Esperanza Rising - American History Through Story
Esperanza is a 13 year old Mexican girl coming of age as a migrant farm worker during the Great Depression.
Johanna England Chavez, MSW
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(380)
What's included
6 live meetings
5 in-class hoursClass Experience
This novel study is one in a series of coming of age stories, featuring strong, female protagonists. In Esperanza Rising, a 13 year old Mexican girl comes of age in the 1930s as a migrant farm worker. Esperanza loses most everything she loves before finding and learning to trust herself. Pam Muñoz Ryan wrote this beautiful novel based on the life experiences of her grandmother, Esperanza Ortega. This class is appropriate for advanced 4th grade through middle school. The major literary theme of Esperanza Rising is perseverance. Courage, loss , race and class are also themes of the novel that we will discuss in class. The daily lives of migrant farm workers in 1930s California is thoroughly explored in the novel. Daily life and class division in Mexico are also explored. Students will be asked to read 2-3 chapters and complete 1-2 hours of homework before each class. We will practice vocabulary, character analysis, illustration, writing dialogue and imagery. Students will be encouraged, but not required, to share some of their work in class. If you are interested in this course, but your child is unable to attend in person, you may register for any section and will receive a recording of the live class and course materials after each class. Please let me know ahead of time if you register, but your child will not be in attendance. Meeting One: Introduction and Chapters 1-2 *Discuss reading and questions *Class division in Mexico *Characterization *Vocabulary *Begin character analysis sheet for major characters Meeting Two: Chapters 3-4 *Discuss reading and questions *What is historical fiction? *Author discussion *Vocabulary *Continue character analysis Meeting Three: Chapters 5-6 *Discuss reading and questions *Life as a migrant farm worker *Imagery assignment *Vocabulary *Continue character analysis Meeting Four: Chapters 7-8 *Discuss reading and questions *Valley fever *Writing mechanics activity *Vocabulary *Continue character analysis Meeting Five: Chapters 9-11 *Discuss reading and questions *Dialogue assignment *Cesar Chavez and the National Farm Workers Association *Vocabulary *Continue character analysis Meeting Six: Chapters 12-13, Author's Note and "After Words" *Discuss reading and questions *Writing Assignment *Vocabulary *Complete character analysis
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The protagonist loses her father and childhood home. She and her mother must start their lives over in a new country and in a new socioeconomic class.
Supply List
Curriculum will be provided for this class. Students will need a binder to keep their workbook pages in. Students will also need a copy of Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Please purchase the version of the novel with an interview with the author called "After Words". It can be found on Amazon (ISBN: 978-0-439-12042-5). If purchasing at a book store, check the back cover. It should say "Includes After Words bonus interview, information and interactivity inside."
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2017
4.8
380reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
As an undergraduate, I completed a minor in English literature and creative writing. Reading is one of the great loves of my life and I find such pleasure in sharing it with children. Literature can provide a vast educational experience beyond the joy of the reading itself. A great novel exposes readers to history, culture and strong social messages. It is my mission as a language arts teacher to teach children to look beyond the obvious in books and mine all of the richness they have to offer. Reviews
Live Group Class
$90
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min
Completed by 47 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
4-12 learners per class
