Finding Home: The House on Mango Street

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 4

7th Grade

Lesson 5 of 22

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros  pp. 12 – 18

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A Note for Teachers


In these lessons, "point of view" is understood to refer to the vantage point from which the story is told. When referenced, students are asked to consider the author's choice to write from a first-, second-, or third-person point of view. "Perspective" refers to the lens through which a character sees and understands the world. When referenced, students are asked to consider a character's opinion or feelings about a specific topic or event and to consider how a character's viewpoint is influenced by aspects of their identity, beliefs, and life experiences. 

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How is Esperanza adapting to her new neighborhood? How does Cisneros use specific literary devices and word choice to reveal Esperanza's perspective? 

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Key Questions

  • What does Esperanza learn about the neighborhood from Cathy? 

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

  • How does Cisneros use word choice to develop Esperana's perspective of Lucy and Rachel?

  • How does Cisneros use figurative language to describe the bond between Nenny and Esperanza?

Exit Ticket

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Vocabulary


Literary Terms

unreliable narrator

a narrator who tells a story in a way that might not be completely true or accurate

Text-based

distant

adj.

(p. 13)

physically far away; not emotionally close

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. 19 – 27

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What happens to the car that Esperanza gets to ride in? 

  • Why does Cisneros refer to Louie's cousins as "his cousin and his other cousin" (p. 23) rather than by their names? What is the effect of this? 

  • Characterize Marin. What is Esperanza's perspective of her? 

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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.
  • 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

Next

Explain how Cisneros develops Esperanza's perspective and contrasts it with other characters in the text.

Lesson 6
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