LESSON 8: KINDNESS
Esperanza Rising (pages 199-233) written by Pam Muñoz Ryan
When strikers protest for better wages, Esperanza witnesses the unjust treatment of Mexican immigrants by government officials and employers. Esperanza's spirits are lifted, however, by her mother's return home from the hospital. Today, you will explore ways to show kindness and fairness to people who are experiencing discrimination.
The Kindness Unit helps students recognize the power of kindness. Through books and shared experiences, students will enhance their relationships by performing acts of thoughtfulness and care, and by being conscious of the impact they feel in receiving kindness from others.
When strikers protest for better wages, Esperanza witnesses the unjust treatment of Mexican immigrants by government officials and employers. Esperanza's spirits are lifted, however, by her mother's return home from the hospital. Today, you will explore ways to show kindness and fairness to people who are experiencing discrimination.
The Kindness Unit helps students recognize the power of kindness. Through books and shared experiences, students will enhance their relationships by performing acts of thoughtfulness and care, and by being conscious of the impact they feel in receiving kindness from others.
Quick Write
One Act of Kindness
Imagine that you had the ability to change history through a single act of kindness. Take two minutes to describe what your act of kindness would be and how it would change history.
Imagine that you had the ability to change history through a single act of kindness. Take two minutes to describe what your act of kindness would be and how it would change history.
Vocabulary WORDS OF THE DAY
Review and add these words and definitions to your vocabulary tab:
• dedication (p. 214): the will or commitment to achieve a goal through hard work and determination
• unrelenting (p. 216): continuing without stop
• antiseptic (p. 231): very clean, without germs
Note: The word antiseptic includes anti-, which means "against." "Septic" means "filled with bacteria," or "poisonous."
• dedication (p. 214): the will or commitment to achieve a goal through hard work and determination
• unrelenting (p. 216): continuing without stop
• antiseptic (p. 231): very clean, without germs
Note: The word antiseptic includes anti-, which means "against." "Septic" means "filled with bacteria," or "poisonous."
Reading
Today, we will continue our unit on Kindness. Remember that kindness is being tender toward others in the world who are in need, both near and far. In today's reading, Esperanza gains a deeper understanding of the discrimination that Mexican people are facing in the United States during this time period. As we read on, consider how acts of kindness as well as acts of discrimination shape events
DURING READING
As you read pause for discussion as noted below. Today's text begins on page 199 and ends on page 233.
AFTER PAGE 204: Why were strikers upset with Mexican farm workers who continued to work? What is the real answer to Josefina's question about how people could starve when they live among so much food?
AFTER PAGE 213: Why does Esperanza decide to show kindness toward Marta when she is hiding? What do you think the torn piñata represents in the story?
AFTER PAGE 223: Why does Miguel accept the job of digging ditches? How is his perspective different from Esperanza's? How does kindness motivate his actions?
AFTER PAGE 233: How does Esperanza's kindness affect Isabel when she disappointed? Why do you think the author has Esperanza's mother want a tour the roses as soon as she returns from the hospital? Why are the doll and the roses significant at this point in the story?
AFTER READING
The strikes give Esperanza a deeper understanding of the issues facing Mexican immigrants in the United State in the 1930s. When discrimination affects both Isabel and Miguel, Esperanza's frustrations rise, but she is able to find joy in her mother's improved health and her return home.
• How does the arrival of workers from Oklahoma reveal the employers' prejudice toward Mexican workers?
• For Esperanza, how is giving Isabel her doll an act of kindness and also an act of protest against the unfair treatment of Mexicans?
- What is discrimination? How does it show a huge lack of kindness and understanding? What examples of discrimination have we seen in the novel so far?
- How has the kindness of others been important to the character of Esperanza? Do you think that she is becoming a kinder person?
DURING READING
As you read pause for discussion as noted below. Today's text begins on page 199 and ends on page 233.
AFTER PAGE 204: Why were strikers upset with Mexican farm workers who continued to work? What is the real answer to Josefina's question about how people could starve when they live among so much food?
AFTER PAGE 213: Why does Esperanza decide to show kindness toward Marta when she is hiding? What do you think the torn piñata represents in the story?
AFTER PAGE 223: Why does Miguel accept the job of digging ditches? How is his perspective different from Esperanza's? How does kindness motivate his actions?
AFTER PAGE 233: How does Esperanza's kindness affect Isabel when she disappointed? Why do you think the author has Esperanza's mother want a tour the roses as soon as she returns from the hospital? Why are the doll and the roses significant at this point in the story?
AFTER READING
The strikes give Esperanza a deeper understanding of the issues facing Mexican immigrants in the United State in the 1930s. When discrimination affects both Isabel and Miguel, Esperanza's frustrations rise, but she is able to find joy in her mother's improved health and her return home.
• How does the arrival of workers from Oklahoma reveal the employers' prejudice toward Mexican workers?
• For Esperanza, how is giving Isabel her doll an act of kindness and also an act of protest against the unfair treatment of Mexicans?
READING POWER: Identify Irony
In our reading, Esperanza recognizes many examples of discrimination and unjust treatment of Mexican immigrants in America. To emphasize the difficulties and issues facing Mexican workers, the author uses a variety of literary devices, or ways of using language for a certain purpose or effect. One of the literary devices the author used in our reading was irony. Irony is using language to show a contrast or contradiction between what is expressed about a situation and the reality of that situation.
To identify irony in the story, I look for a contrast or contradiction between what a character thinks or says and the reality of what is happening in the story. When I examine today's reading, I find an example of irony on page 204. When Isabel asks if her family will starve, Josefina assures her that they will not starve and questions how people could starve when they are surrounded by food. However, we know from the story that there are many people living in California who cannot afford to feed their families. The author uses irony here to emphasize the difference between what is expressed and the reality for Mexican farm workers. This sharp contrast emphasizes how unfair and difficult the situation is for families who are struggling to survive as workers on large thriving farms.
When we recognize irony in a text, we examine how an author uses language to make the reader stop and think about the text or emphasize an important idea in the story.
Now you will identify examples of irony in the reading and explain how the author uses irony in the novel. Look for details that show a contrast or contradiction between what is expressed about a situation and the reality of that situation.
To identify irony in the story, I look for a contrast or contradiction between what a character thinks or says and the reality of what is happening in the story. When I examine today's reading, I find an example of irony on page 204. When Isabel asks if her family will starve, Josefina assures her that they will not starve and questions how people could starve when they are surrounded by food. However, we know from the story that there are many people living in California who cannot afford to feed their families. The author uses irony here to emphasize the difference between what is expressed and the reality for Mexican farm workers. This sharp contrast emphasizes how unfair and difficult the situation is for families who are struggling to survive as workers on large thriving farms.
When we recognize irony in a text, we examine how an author uses language to make the reader stop and think about the text or emphasize an important idea in the story.
Now you will identify examples of irony in the reading and explain how the author uses irony in the novel. Look for details that show a contrast or contradiction between what is expressed about a situation and the reality of that situation.
COMMUNITY LIT: Camp Chat
INSTRUCTIONS: In the story, we saw how frustration caused Esperanza to make statements that were hurtful to Miguel, but it also led her to show extraordinary kindness to Isabel. Let's consider how strong feelings can affect our words and actions.
- When Esperanza was frustrated and angry that Isabel was not chosen to be May Queen because she was Mexican, how did giving Isabel the doll help both Isabel and Esperanza to feel better?
- When you are frustrated about something, what do you do? How can doing something kind for someone help when you are frustrated or angry?
WRITING POWER: Newspaper Article
Imagine that you are a reporter for a Mexican American newspaper in California in the 1930s. Your newspaper just published this article. Listen as I read it aloud.
Mexican Protests Fail as Midwestern Workers Flood California's Job Market
Mexican Protests Fail as Midwestern Workers Flood California's Job Market
Your job as a reporter is to interview two people, one who is for the strike and one who is against the strike, Think of three questions you would ask each person (total of 6). Imagine what their answers might be. Be sure they include why they feel the way they do. Writing a newspaper article about events and issues described in a story, including imagining talking to people involved in the event, will help us better understand the actions of the characters and the historical context of the story.
Now it's your turn to write up your interviews: One with a person who is pro-strike and one who is anti-strike. Include your questions and the answers each person gave in your own newspaper clipping. Click on the generator to create your news story with your interviews.
Now it's your turn to write up your interviews: One with a person who is pro-strike and one who is anti-strike. Include your questions and the answers each person gave in your own newspaper clipping. Click on the generator to create your news story with your interviews.