1. Set Focus
Pose these essential questions: Why do countries go to war? How do wars affect countries?
2. List Vocabulary
Share some of the challenging vocabulary words in the article (see below). Encourage students to use context to infer meanings as they read.
- protracted (p. 18)
- ideologies (p. 18)
- disillusioned (p. 19)
- conscripted (p. 20)
- stalemate (p. 20)
- reconciliation (p. 21)
3. Engage
Have students examine the map on page 18. Ask: What did the demilitarized zone divide? Why do you think Vietnam divided into North and South Vietnam? Why do you think the two Vietnams reunified? Why do you think what used to be called Saigon is now called Ho Chi Minh City? Explain that the article answers these questions.