Finding Home: The House on Mango Street

Lesson 2
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 4

7th Grade

Lesson 2 of 19

Objective


Explain how Cisneros uses specific literary devices, words, and phrases to reveal aspects of characters and their perspectives.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros  pp. 10 – 16 — "My Name" through "Our Good Day"

Fishtank Plus

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

Target Task


Writing Prompt

What is Esperanza’s perspective of her great grandmother, and of the fact that she is named after her? How does Cisneros use word choice to develop Esperanza’s perspective? Provide at least three words and/or phrases from the chapter, "My Name" and explain how they develop Esperanza’s perspective.

Sample Response

Create a free account or sign in to view Sample Response

Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • What is Esperanza’s perspective of her own name? How does Cisneros use word choice and figurative language to develop Esperanza’s perspective? Provide at least three words and/or phrases from the chapter and what they reveal about Esperanza’s perspective.

  • What does Cathy mean when she says, on page 13, "the neighborhood is getting bad"? How does Esperanza respond to this statement? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

  • What is Esperanza’s perspective of Lucy and Rachel when she first meets them? How does Cisneros use word choice to develop Esperanza’s perspective? Provide at least two words and/or phrases from the chapter and what they reveal about Esperanza’s perspective.

Exit Ticket

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

Vocabulary


Academic

connotation

n.

the ideas and feelings that a word suggests beyond its literal, denotative meaning

denotation

n.

the literal meaning of a word; the "dictionary definition"

simile

n.

the comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as” to clarify that a comparison is being made

perspective

n.

a character’s opinion or feelings about a specific topic/idea/event or their view of the world more generally

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.

  • Book: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros  pp. 17 – 28 — "Laughter" through "Those Who Don't"

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Does Esperanza think that she and her sister Nenny are more similar or different? Explain.

  • Which neighbors do we meet in these chapters? Write at least one thing we learn about each of these new neighbors.

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

Common Core Standards


  • L.7.5 — Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
  • L.7.5.a — Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
  • L.7.5.c — Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., refined, respectful, polite, diplomatic, condescending).
  • RL.7.6 — Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Supporting Standards

L.7.5
L.7.6
RL.7.1
RL.7.2
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
icon/arrow/right/large copy

Lesson 1

icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson 3

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

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?

Yes

No

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

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Effective Instruction Made Easy

Access rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free