ALASKA ACADEMY: 5TH GRADERS EXPLORE HANOI CELEBRITY – HISTORIAN NGO SI LIEN

History and historical figures are often perceived as dry and inaccessible. However, through creative and engaging approaches, the 5th-grade teachers at Alaska Academy led their students, the Alaskids, on an enriching exploration of the story of Hanoi Celebrity-Historian Ngo Si Lien.

Participating in the “Flip the Puzzle” game, students worked enthusiastically together to uncover 6 keywords related to the mysterious image: “IMAGE OF DAI VIET SU KI TOAN THU” (The Complete History of Dai Viet) compiled by Historian Ngo Si Lien.

Instead of the traditional lecture format, the teachers assigned students to proactively research information about Historian Ngo Si Lien through worksheets and share their findings on the class’s Padlet page, which were reviewed by the teachers for accuracy.

Armed with the gathered information, the Alaskids became confident and eager contestants in the “YOUNG HISTORIAN” game, answering 15 questions about Ngo Si Lien’s life, career, and the “Dai Viet Su Ki Toan Thu.”

Furthermore, the students presented their knowledge about the significance of the “Dai Viet Su Ki Toan Thu” and the remarkable achievements of Historian Ngo Si Lien in a visually appealing and scientific manner, using Canva, self-drawn pictures, poems, and plays. This approach infused the Local Education lesson with laughter and a wealth of historical insights.

As British writer, poet, and journalist Rudyard Kipling once said, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” The 5th-grade teachers of Alaska have successfully inspired their students to cherish and pay closer attention to the nation’s historical treasures through engaging storytelling.