Esperanza Rising: Comparing Then and Now
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Esperanza Rising: Comparing Then and Now

Grade 5English10 days
In this 5th-grade English project, students read "Esperanza Rising" and compare events from the novel to real-world issues, exploring themes of hope, change, and challenges. They choose a medium—newspaper, poem, recipe book, or poster—to creatively express their understanding and connections between the story and contemporary issues like migrant worker rights and social inequality. Students research historical context and reflect on their learning and creative process, deepening their comprehension of the novel and the world.
Esperanza RisingReal-World ConnectionsCreative ExpressionMigrant WorkersSocial InequalityHistorical ContextReflection
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.In what ways can we creatively connect Esperanza's journey of challenges and change to relevant real-world issues, and how can we use various media to inspire positive action and understanding?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How can we connect Esperanza's experiences to our own lives and the world around us?
  • How do different forms of media (newspapers, poems, recipes, posters) help us understand and share important stories?
  • What are the similarities and differences between Esperanza's challenges and the challenges people face today?
  • How can we use our voices to create positive change in the world, just like Esperanza?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to compare and contrast events from the novel Esperanza Rising to real-world events.
  • Students will be able to express their understanding through a chosen medium (newspaper, poem, recipe book, poster).
  • Students will be able to connect themes of hope, change, and challenges from the novel to contemporary issues.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate creative communication skills through their selected project.

Common Core Standards

RL.5.3
Primary
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.Reason: Directly addresses the comparison of events in the story to real-world events.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Historical Photo Analysis

Present a curated collection of powerful photographs depicting migrant worker camps, social inequalities, and moments of resilience during the Great Depression. Students analyze the images, discuss their emotional impact, and connect them to themes in the novel.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Esperanza's World: Then and Now

Students will identify and document significant events in "Esperanza Rising" that resonate with real-world issues.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read "Esperanza Rising" and highlight key events related to challenges, change, and hope.
2. Research historical and contemporary events that mirror these themes (e.g., migrant worker issues, economic hardship, social inequality).
3. Create a table comparing events from the novel with real-world events, noting similarities and differences.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed comparison table outlining events from the novel and their real-world parallels.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.5.3 - Comparing events in the story to real-world events.
Activity 2

Medium Exploration: Creative Expression Selection

Students will explore the characteristics of newspapers, poems, recipe books, and posters to determine which best suits their comparative analysis.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Examine examples of newspapers, poems about hope, recipe books with a cultural narrative, and change-the-world posters.
2. Analyze the strengths and limitations of each medium in conveying a message.
3. Select a medium and justify its appropriateness for communicating the comparison of events from "Esperanza Rising" to real-world issues.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA chosen medium with a rationale explaining why it is the most effective way to express their understanding.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.5.3 - Expressing understanding through a chosen medium.
Activity 3

Crafting Connections: Project Development

Students will develop their chosen medium to creatively compare events from "Esperanza Rising" to real-world events.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Outline the key events from the novel and the real-world parallels they will present in their chosen medium.
2. Gather specific details and evidence from the text and research to support their comparisons.
3. Create a first draft of their newspaper article, poem, recipe book entry, or poster.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA first draft of the selected medium project (newspaper, poem, recipe, or poster) demonstrating a comparison between events in the novel and real-world events.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.5.3 - Drawing on specific details in the text to compare events.
Activity 4

Refine & Reflect: Final Project

Students will revise, edit, and finalize their projects, adding a reflection piece on the connections they've made.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Revise and edit their project based on feedback, ensuring clarity and accuracy in their comparisons.
2. Add visuals and design elements appropriate to their chosen medium.
3. Write a reflection paragraph explaining what they learned about the connections between Esperanza's experiences and the real world, and how their chosen medium helped them communicate these connections.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA polished final project (newspaper, poem, recipe, or poster) with a reflection paragraph, demonstrating a clear comparison between "Esperanza Rising" and real-world events.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsRL.5.3 - Comparing and contrasting events, drawing on specific details, and reflecting on the connections.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Esperanza Rising: Creative Connections Rubric

Category 1

Understanding & Comparison

Demonstrates comprehension of key events in 'Esperanza Rising' and their connection to real-world issues. The depth and accuracy of the comparison are evaluated.
Criterion 1

Event Identification & Comparison

Identifies significant events from 'Esperanza Rising' and accurately compares them to relevant real-world events.

Exemplary
4 Points

Identifies multiple significant events from the novel and provides insightful and accurate comparisons to complex real-world issues, demonstrating a deep understanding of historical and contemporary contexts.

Proficient
3 Points

Identifies key events from the novel and provides accurate comparisons to relevant real-world events, demonstrating a solid understanding of the connections.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies some events from the novel and attempts to compare them to real-world events, but the connections may be superficial or contain inaccuracies.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify key events from the novel or make relevant comparisons to real-world events, showing a limited understanding of the material.

Category 2

Creative Expression

Effectively communicates the comparison of events through the chosen medium (newspaper, poem, recipe book, or poster). Evaluates the clarity, creativity, and appropriateness of the chosen medium.
Criterion 1

Medium Selection & Execution

Chooses an appropriate medium and effectively uses it to communicate the comparison of events.

Exemplary
4 Points

Masterfully uses the chosen medium to create a compelling and insightful comparison, demonstrating exceptional creativity and a sophisticated understanding of the medium's potential.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively uses the chosen medium to clearly communicate the comparison, demonstrating creativity and a good understanding of the medium's characteristics.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to use the chosen medium to communicate the comparison, but the execution may be unclear or lack creativity.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to use the chosen medium effectively, resulting in a confusing or incomplete presentation of the comparison.

Category 3

Research & Evidence

Supports the comparison with specific details and evidence from both the novel and research on real-world events.
Criterion 1

Use of Details & Evidence

Provides relevant details and evidence from the novel and research to support the comparison of events.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides abundant and compelling evidence from both the novel and research to support the comparison, demonstrating thorough research and a nuanced understanding of the evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides sufficient and relevant evidence from both the novel and research to support the comparison.

Developing
2 Points

Provides some evidence from the novel and/or research, but the evidence may be limited or not directly relevant to the comparison.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides little or no evidence to support the comparison, demonstrating a lack of research or understanding of the need for evidence.

Category 4

Reflection & Insight

Reflects on the connections between Esperanza's experiences and the real world, demonstrating insightful thinking about the themes of hope, change, and challenges.
Criterion 1

Reflective Paragraph

Writes a reflective paragraph explaining what they learned about the connections between Esperanza's experiences and the real world.

Exemplary
4 Points

Writes a thoughtful and insightful reflection that demonstrates a deep understanding of the connections between Esperanza's experiences and the real world, and how the chosen medium enhanced their understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Writes a clear and coherent reflection that explains the connections between Esperanza's experiences and the real world.

Developing
2 Points

Writes a reflection that attempts to connect Esperanza's experiences to the real world, but the explanation may be superficial or lack clarity.

Beginning
1 Points

Writes a reflection that is incomplete or does not adequately address the connections between Esperanza's experiences and the real world.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How did the process of comparing events from "Esperanza Rising" to real-world events deepen your understanding of the novel and the world around you?

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Question 2

What challenges did you encounter while creating your project, and how did you overcome them?

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Question 3

How effective do you believe your chosen medium (newspaper, poem, recipe book, or poster) was in communicating the connections between Esperanza's experiences and real-world issues?

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Question 4

What is one thing you learned about yourself as a creator and communicator through this project?

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