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1 The Desperate Plight of the Rohingya Level 1 (grades 5 and up) Article page 3 Questions page 5 Photo page 7 Cartoon page 8 Map page 9 Quiz page 11 FREE ARTICLE 2017/2018: Issue 2 A monthly current events resource for Canadian classrooms Routing Slip: (please circulate)

2 to the Teacher What in the World? free article Level 1, 2017/2018: Issue 2 PUBLISHER Eric Wieczorek EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Janet Radschun Wieczorek EDITORS Rosa Harris Ada McKim ILLUSTRATOR Mike Deas CONTRIBUTORS Vivien Bowers Denise Hadley Rosa Harris Jacinthe Lauzier Ada McKim Heather O Connor What in the World? is published eight times during the school year by: LesPlan Educational Services Ltd. # Wilkinson Road Victoria BC V8Z 5A7 info@lesplan.com Phone: (toll free) Fax: (toll free) Subscribe to What in the World? at a cost of $23.75 per month, per school. Copyright and Licence These materials are protected by copyright. Subscribers may copy each issue for use by all students and teachers within one school. Subscribers must also ensure that the materials are not made available to anyone outside their school. Mission Statement LesPlan Educational Services Ltd. aims to help teachers develop students understanding of and ability to critically assess current issues and events by providing quality up-to-date, affordable, ready-to-use resources. Suggested Approach What in the World? is a complete current events program that can be used on its own or to supplement an existing classroom routine. This classroom-ready resource offers something for everyone and can be taught as a whole or in parts, in-class, or as a homework assignment. What in the World?: allows for differentiated learning What in the World? is available in two levels to meet your students varied learning needs. A Word file containing each month s articles and questions is also posted online, so you can quickly and easily modify the articles and/or questions to suit your students specific needs. is tech-friendly Project each month s pdf on your Promethean or Smart Board to read articles together. Our pdfs also work seamlessly with assistive reading technology like Kurzweil. Try uploading them to Google Classroom! is easy to use Easily access links referenced in What in the World? by visiting Publication Schedule A publication schedule listing the release dates for each issue is posted on the Subscriber page of our website at: Please contact us at any time with your questions or concerns. Complimentary sample Please let us know if you or a colleague would like to receive a complimentary sample of any of our publications. We welcome your comments and suggestions. More Free Get breaking news stories free online Articles and supplementary materials for breaking news stories are posted at Download as many as you d like! Page 2 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

3 international The Desperate Plight of the Rohingya Persecuted in Myanmar and Nowhere to Go The United Nations (UN) calls the Rohingya of Myanmar the world s most persecuted people and recent events seem to support this description. Since late August, the Rohingya have been running for their lives. They are trying to escape government forces who are burning their villages and shooting their people. At least 400 Rohingya have died in the violence. Over 400,000 more have streamed out of Myanmar on foot. Nearly 200 Rohingya villages have been emptied. That s about 30 percent of the total in the Southeast Asian nation. [It s] a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, said the top human rights official at the UN. Definitions Most of the refugees have fled to Bangladesh. Others have taken to dangerous seas. They hope to reach Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. However, these neighbours are reluctant to take in the Rohingya. They fear that they won t be able to cope with the influx. Bangladesh already hosts 750,000 Rohingya refugees. Most of them fled there before the current crisis began. Who are the Rohingya? Most Rohingya are Muslims. Until they started leaving, about 1.1 million Rohingya lived in Rakhine State on Myanmar s northwest coast. That s about one-third of the state s population. The Rohingya have lived in Myanmar since at least the 12th century. That s when their Indian, Chinese, and Arab ancestors migrated to the region. Many also arrived in the 19th century, encouraged by the British. A stateless people The Rohingya believe they have a right to live in peace in Myanmar. The government, however, refuses to recognize them as one of the country s 135 ethnic groups. It says they are illegal migrants of Bengali origin and it restricts how they study, work, travel, marry, practice their religion, and access health services. The Rohingya can t vote, and in 1982, the government took away their citizenship, too. That means they can t get passports. They are the largest stateless group in the world. Bengali: a major ethnic and linguistic group in South Asia ethnic cleansing: the mass expulsion or killing of members of an unwanted ethnic or religious group migrant: someone who moves to a different place or country muslim: someone who follows or practices Islam persecute: to subject (someone) to hostility and illtreatment, especially because of race or beliefs United Nations: an international organization formed in 1945 to increase political and economic cooperation among 193 member-countries Page 3 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

4 international The Desperate Plight of the Rohingya Persecuted in Myanmar and Nowhere to Go A history of persecution Suu Kyi to speak up for the Why are the Rohingya the object Rohingya. About Myanmar of so much discrimination? The Southeast Asian nation Ms. Suu Kyi came to power of Myanmar is also known as Partly because they re different. in November Before Burma. It has nearly 53 million Their culture, language, and that between 1989 and people and is about the size of religion set them apart from the 2010 she spent most of her Alberta. Buddhist majority. Poverty plays time under house arrest. The a role, too. More than 78 percent military that ruled Myanmar of households in Rakhine at that time was trying to stop State are struggling to survive. her from working to bring Everyone is fighting for scarce democracy to the nation. resources. tensions escalate In 2012, after decades of persecution, ethnic riots took place. Hundreds of Rohingya were killed. More than 140,000 others were forced into filthy camps. The event was a turning point for some Rohingya who decided they had had enough. They formed the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) to fight back. On August 25, ARSA attacked police posts, killing 12 officers. That sparked the ongoing fierce response from security forces and vigilantes. Aung San Suu Kyi Many people have been looking to Myanmar leader Aung San Definitions annex: to take control of a country or region by force BuddhisT: of or relating to a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out of the teaching of Siddhārtha Gautama ethnic riot: a violent protest by a crowd of people against a particular ethnic group Eventually, however, the military decided to loosen its grip on power. In 2012, it allowed, for the first time, mostly-free elections. Ms. Suu Kyi was given honorary Canadian citizenship for her efforts. She was also awarded the Nobel Prize for peace because judges said she represented an outstanding example of the power of the powerless. Yet Ms. Suu Kyi has refused to side with the Rohingya. Instead, she says she is the victim of fake news. According to her government, security forces are not targeting civilians. Rather, they are fighting back against a group of terrorists that want to create an Islamic state. Stinging criticism Analysts agree that it would be hard for Ms. Suu Kyi to At one time, Myanmar was an independent kingdom. In 1886, it was annexed by the British Empire. Japan occupied the country during World War II. It was returned to British control until independence in The military ran the country between 1962 and During this time, the generals in control abused human rights and turned the international community against them. denounce the treatment of the Rohingya. Her civilian government does not want to provoke the military. Still, the world is angry about her failure to help these desperate people. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the cruelty. He said Rohingya refugees should be free to return home with dignity. [The status of] the Rohingya, has been left unresolved for far too long, he said. J house arrest: the state of being imprisoned in one s house or quarters vigilante: someone who tries to catch and punish criminals by themselves, without waiting for the police Page 4 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

5 international The Desperate Plight of the Rohingya Persecuted in Myanmar and Nowhere to Go ON THE LINES Answer the following in complete sentences: 1. What is the population of Myanmar? 2. List at least three other important facts about this country. 3. How long have the Rohingya lived in this country? 4. How many Rohingya lived in northwest Myanmar before the current crisis? 5. Explain why this ethnic group has faced discrimination and persecution over the decades. 6. What restrictions has Myanmar s government imposed on the Rohingya? 7. What happened in 2012? What did some Rohingya do as a result? 8. What did members of this militant group do in late August? 9. How did the government respond to these attacks? Describe what happened to many Rohingya. Page 5 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

6 international The Desperate Plight of the Rohingya Persecuted in Myanmar and Nowhere to Go JUST TALK ABOUT IT 1. What if... you were not a citizen of any country? 2. In what ways might poverty fuel hatred and violence? Explain. 3. a) Bangladesh is a poor nation. As you see it, what is Bangladesh s responsibility to the Rohingya refugees? What is the world s responsibility? b) If you were Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, how would you respond to the Rohingya refugee crisis? Explain. 4. a) What is your understanding of the term genocide? Use a dictionary to help you define this term, if necessary. b) What evidence is there in the article that supports the view that the Myanmar government is committing genocide? What evidence refutes this view? Explain. 5. Imagine that you are Aung San Suu Kyi, writing in your journal about the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar. What are your inner thoughts about this crisis? How do they compare with your outer actions? Explain. 6. An old adage says One man s terrorist is another s freedom fighter. What is your understanding of this adage? As you see it, how might this adage relate to the situation in Myanmar? Explain. 7. ARSA has done more harm to the Rohingya than good by turning to violence. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons to support your response. ONLINE Note: The links below are listed at for easy access. 1. Read Myanmar Follows Global Pattern in How Ethnic Cleansing Begins from the New York Times at html?mcubz=1 2. Watch (and fact check) Aung San Suu Kyi s statement at sep/20/fact-check-aung-san-suu-kyi-rohingya-crisis-speech-myanmar 3. Read a Vox explainer of the crisis at 4. Learn more about the ARSA at 5. See a Child Wellbeing snapshot of Rakhine State from UNICEF at J Page 6 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

7 international The Desperate Plight of the Rohingya Persecuted in Myanmar and Nowhere to Go Imagine that you are an investigative reporter interviewing the person in this scene. Generate two powerful questions to ask in your interview. (A powerful question is not easy to answer, is specific to the situation, is open-ended and requires further research.) Then, record plausible answers those that are most likely to be given, believable, and supported by evidence in the image. A Rohingya woman baths her child near a tent at Tangkhali, Ukhiya, Bangladesh, on September 17, (EPA/ABIR ABDULLAH) Prepared with assistance from TC 2, The Critical Thinking Consortium Page 7 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

8 Editorial Cartoon The Desperate Plight of the Rohingya Persecuted in Myanmar and Nowhere to Go YOUR TASK: Examine the editorial cartoon, then answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper: 1. What do you already know about the Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar? Explain. 2. Describe what you see and read in the cartoon. Who or what is featured in the cartoon? What are these people/objects doing? What else do you see? 3. As you see it, what might the cartoonist be saying about Rohingya refugees? Explain. 4. For what reasons do you agree with the cartoonist s perspective? For what reasons do you disagree? J Page 8 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

9 Map Assignment Complete this map assignment to better understand the article The Desperate Plight of the Rohingya. INSTRUCTIONS 1. Obtain the required resources and read all the instructions before starting. 2. Colour your map after all labelling is completed. 3. Print in pencil only first, then go over the printing in black ink. 4. Work carefully and neatly. Resources Required: pencil, black pen, pencil crayons, ruler, eraser and an atlas. Part A Locate and label the following countries in large CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated: Nepal (purple) Bangladesh (yellow) Myanmar (green) Laos (yellow) Thailand (orange) Cambodia (brown) Vietnam (purple) Part B Locate and label the capital city of each country and underline each city name. Part C Locate and label the following countries in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated: India (pink) Bhutan (orange) China (red) Part D Locate and label the Andaman Islands (India). Part E Locate and label the following cities in Myanmar: Yangon (Rangoon) Mandalay Bago Taunggyi Part F Locate and label the following rivers and shade them light blue: Ganges Irrawaddy Mekong Yangtze (Chang Jiang) Part G Locate and label the following and shade all ocean water dark blue: Indian Ocean Bay of Bengal Andaman Sea Part H Locate and label the Tropic of Cancer (23 o N). Part I Complete your map with a frame, title and compass. J Myanmar Page 9 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

10 Kilometres

11 Quiz THE DESPERATE PLIGHT OF THE ROHINGYA Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer on the line beside each question: 1. Which religion do most Rohingya in Myanmar practice? a) Buddhism b) Christianity c) Islam d) Hinduism 2. How many Rohingya have left Myanmar in recent weeks? a) 250,000 b) 400,000 c) 750,000 d) 1.1 million 3. To which country did most of these people escape to? a) Bangladesh b) China c) Japan d) India 4. True or False? Most citizens of Myanmar are Buddhist. 5. True or False? Aung San Suu Kyi is speaking out in support of the Rohingya. 6. Would you consider the ARSA to be a terrorist organization or a group of freedom fighters? Why? Explain. Page 11 What in the world? Level 1 article issue 2

12 Routing Slip: (please circulate) page 3 page 14 page 9 Level 2 (Grades 8, 9 and 10) September 2011 A monthly current events resource for Canadian classrooms Current Events, Clearly Explained Students want to know what s happening in their world but the news can be difficult and time-consuming to teach. We have the solution. (Three, actually.) grade 3 & up The Canadian Reader Nos Nouvelles Print/pdf resource Clearly written, leveled Canadian current events articles Literacy-based lesson plans Engaging, original illustrations Comics Map assignments Product details: 32 pages, black and white. Available in English and in French for grades 3 and up. Print or pdf grade 5 & up Europe, the U.S., and The Economy Routing Slip: (please circulate) Routing Slip: (please circulate) Rick Hansen and Many in Motion Rick Hansen and Many in Motion Rick Hansen and Many in Motion Europe, the U.S., and The Economy Europe, the U.S., and The Economy page 14 Struggle for Survival in Somalia page 14 Struggle for Survival in Somalia Struggle for Survival in page 9 Cell Phones in the Spotlight page 20 page 9 Cell Phones Somalia in the Spotlight page 20 Cell Phones in the Spotlight page 20 page 3 page 3 Level 2 (Grades 8, 9 and 10) A monthly current events resource for Canadian classrooms September 2011 A monthly current events resource for Canadian classrooms September 2011 Level 2 (Grades 8, 9 and 10) What in the World? Le Monde en Marche Print/pdf resource National and international news stories Key vocabulary Background information Varied assignments that build content-area knowledge and enhance critical thinking Maps and illustrations Product details: 32 pages, black and white. Available in English and in French, and in two reading levels, for grades 5 and up grade 3 & up Currents4Kids.com Infos-Jeunes.com Online interactive resource Weekly news stories Autograded quizzes Comment page for students to respond to the stories Links to relevant articles, resources, maps, photos and videos Suggested activities and a Word Work assignment One subscription allows all teachers and students access to this site from any Internet-connected device at any time. Available in English and in French, for grades 3 and up. Contact us for a sample copy or free demo. LesPlan Educational Services Ltd. # Wilkinson Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 5A7 info@lesplan.com Online interactive

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