Hmong Leaders in Wisconsin Communities
Grades 3-5
Multiple class periods
In these lessons, students will study the immigration history of the Hmong people and how they adapted their traditional ways of life to new situations.
Objectives
Enduring Understanding
When people move to new places, they bring their cultural practices with them and often start new ones. Hmong people maintained their traditions when they came to Wisconsin and became leaders in their local communities.
Essential Questions
- What traditions make our communities special?
- When and why did Hmong people come to Wisconsin?
- How do Hmong American people, businesses and organizations make Wisconsin's culture and economy stronger?
Students will:
- Consider how people continue their traditions while making new ones.
- Discuss different types of leadership and what makes a good leader.
- Learn how immigration impacts families and communities.
Activity
In this series of three lessons, students will study the immigration history of the Hmong people, learn how the Hmong have adapted traditional knowledge to modern solutions, and study how they have applied leadership skills to strengthen Wisconsin communities.
Download ActivitiesCredit: Lesson plan created by Kate Van Haren.
WisHistory Education
History matters! The Wisconsin Historical Society provides field trips, learning opportunities, civics education programs, teacher professional development and more.
Explore Educational Resources
Other Act 266 Resources
Learn More
Creating a Story Cloth
Lessons from Hmong Cultural Traditions
In this lesson, students learn the history of Hmong embroidery, the meaning of story cloths in Hmong culture, and create their own version of a story cloth.
Coming to America
The History of Hmong Immigration
In these lessons students will analyze written and oral histories to compare and contrast the immigration experiences of the Hmong, Vietnamese, and Cambodian people.
Act 266 Scope & Sequence
An In-Depth Unit on Hmong History, Culture, and Tradition
Students engage in research & project based learning to better understand the history, culture, traditions of the Hmong people.
Primary Sources for Teaching Act 266
AAPI Immigration on Turning Points
Explore Act 266 relevant primary sources from the Turning Points collection.
Act 266 Book List
AAPI Immigration on Turning Points
Book list and reading activities for teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026
