GeoCivics
Exploring Language in Esperanza Rising
Author: Cynthia Villarreal Cantu, Texas
Grade 3-5
This lesson will focus on exploring and describing migration and why fieldworkers migrate. Throughout the lesson the students will discuss how the different crops affected Esperanza throughout the story. The
lesson tells the story of Esperanza’s struggles in a new country. During the lesson, the students will create a timeline and analyze the novel to make a personal connection.
Exploring Poetry in Land of the Cranes
Author: Cynthia Villarreal Cantu, Texas
Grade 3-6
During this lesson, the students will explore translanguaging used through poetry in the book, Land of the Cranes. The students will make connections to bilingual students' experiences, background, and location. This book of poems tells the story of Betita’s experience in a family detention camp as she waits for her journey from Los Angeles to Mexico. Betita, her mother, and other asylum seekers experience cruel and inhumane conditions. However, through poetry she empowers their voices. Throughout the lesson, the students will discuss how Betita used poetry to overcome the struggles in her life. After reading the poems from Land of the Cranes, the students will learn about the importance of identity, and agency to create a culture that promotes social justice. As part of the lesson, the students will create a song or poem based on the book. They will all also complete a Venn Diagram where they will compare and contrast Betita’s and Esperanza’s experiences.
Civic Action Project: Creating a Multicultural Library
Author: Cynthia Villarreal Cantu, Texas
Grade 3-5
During this lesson, the students will explore and create an Identity Chart. The students will make connections to the previous books they read, Esperanza Rising and Land of the Cranes, including the experiences, background, and location. Through creating and carrying out a Civic Action Project the students will also research and create a multimodal text set and a list of multicultural books they would like to be included in their new school library. They will learn to use technology to create posters, flyers, video, or brochures to request donations of books. They will also create formal correspondence with publishers and community members requesting donations and promoting their multicultural library.