Finding Home: The House on Mango Street

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 4

7th Grade

Lesson 1 of 22

Objective


Explain how Esperanza views her home and how living there impacts her identity.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros  pp. 3 – 9

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A Note for Teachers


Due to differences in scheduling and sequencing across schools, this lesson is written assuming that students will need to both read and discuss the text in class. However, if this unit is being taught in sequence, Fishtank recommends that students complete the reading for this lesson as homework prior to class so that students have more time to meaningfully engage in analysis and discussion. 

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does Esperanza feel about where she lives? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • How is the house on Mango Street different from the apartments Esperanza and her family lived in previously? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. 

  • How is the house on Mango Street different from the "real house" (p. 4) Esperanza imagines for her family? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. 

  • How does Cisneros use imagery to describe Esperanza's relationship with her mother? Cite evidence from "Hairs" to support your answer.

  • How does Cisneros use figurative language to describe Esperanza's relationship with her siblings? Cite evidence from "Boys and Girls" to support your answer.

Exit Ticket

Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

vignette

a brief, evocative description, account, or episode that generally focuses on capturing a single moment or experience

imagery

vivid description that appeals to a reader's senses to create an image or idea in their head

Text-based

ordinary

adj.

(p. 4)

normal, with no special features

Homework


To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Article: “Two Men and Two Paths” by Nicholas Kristof 

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Who is Wes Moore? 

  • What did Wes Moore discover about his name? 

  • How does Wes Moore feel connected to the other Wes Moore? 

  • Describe the similarities between how both men named Wes Moore grew up. 

  • Describe the differences between how both men named Wes Moore grew up. 

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Common Core Standards


  • RL.7.3 — Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
  • RL.7.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.

Supporting Standards

L.7.5
L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
RL.7.6
RL.7.10
SL.7.1
SL.7.6
W.7.1
W.7.1.a
W.7.1.b
W.7.4
W.7.9
W.7.9.a
W.7.10

Next

Analyze the role that one's name plays in shaping identity in multiple sources.  

Lesson 2
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