The Land I Lost:

Adventures of a Boy in Vietnam

from the book by Huynh Quang Nhuong

Powerpoint presentation by Carol Harms, JSD 171, Orofino, IDhttp://www.opencourtresources.com

The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was

completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887.

Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France

continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by Communist forces

under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954,

Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and

anti-Communist South. US economic and military aid to

South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to

bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn

following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later,

North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the

country under Communist rule.

This story is told by a manwho is looking back on his childhood in Vietnamand remembering special people,moments or events in his life.

Huynh Quang Nhuong was born in Vietnam. He grew up thereand became a first lieutenant in the South Vietnamese army,and was wounded during the Vietnam War. He came to theUnited States for medical treatment. Once here, he becamea United States citizen.

Vietnam is in SouthEast Asia.

Look at the map to see what countries are its neighbors.

As you read, you will learn about Vietnamese culture. Culture is the way of life of a group of people in a particular time or place.

hamleta group of houses that make up a small village

cultivateto take care of something so that it will grow

Passiona strong feeling about

something

mythologya group of stories made up long ago to explain natural events or religious beliefs and customs

karateAn Asian art of self defense

deep shallow

enter exit

lead followWhat do these word pairs

have in common?

deep shallow

enter exit

lead follow

These word pairs are antonyms or opposites. Can you think of an antonym for the following words?

feared, weak, sneaky

feared season weak sneaky

one spelling of the long e sound is ea

whined whereverwhen whale

wh at the beginning of a word says /hw/

downtown hours

mountains surrounded houses

These words contain the

/ow/ sound spelled ou and ow.

Weak swimmers should stay in the shallow end of the pool.

I feared this season’s whole crop would be ruined by the heat.

Weak swimmers should stay in the shallow end of the pool.

I feared this season’s whole crop would be ruined by the heat.

1. Which words have the long e sound spelled ea?2. Find antonyms for the following words:feared, ruined, heat, weak, and stay.

My little brother whinedand followed me whereverI went.

1. Which words contain the digraphwh? What sound does this make?2. Think of an antonym for followed.

The author’s purposeis the reason for writing a selection.

Can you think of 4 purposes?

Author’s Purpose1. To inform2. To explain3. To persuade4. To entertain