To begin, students made predictions as to how the novel would end. They wrote them on scrap slips of paper and turned them in, and I shared them with the class.
We discussed the before-reading discussion questions from the Teacher’s Guide.
I read the chapter aloud to my students, and they followed along in their books.
Students worked individually to complete this Graphic Organizer/comprehension question worksheet.
I reviewed the correct answers with them.
Students worked with partners to complete the timeline activity from the Teacher’s Guide (I made a reusable set, of course!).
I assigned them a project. It was an epic fail, and so I will not be posting on it, haha!!
I received express, written consent from the publisher to share the materials that I created and to use the cover image and title of the novel in this blog post. I am not compensated in any way by the author or publisher for writing this post.
More on teaching Esperanza:
- Esperanza, Chapter 1 (Day 1 and Day 2)
- Esperanza, Chapter 2
- Esperanza, Chapter 3
- Esperanza, Chapters 4-6
- Esperanza, Chapter 7
- Esperanza, Chapter 8
- Esperanza, Chapter 9
- Esperanza, Chapter 10
Using novels in class:
- How should I use novels in class?
- “Is this novel REALLY Level 1?” – Which factors contribute to text complexity?
- Traffic Light Activities to keep the reading process novel
- Use speed dating to help your students find their perfect book.
- Are my students ready to read this book?
- El Nuevo Houdini lesson plans
Was the duration of this novel from January through April? It’s now April 14. Do I have time to even start this novel, or should I wait until next year?
When does your school year end?? What level are you using it for? Do your kids already have the vocabulary they need to understand it, or will you need to do a lot of vocabulary instruction along the way? Our school year ends May 17 (and then finals week), and I would not feel comfortable doing it in just a month. If you have two months left (your school year ends in June), go for it!! But if you can answer those questions I listed, I can give you a better answer!!
School ends Jun 7, and then finals week. I will do some STAMP test prep here and there as the topics relate to the novel, and I may have to teach some of the vocabulary along the way. About how many days per chapter do you think?
I would not plan for fewer than two days per chapter. There are a ton of extra resources, but you could work it down to the bare minimum and plow through it. With vocabulary instruction, you probably want to plan for at least three days per chapter: one to work on vocab and pre-reading discussion and two for reading and after-reading activities.
Martina does the teacher’s guide come with a quiz for each chapter? I see that there is one in the sample chapter that you can preview, I’m just trying to decide if it is worth the money to buy it. Thank you for all your useful insight, I plan on teaching this novel in the coming school year!
Yes, there is a quiz for every chapter. It is DEFINITELY worth the money!!! I highly recommend purchasing it!
Have you ever shown the movie, El Norte, with the novel?
I haven’t, but I know that other teachers have! If you’re looking for accompanying activities, maybe put out a query on the MoreTPRS listserv?
Hi Martina,
I love reading how you presented Esperanza! I used many of your ideas with success and yesterday, I added an activity where I literally took pictures of the drawings in the book. I sent them to myself and then copied and pasted them to post them in a powerpoint. I then partnered students up and did “story talk” where they had 1 minute each to describe what was happening in the photo and either re-create Esperanza or their own story about the drawing from the book. I was amazed how much my Spanish 2 students were able to say since the photo was familiar and they were into the story.
I then did some extra research and found this amazing website, which has so many incredible resources and videos that are so meaningful to do in class that make Esperanza come alive.
http://elmundodebirch.wikispaces.com/Esperanza+2015
Thank you for all you do! You have helped me love my job!
I’m so glad to hear it, Maureen! And Sharon’s blog is a GOLD MINE! I have been loving her Robo en la noche resources most recently! Thanks for sharing the activity that you did with Esperanza;after which chapter did you do it?