STEP 1: Foundational Discussion 

We recommend that educators discuss some of these narrative devices and techniques with the class:

point of view
foreshadowing
metaphor
flashback
magical realism

Nguyen uses many of these devices and techniques to good effect throughout the narrative. It will be helpful to the reader's understanding of the narrative if they have a chance to reflect on or at least refresh their memories about what these mean.

This book is a study in the layers of what make us human. The characters have a lot of nuance and depth that render them as very three-dimensional and realistic; and this is juxtaposed against one of Nguyen's stylistic decisions to build much of the narrative around cultural fairy tales and mythologies. The accessibility of the main characters is in contrast to the fantastical elements that recur throughout the story. The character layers are built in deliberately by Nguyen who allows us to connect with the characters' willingness to reveal their full selves. . .particularly in his main character--Tiến.

Tiến is grappling with various constaints--his family's culture and history, the immigrant experience of his family, his friendship groups and social relationships, and his sexual orientation--that are not always in perfect harmony. And he navigates his way around these various components of what make him complicated and three dimensional all throughout the book. We encourage educators to check in with their class about what they know about the concepts of assimilation, acculturation, and inclusion. How are these terms related? How do they differ. And to what degree do they describe Tiến's experience throughout the book and the implications of his many layers as a character?

This Google Classroom is designed to allow teachers from different classes/schools to facilitate collaboration and communication about student allyship, culturally responsive curriculum, and youth voice and empowerment. Before engaging in this culminating classroom discussion, all students should have A) read The Magic Fish  B) viewed the primary source video "One Book, One San Diego Author Event with Trung Le Nguyen" (above) and  C) discussed and reflected on the reading/viewing of A) & B) with their classmates.

You are welcome to clone this class and share as you see fit within SDUSD. (Scroll up to directly above "Educator Pathway" for cloning instructions or--if you're not an SDUSD educator) a job-aid on how to build your own.

Please note: Educators may need to go to "Stream" section of the General settings (below) and select "Students can post and comment" if it's not selected in the general settings. 

Classwork #1 Narratives and Art That Inspire YOU

1. In the "Question" section of your "Classwork" tab, paste this:  

1. Trung Le Nguyen Prompt #1: Narratives and Art That Inspire YOU

"In The Magic Fish, the book’s main characters interact with different kinds of languages: the languages of Vietnamese and English and the language of metaphor as they explore the threads of multiple fairy tales. These fairy tales–as told by the main characters–help both Tiến, the main character, and his mother, Hiến as they navigate the events happening in the real world. So are there any kinds of narratives–whether they’re fantasy or real; whether poetry, prose, or song lyrics–what are the narratives that inspire YOU. . .to find your own path in life? What is the art that gives you validation for being exactly the way you are and for finding your most authentic self? What narratives have helped YOU figure out your place in the world and how and why were those narratives important to you?"

2. In the "Instructions" section, paste this:  

Synthesizing what you read in The Magic Fish, viewed in the "One Book, One San Diego Author Event with Trung Le Nguyen" video, and your own life experiences, view Trung Le Nguyen's prompt (below) and compose a unique post.

Additionally, please respond to at least two other students' posts. Be sure to use academic language, proper punctuation, and respectful dialogue.

Attached is a discussion rubric and expectations for facilitating online communication. 

Classwork #2 Power to Shift the Narrative for Another

1. In the "Question" section of your "Classwork" tab, paste this:  

1. Trung Le Nguyen Prompt #2: Power to Shift the Narrative for Another

"Why do YOU think it was so difficult for Tiến to come out to his family and reveal that he was gay? Did you notice that Tiến was out to his friend group BEFORE he came out to his family? What does that tell you about his friends? What does that reveal about his relationship to his family? What does this reveal about his relationship with his family? In the final fairy tale that Hiến (Tiến’s mother) shares, the ending was changed a little bit from the way that the story is normally told. Changing the ending to this story is an act of human agency. Tiến’s mom recognized that she had the power to shift the narrative of the fairy tale in a way that let Tiến know that he is perfect exactly the way he is. Are there ways that you can use YOUR agency to shift the narrative for somebody who is counting on you? What would YOU do to give your friend or family member that kind of support when they happen to need it the most?"

2. In the "Instructions" section, paste this:  

Synthesizing what you read in The Magic Fish, viewed in the "One Book, One San Diego Author Event with Trung Le Nguyen" video, and your own life experiences, view Trung Le Nguyen's prompt (below) and compose a unique post.

Additionally, please respond to at least two other students' posts. Be sure to use academic language, proper punctuation, and respectful dialogue.

Attached is a discussion rubric and expectations for facilitating online communication. 

Learning About Threats to Democracy

Help your students reflect on the significance of events within recent history that comprise a threat to civil discourse and our democratic system of government. 

The Magic Fish Lesson Plan

Generated by the SDSU Center for Comic Studies, this 10-page PDF provides loads of great curricular prompts and discussion topics as well as some project challenges that you could lift with your own students. 

Open Books Curricular Resources for The Magic Fish

Beautiful resources compiled and curated by Teaching Books that include audio recordings of Trung Le Nguyen discussing the book, his stylistic decisions, panel analysis, an audio recording of Trung Le Nguyen talking about his own name, and multiple other curricular activities that nicely supplement a reading of the Magic Fish.

National Geographic Kids - Vietnam

A bit of a historical backdrop to help provide context for the Vietnamese immigrant experience. Vietnam is NOT merely a war, but a nuanced country with thousands of years of documented history. It is important to acknowledge the multi-layered history even if the war was the main driver for the influx of immigrants seeking asylum in the US over the past 50 years.