Lesson 14 | Dreaming in Cuban | 11th Grade English

Objective

Explain how Garcia reveals Celia’s past through her letters.

Readings and Materials

Book: Dreaming in Cuban by Christina Garcia pp. 97 – 101 — "Celia's Letters: 1942-1949"

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task

Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved

Through Celia’s letters to Gustavo, Garcia is able to convey many important details. Explain what the reader learns about Celia and about Cuba in these letters.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

What is happening in Cuba, according to Celia’s first letter?
How did the tidal wave impact the family according to p. 98?
What does Celia think of the politicians “carving up the world?”
What does the birth of her son make Celia think of on p. 100?
How is Celia’s smile changing? Why?
Why is Celia’s final question on p. 101 so significant?

Notes

Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson

This chapter is short and could be assigned for homework or paired with another lesson if desired.

Lesson 13

Lesson 15

Lesson Map

“Cold War Rivals: Cuba and the United States”

Explain the relationship between Cuba and the United States and the contributing factors to the rivalry between the two countries.

Become familiar with key terms and phrases from the unit.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 3 – 9 — "Ordinary Seductions: Ocean Blue"

Explain Celia’s role in the family and her opinion of the United States.

Describe the importance of the setting.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 9 – 15 — "Felicia del Pino"

Continue to develop the del Pina family tree.

Characterize Felicia based on her reaction to her father’s death.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 17 – 25 — "Going South"

Characterize Lourdes based on today’s reading.

Explain how the author reveals theme through the descriptions of both the United States and Cuba in the opening chapters.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 25 – 34 — "Pilar Puente"
“The Rise and Fall of Karl Marx”

Explain how Garcia uses tone to characterize Pilar.

Contrast views on Communism.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 35 – 43 — "The House on Palmas Street"

Analyze and explain the symbolism of Celia’s pearl drop earrings.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 44 – 48

Explain the symbolism of the sugar cane.

Describe Hugo and Felicia’s relationship.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 49 – 55 — "Celia's Letters: 1935-1940"

Define “epistolary” and explain the author’s purpose for including Celia’s letters.

Identify tone in Celia’s letters.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 57 – 64 — "A Grove of Lemons"

Describe the relationship between Lourdes and Pilar.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 64 – 74 — "Lourdes"

Analyze and explain how Lourdes’s tragic past may have shaped her current views on Cuba, the United States, and immigration.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 75 – 83 — "The Fire Between Them"

Explain the events that have shaped Felicia’s character thus far.

Analyze and explain how the author uses tone to create suspense.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 83 – 89 — "Ivanito Villaverde"

Describe the relationship between Ivanito and his mother, Felicia.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 89 – 95 — "Celia"

Discuss the impact men have had on the del Pino women so far in this novel.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 97 – 101 — "Celia's Letters: 1942-1949"

Explain how Garcia reveals Celia’s past through her letters.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 105 – 111 — "The Meaning of Shells (1974)"
“Fidel Castro, Cuban Revolutionary Who Defied U.S., Dies at 90”

Explain how the Cuban revolution impacts the relationship of Felicia and Celia.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 111 – 119 — "1975"

Trace the development of Celia’s internal conflict and how she attempts to solve it.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 119 – 126 — "Lus Villaverde"

Discuss and debate the fate of Hugo Villaverde.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 127 – 133 — "Enough Attitude (1975)"

Contrast how Garcia describes New York and Cuba and explain what theme is revealed.

Explain the symbolism of Pilar’s gift to Lourdes.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 134 – 144 — "Pilar (1976)"

Analyze the relationship between Lourdes and Pilar.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 145 – 155 — "Baskets of Water, Ivanito"

Explain how Garcia uses symbolism to convey theme.

Identify and interpret irony in Felicia’s story.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 155 – 160 — "1978"

Analyze and explain the relationship between Celia and Javier.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 161 – 165 — "Celia's Letters: 1950-1955"

Analyze the impact of the author’s choice in chronology.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 167 – 175 — "A Matrix of Light"

Explain how the author develops Lourdes’s character.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 175 – 181 — "Pilar (1978)"

Analyze and explain how Garcia further develops Pilar’s character.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 183 – 191 — "God's Will, Herminia Delgado"

Explain the factors that led to Felicia’s death.

Analyze the symbolism of the seashells.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 193 – 203 — "Daughters of Chango (1979)"

Analyze and interpret Garcia’s use of flashback.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 205 – 209 — "Celia's Letters"

Explain how Garcia further develops character through Celia’s letters and Jorge’s visits.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 213 – 222 — "The Languages Lost: Six Days in April"

Analyze Garcia’s use of juxtaposition.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 222 – 232 — "Lourdes"

Explain how Garcia reveals the impact that Cuba has on Lourdes.

Analyze how Garcia uses juxtaposition to reveal theme.

Dreaming in Cuban pp. 232 – 244 — "Castro Announces Mariel Boatlift"

Students will be able to explain the title of the final section using evidence from the final scenes.

Assessment

Dreaming in Cuban

Objective

Readings and Materials

Target Task

Key Questions

Notes

Lesson Map

Request a Demo

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

Effective Instruction Made Easy