun dances now used to be only for very rich people to see - the king and his friends. Are there kinds of dances that you know of that usually only rich people see? Why do you think that is?

3. Why do you think learning Cambodian dance in the refugee camps helped make people happy again? If you had to suddenly leave your home and live in a refugee camp, what kinds of arts would you want to see to remind you of your country? Write a list of the music, books, movies, T.V. shows, or dances you might miss.

Pages 8-9

Vocabulary: tailor, dangerous, journey, survived, tape measure, tracing paper, exploding, resettle, treadle, pedal

Questions:

1. Chamroeun learned to sew from his aunt and his second cousin. He worked for them, but he didn't get paid. Why did he work for them? Is there something you would like to learn to do that you would work at even if you didn't get paid?

2. What things did Chamroeun take with him when he escaped his country? Why do you think he took those things? What would you take with you if you had to escape quickly? What things might you have to leave behind? How would you feel?

3. How do you think Chamroeun felt when he was trying to escape? How would you feel if you had to do what he did?

Page 12

Vocabulary: destroyed, earn, peace

Question:

1. Chamroeun hasn't seen his mother and sister for almost twenty years. Why not?

Pages 14-15

Vocabulary: climate, melon, slugs, mid-day, herbs

Question:

1. The climate in Cambodia is tropical. There are two seasons there - a rainy season and a dry season. It is hot and humid. The climate in Philadelphia is temperate; there are four seasons. Can you think of foods in your own grocery store that might grow in Cambodia, but won't grow in Philadelphia? (oranges, bananas, coconuts, etc.)

Page 16

Vocabulary: comfortable, rude, guests

Questions:

1. What things was Chamroeun taught to do when guests come to his house? What do you think is proper behavior when guests visit your house?

2. What does Chamroeun think is like art? Why does he think that? Are there things you do in your life that are like art?

Page 18

Vocabulary: difference, explains, shares, malls, fabric, inner tubes, remind

Questions:

1. Chamroeun says that a real friend is someone who always treats you the same, no matter what you have or what happens to you. Do you agree? Why or why not?

2. What things does Chamroeun like to do with his friends? What do you like to do with your friends?

Page 21

Vocabulary: special, costumes, traditional, hire, patterns, particular, according to, demon

Questions:

1. Chamroeun says he makes special clothes for dances or weddings. Can you think of any special clothes that you would need for different dances or for a wedding? Can you draw pictures of those clothes? How do you know what the clothes are supposed to look like? Where did you learn about the different kinds of clothes you should wear for different things?

2. Chamroeun says that because people know the stories already, they expect certain characters to look certain ways. Are there characters that you expect to look a certain way because you know the story? (Is Snow White beautiful or ugly? What do witches look like? What do magicians look like? What about giants? How do you know all these things?)

Page 22

Vocabulary: terrible, characters, appear, headpieces, papier maché, mat board, plaster, gold leaf, rhinestones, patient, favorite

Page 25

Vocabulary: dew, scarf, covered, squeezes, collect, finally

Page 26

Vocabulary: tradition, create, medallions, simple, develop, patience, respect, movements

Questions:

1. Why does Chamroeun want to teach?

2. Are there things that you have learned to do that come from a long time ago that were taught to you through your family? (Note to teachers: this could include something as simple as making a bed or setting a table. It could also include a recipe, a way of celebrating certain traditions, or songs and rhymes like jump rope chants sung in the school yard.)

Page 28

Vocabulary: figure out, honor, correctly, serious

Questions:

1. Why is it hard for Chamroeun to study Cambodian dance in the United States?

2. Why do you think Chamroeun is teased when he dances? Are there things that just girls or just boys should do? Says who? Who makes the rules? What if you made the rules - would they be the same?

3. How would you respond if you heard someone teasing Chamroeun? What could you say?

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