Designed to provide a historically accurate look at contemporary political refugees in Nebraska, this teacher's guide traces the life of the Martinez family from their native home in Latin America, through their difficult journey to the United States, to their settlement in Omaha, Nebraska. By focusing on a fictitious family representative of refugees that migrate from Latin America to the United States, students are provided with an objective look at these "modern pioneers" (los peregrinos modernos). Although intended for use with a series of eight 15-minute telecasts, the teacher's manual provides lessons that can be used independently of the telecasts. Designed for students in grade 4, lesson plans include objectives, pretelecast lessons, a description of the telecast, and immediate and extended follow-up questions. Students respond to an hypothetical situation by playing the role of reporter and responding to thought-provoking questions provided on reproducible "Reporter's Notebook" worksheets. Lessons focus on why people are refugees in the modern world, U.S. policies and attitudes toward refugees, the difficulty of assimilation, prejudice and discrimination, difficulties encountered by children in school and second language speakers, financial hardships and harsh winters, economic hardships, and cultural diversity. The guide concludes with two true stories about modern pioneers from Laos and from Puerto Rico. (LH)