✅ Complete Writing Topic #13
Postcard to Abuelita from Esperanza
You are to write and illustrate a postcard to Abuelita from Esperanza. Follow the requirements below:
LESSON 9: CELEBRATION
Esperanza Rising (pages 234-254) written by Pam Muñoz Ryan
In the conclusion of the book, the reason for Miguel's disappearance is revealed. Today, you will connect what you have learned so far about the Strengths of Belonging, Friendship, and Kindness with the theme of this book.
The Celebration Unit celebrates summer school accomplishment and growth. Through books and shared experiences, students will celebrate their new Strengths with your summer school community.
In the conclusion of the book, the reason for Miguel's disappearance is revealed. Today, you will connect what you have learned so far about the Strengths of Belonging, Friendship, and Kindness with the theme of this book.
The Celebration Unit celebrates summer school accomplishment and growth. Through books and shared experiences, students will celebrate their new Strengths with your summer school community.
QuickWrite
A Defining Strength
Consider the Strengths of Belonging, Friendship, and Kindness that you have learned about during our time together so far. Which of these Strengths is most important to you?
Take two minutes to write about the importance of Belonging, Friendship, or Kindness in your life.
Consider the Strengths of Belonging, Friendship, and Kindness that you have learned about during our time together so far. Which of these Strengths is most important to you?
- Is belonging to a family, team, or religious community most important to you?
- Is having friendship or kindness in your life most important?
Take two minutes to write about the importance of Belonging, Friendship, or Kindness in your life.
Vocabulary Words of the Day
Review and add these words and definitions to your vocabulary tab:
- anticipation (p. 247): a feeling of expectation or excitement about something that will happen
- cacophony (p. 250): a mixture of sounds that are not in harmony (includes the Greek prefix cac-, which means "bad," and the Greek roo phon, which means "sound." )
- infinite (p. 251): limitless or without end
- recollections (p. 256): memories of past experiences
Reading
It is hard to believe that we are at the midpoint of our time in summer school. Let's celebrate all that we have learned about the Strengths of Belonging, Friendship, and Kindness. As we finish reading Esperanza Rising, consider how the Strengths we have explored are important to the conclusion and theme of the story.
DURING READING
As you read, pause for discussion as noted below. Today's text begins on page 234 and ends on page 254 (with Author's Note ending on page 262).
AFTER PAGE 240: How is bringing Abuelita to America "proof" that things will get better?
AFTER PAGE 247: How does the structure of the book reflect the way Esperanza describes her story to Abuelita?
AFTER PAGE 253: Why do you think the author chose to use this statement by Abuelita- repeated by Esperanza-as the last line of the novel? What meaning do you think the author wanted to convey in this line?
AFTER PAGE 262: What information in the Author's Note did you find most interesting or surprising?
AFTER READING
In the conclusion of Esperanza Rising, Esperanza's attitude toward life in America changes. With her mother's health improving and the arrival of Abuelita, Esperanza looks to the future with joy and optimism.
The novel ends with Esperanza celebrating her birthday with friends and family.
- Based on our reading so far, how do you think the novel will end?
- How has Esperanza grown and developed the Strengths of Belonging, Friendship, and Kindness?
DURING READING
As you read, pause for discussion as noted below. Today's text begins on page 234 and ends on page 254 (with Author's Note ending on page 262).
AFTER PAGE 240: How is bringing Abuelita to America "proof" that things will get better?
AFTER PAGE 247: How does the structure of the book reflect the way Esperanza describes her story to Abuelita?
AFTER PAGE 253: Why do you think the author chose to use this statement by Abuelita- repeated by Esperanza-as the last line of the novel? What meaning do you think the author wanted to convey in this line?
AFTER PAGE 262: What information in the Author's Note did you find most interesting or surprising?
AFTER READING
In the conclusion of Esperanza Rising, Esperanza's attitude toward life in America changes. With her mother's health improving and the arrival of Abuelita, Esperanza looks to the future with joy and optimism.
The novel ends with Esperanza celebrating her birthday with friends and family.
- Why do you think the author chose to end the novel this way?
- How are the Strengths of Belonging, Friendship and Kindness relevant to this birthday celebration?
- Why do you think the author included an Author's Note in the book?
- How did the Author's Note affect your understanding of the story?
Summary
Today, you are going to complete the following character analysis from characters in the book: Isabela, Marta, Mama, and Esperanza. Make sure to refer back to the text for help in completing these summaries.
You have finished your 1st Summer School Novel!
1924
Las Uvas- Grapes (6 years later)
Las Papayas- Papayas
Los Higos- Figs
Las Guayabas- Guavas
Los Melones- Cantaloupes
Las Cebollas- Onions
Las Almendras- Almonds
Las Ciruelas- Plums
Las Papas-Potatoes
Los Aguacates- Avocados
Los Esparragos- Asparagus
Los Duraznos- Peaches
Las Uvas- Grapes
Las Uvas- Grapes (6 years later)
Las Papayas- Papayas
Los Higos- Figs
Las Guayabas- Guavas
Los Melones- Cantaloupes
Las Cebollas- Onions
Las Almendras- Almonds
Las Ciruelas- Plums
Las Papas-Potatoes
Los Aguacates- Avocados
Los Esparragos- Asparagus
Los Duraznos- Peaches
Las Uvas- Grapes