GRADE 5, MODULE 1, UNIT 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Module 5.1 Module Overview
Becoming a Close Reader and Writing to Learn: Stories of Human Rights
See separate stand-alone document on EngageNY

2. Module 5.1: Assessments

See separate stand-alone document on EngageNY

3. Module 5.1: Performance Task

Readers Theater Script and Performance of Scenes from Esperanza Rising
See separate stand-alone document on EngageNY

4. Module 5.1 Unit Overview

Unit 2: Case Study: Esperanza’s Story
5. Module 5.1: Recommended Texts

MODULE 5.1: UNIT 2 LESSONS

A. Lesson 1: Building Background Knowledge: Learning about the Historical and Geographical Setting of Esperanza Rising (Chapter 1: “Aguascalientes,
Mexico, 1924”)
B. Lesson 2: Getting to Know Esperanza (Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes”)
C. Lesson 3: Inferring about Characters Based on How They Respond to Challenges (Chapter 3: “Las Papayas/Papayas”)
D. Lesson 4: Inferring about Characters Based on How They Respond to Challenges (Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs”)
E. Lesson 5: Connecting Informational Text with Literature: Building Background Knowledge about Mexican Immigration, California, and the Great
Depression (Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas”)
F. Lesson 6: Contrasting Two Settings (Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes”)
G. Lesson 7: Point of View: Comparing Esperanza’s and Isabel’s Perspectives about Life in the Camp (Chapter 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions”)
H. Lesson 8: Understanding Themes in Esperanza Rising (Chapter 8: “Las Almendras/Almonds”)
I. Lesson 9: Mid-Unit 2 Assessment and Discussing Themes in Esperanza Rising: (Chapter 9: “Las Ciruelas/Plums”)
J. Lesson 10: Characters Changing Over Time: (Chapter 10: “Las Papas/Potatoes”)
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1, UNIT 2

MODULE 5.1: UNIT 2 LESSONS

K. Lesson 11: Building Background Knowledge: Why do Workers Strike? (Chapter 11: “Los Aguacates/Avocados”)
L. Lesson 12: Contrasting Perspectives: Should the Farmworkers in Esperanza Rising Go on Strike? (Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus”)
M. Lesson 13: Gathering Evidence and Drafting a Two-Voice Poem (Chapter 13: “Los Duraznos/Peaches”)
N. Lesson 14: Writing, Critique, and Revising: Two- Voice Poems (Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes”)
O. Lesson 15: Revisiting Big Metaphors and Themes; Revising and Beginning to Perform Two Voice Poems
P. Lesson 16: Paragraph Writing, Part I: How Esperanza Responds on the Train (revisiting Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas”)
Q. Lesson 17: Paragraph Writing, Part II
R. Lesson 18: End of Unit 2 Assessment: On-Demand Analytical Essay about How Esperanza Changes Over Time

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CASE STUDY: ESPERANZA’S STORY
In this second unit, students will apply their new learning about the book. They will analyze characters’ responses to challenges and will
human rights through a case study of how a fictional character responds analyze how Esperanza changes over time. For the mid-unit assessment,
to human rights challenges. This unit emphasizes the Reading Literature students will independently read and analyze a new chapter in the novel,
strand of the NYSP12 CCLS, with a study of the novel Esperanza Rising focusing on the challenges Esperanza faces, how she responds, and what
by Pam Muñoz Ryan (740L). Students also read informational texts that tells readers about her as a character. In the second half of the
related to the story’s historical context. They will trace the journey of unit, students compare and contrast Esperanza to other characters in
Esperanza, a young girl born into a comfortable life of privilege in the novel, focusing specifically on how various characters respond to the
Mexico in the 1930s who is forced to flee to California and must rise challenges in their work camp and whether or not the migrant workers
above her difficult circumstances. This unit is designed to deliberately should strike. Students will create a two-voice poem contrasting the
build students’ ability to write routinely to learn. Almost daily, they will ways two different characters respond to a similar challenge. They will
write short informational pieces in their reading journals, in which they then write a formal essay in which they analyze how Esperanza changes
record their interpretations of concrete details and quotations from throughout the novel.

Note: This unit presumes that the teacher has carefully read Eperanza Rising in advance. This novel is at a 740 Lexile level; however, it is quite complex on other qualitative
measures of text complexity. See the Literary Text Qualitative Rubric (on EngageNY.org) for more on how to analyze text complexity.

GUIDING QUESTIONS • What are human rights?

AND BIG IDEAS • What lessons can we learn about human rights through literature and life?

• We learn lessons about human rights from the experiences of real people and fictional characters.
• Characters change over time in response to challenges (to their human rights).
• People respond differently to similar events in their lives.
• Authors conduct research and use specific language in order to impact their readers.

MID-UNIT 2 Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own

ASSESSMENT: This on-demand assessment centers on standard NYS ELA CCLS RL.5.2, RL.5.3, and RL.5.4. Students will have read a
chapter of Esperanza Rising for homework, and will demonstrate their ability to analyze and complex text independently.
They will analyze the challenges Esperanza faces and how she responds, citing textual evidence. They will also respond
to questions regarding academic vocabulary and metaphorical language. This is a reading assessment: the purpose is for
students to demonstrate their ability to analyze literature in general, and Chapter 9 of Esperanza Rising specifically. This Mid-
Unit 2 Assessment is not intended to formally assess students’ writing. Most students will write their responses, in which case
it may also be appropriate to assess students on W.5.9. However, if necessary, students may dictate their answers to an adult.
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW

END OF UNIT 2 Analytical Essay about How Esperanza Changes Over Time
ASSESSMENT: This assessment centers on standards NYS ELA CCLS RL.5.2, RL.5.3, and W.5.9. Students will write an essay
in which they explain how Esperanza changes over time. Specifically, they will analyze Esperanza’s growth and
development by comparing how she responds to events earlier and later in the novel. Each student will select the
two or three key events that best support his/her analysis of Esperanza’s growth and development.

CONTENT CONNECTIONS This module is designed to address English Language Arts standards. However, the module intentionally
incorporates Social Studies content that many teachers may be teaching during other parts of the day. These
intentional connections are described below.

NYS SOCIAL STUDIES • The rights of citizens in the United States are similar to and different from the rights of citizens in other nations
CORE CURRICULUM of the Western Hemisphere.
• Constitutions, rules, and laws are developed in democratic societies in order to maintain order, provide security,
and protect individual rights.
• Different people living in the Western Hemisphere may view the same event or issue from different perspectives.
• The migration of groups of people in the United States, Canada, and Latin America has led to cultural diffusion
because people carry their ideas and way of life with them when they move from place to place.
• Connections and exchanges exist between and among the peoples of Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, Canada,
Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. These connections and exchanges include social/cultural,
migration/immigration, and scientific/technological.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW

CENTRAL TEXTS 1. Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising (New York: Scholastic, 2002), ISBN: 978-0439120425.

SECONDARY TEXTS 1. United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Plain Language Version. www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/
humanrights/resources/plain.asp (last accessed August 6, 2012).

ONLINE RESOURCES ON 1. www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/immigration/mexican.html

MEXICAN IMMIGRATION
2. www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicohistory.htm

3. www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/index.html

4. www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/timeline/17.html

RESOURCES ON 1. Katy Duffield, California History for Kids: Missions, Miners, and Moviemakers in the Golden State, For Kids Series (Chicago:
CALIFORNIA, Chicago Review Press, 2012), ISBN: 978-1569765326.
ESPECIALLY THE
2. Pam Muñoz Ryan, Our California, illustrated by Rafael Lopez (Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing, 2008),
CENTRAL VALLEY
ISBN-13: 978-1580891172, ISBN-10: 1580891179. Of special note is the information near the end on the Great
Central Valley.

RESOURCES ON THE 1. newdeal.feri.org/eleanor/er2a.htm: How the Depression affected children

GREAT DEPRESSION
2. newdeal.feri.org/eleanor/cvb0335.htm:A letter to Mrs. Roosevelt from an eleven-year-old girl

3. www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-54463_18670_18793-53511--,00.html: “I remember . . .”: Reminiscences of the

Great Depression: Several stories from people who lived through the Great Depression

4. www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/wwii/jb_wwii_subj.html: The Depression and World War II

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.
General teaching note: Esperanza Rising is a long novel. In Unit 2, students typically read a chapter each day for homework, and discuss key passages in
class. Students may need additional time during other parts of the day to keep up with the reading. Note, however, that in Unit 3 (Readers’ Theater),
students revisit, analyze, and discuss many key passages from Esperanza Rising. Thus, students’ understanding of the text will grow across the six
weeks of Units 2 and 3 combined.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 1 Building • I can summarize a literary text. • I can define historical fiction. • Class discussion
Background (RL.5.2) • I can describe the geographical • Building Background
Knowledge: • I can determine the meaning of literal setting of Esperanza Rising. • Knowledge: I Notice
Learning and figurative language (metaphors and • I can describe the historical and I Wonder sticky
about the similes) in text. (RL.5.4) setting of Esperanza Rising. notes
Historical and • I can determine the main idea(s) of an • Notes from Jigsaw note-
Geographical informational text based on key details. catcher
Setting of (RI.5.5)
Esperanza Rising • I can summarize an informational text.
(Chapter 1: (RI.5.5)
“Aguascalientes,
Mexico, 1924”)
Lesson 2 Getting • I can effectively engage in a discussion • I can discuss answers to • Observe where students
to Know with my peers. (SL.5.1) questions with my triad and place their evidence flags
Esperanza • I can explain what a text says using provide evidence to explain my • Triad discussions
(Chapter 2: “Las quotes from the text. (RL.5.1) ideas.
Uvas/Grapes”) • I can make inferences using quotes • I can answer questions about
from the text. (RL.5.1) the setting of the novel
• I can compare and contrast literary Esperanza Rising based on
elements using details from the text evidence from the text.
(two or more characters’ points of • I can answer questions about
view, settings, events) (RL.5.3) the main character, Esperanza,
• I can determine the meaning of literal based on evidence from the
and figurative language (metaphors and text.
similes) in text. (RL.5.4)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 3 Inferring • I can explain what a text says • I can answer comprehension questions • Comprehension Quiz,
about using quotes from the text. based on text from Esperanza Rising that I Chapter 3: Las Papayas/
Characters (RL.5.1) have read independently. Papayas (entrance ticket)
Based on How • I can make inferences using • I can identify situations in Esperanza • Triad discussions
They Respond quotes from the text. (RL.5.1) Rising where a character’s human rights • Exit Ticket: Independent
to Challenges • I can determine the meaning are challenged. answer to text-
(Chapter 3: of literal and figurative • I can make inferences from the text about dependent question
“Las Papayas/ language (metaphors and Esperanza, Mama, and Abuelita.
Papayas”) similes). (RL.5.4) • I can use context clues to help me
• I can write informative/ determine the meaning of words in
explanatory texts. (W.5.2) Esperanza Rising.
• I can write to explain my thinking about
the characters in Esperanza Rising.
Lesson 4 Inferring • I can explain what a text says • I can answer comprehension questions • Comprehension Quiz,
about using quotes from the text. based on text from Esperanza Rising that I Chapter 4, “Los Higos/
Characters (RL.5.1) have read independently. Figs” (entrance ticket)
Based on How • I can make inferences using • I can identify situations in Esperanza • Anchor charts: Character
They Respond quotes from the text. (RL.5.1) Rising where a character’s human rights T-charts: One (created
to Challenges • I can compare and contrast are challenged. by small groups) about
(Chapter 4: literary elements (two or more • I can make inferences from the text about Mama, Abuelita, Miguel,
“Los Higos/ characters’ points of view, the characters in Esperanza Rising. and a second (from
Figs”) settings, events) using details • I can use context clues to help me individual notes) about
from the text. (RL.5.3) determine the meaning of words in Mama, Abuelita, Miguel,
• I can determine the meaning Esperanza Rising. Esperanza
of literal and figurative • I can write to explain my thinking about • Triad discussions
language (metaphors and the characters in Esperanza Rising. • Exit Ticket: Independent
similes). (RL.5.4) answer to text-
• I can write informative/ dependent question
explanatory texts. (W.5.2)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 5 Connecting • I can use quotes to explain • I can answer comprehension • Comprehension
Informational the meaning of a literary text. questions based on text from Quiz, Chapter 5, “Las
Text with (RL.5.1) Esperanza Rising that I have read Guayabas/Guavas”
Literature: Building • I can determine the main idea(s) independently. (entrance ticket)
Background of an informational text based on • I can summarize the main ideas in an • Getting the Gist note-
Knowledge key details. (RI.5.2) informational text about California in catchers
about Mexican • I can summarize an informational the 1930s. • Exit Ticket:
Immigration, text. (RI.5.2) Independent writing
California, and the answer to text-
Great Depression dependent question
(Chapter 5: “Las
Guayabas/Guavas”)
Lesson 6 Contrasting Two • I can explain what a text says • I can answer comprehension questions • Comprehension
Settings (Chapter using quotes from the text. based on text from Esperanza Rising Quiz, Chapter 6, “Los
6: “Los Melones/ (RL.5.1) that I have read independently. Melones” (entrance
Cantaloupes”) • I can make inferences using • I can discuss answers to questions ticket)
quotes from the text. (RL.5.1) with my triad and provide evidence to • Observe where
• I can compare and contrast explain my ideas. students place their
literary elements (two or more • I can answer questions about the evidence flags
characters’ points of view, setting of the novel Esperanza Rising • Triad discussions
settings, events) using details from based on evidence from the text. • Exit Ticket:
the text. (RL.5.3) • I can answer questions about the Independent answer
• I can determine the meaning of main character, Esperanza, based on to text-dependent
literal and figurative language evidence from the text. question
(metaphors and similes) in text. • I can identify metaphors in Esperanza
(RL.5.4) Rising.
• I can effectively engage in a • I can interpret figurative language in
discussion with my peers. (SL.5.1) Esperanza Rising.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 7 Point of View: • I can compare and contrast • I can answer comprehension questions • Comprehension
Comparing literary elements (two or based on text from Esperanza Rising that I Quiz, Chapter 7, “Las
Esperanza’s more characters’ points of have read independently. Cebollas/Onions”
and Isabel’s view, settings, events) using • I can use context clues to help me • (entrance ticket)
Perspectives details from the text. (RL.5.3) determine why the author chose specific • Observation of
about Life • I can determine the meaning words in Esperanza Rising. placement of evidence
in the Camp of literal and figurative • I can determine what metaphors the flags (homework and
(Chapter 7: language in text. (RL.5.4) symbols of the chapter titles represent in classwork)
“Las Cebollas/ • I can use what the text says Esperanza Rising. • Character T-chart
Onions”) to help me understand the • I can explain how Isabel responds to (Isabel)
meaning of a word or phrase. challenges in her life. • Triad discussion
(L.5.4) • I can describe how the points of view • Exit Ticket: Independent
of Esperanza and Isabel influence the answer to text-
description of events. dependent question
• I can create a visual image of the setting
of Esperanza Rising.
Lesson 8 Understanding • I can determine the meaning • I can interpret two big metaphors in • Comprehension
Themes in of literal and figurative Chapter 8, “Las Almendras” in Esperanza Quiz, Chapter 8, “Las
Esperanza language (metaphors and Rising. Almendras” (entrance
Rising (Chapter similes) in text. (RL.5.4) • I can explain what it means to find the ticket)
8: “Las • I can use quotes to explain theme of a book or story. • Observation of
Almendras/ the meaning of literary texts. • I can identify themes in Esperanza Rising. placement of evidence
Almonds”) (RL.5.1) flags (homework and
• I can determine a theme classwork)
based on details in the text. • Triad discussion
(RL.5.2) • Exit Ticket: Independent
• I can use quotes to support answer to text-
my inferences in literary texts. dependent question
(RL.5.1)
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 7
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 9 Mid-Unit 2 • I can use quotes to explain the • I can use context clues to help me • Mid-Unit 2 Assessment:
Assessment meaning of literary texts. (RL.5.1) determine why the author chose Analyzing Sections of
and Discussing • I can use quotes to support my specific words in Esperanza Rising. Esperanza Rising on My
Themes in inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1) • I can explain how characters respond Own
Esperanza • I can determine the meaning of to challenges in their lives. • Triad/quad discussion
Rising: literal and figurative language • I can describe how the points
(Chapter 9: (metaphors and similes) in text. of view of Esperanza and other
“Las Ciruelas/ (RL.5.4) characters influence the description
Plums”) • I can determine a theme based on of events.
details in the text. (RL.5.2) • I can interpret the “blanket”
• I can compare and contrast literary metaphor in Esperanza Rising.
elements using details from the • I can identify the themes in Esperanza
text (two or more characters’ Rising.
points of view, settings, events).
(RL.5.3)
Lesson 10 Characters • I can explain what a text says using • I can answer comprehension • Comprehension Quiz,
Changing quotes from the text. (RL.5.1) questions based on text from Chapter 10, “Las Papas/
Over Time • I can make inferences using quotes Esperanza Rising that I have read Potatoes” (entrance
(Chapter 10: from the text. (RL.5.1) independently. ticket)
“Las Papas/ • I can compare and contrast • I can make inferences from the • Observe where students
Potatoes”) literary elements (two or more text about Esperanza and Mama in place evidence flags
characters’ points of view, settings, Esperanza Rising. • Triad discussions
events) using details from the text. • I can begin to describe how • Exit Ticket: Independent
(RL.5.3) Esperanza is changing. answer to text-
• I can determine the meaning of • I can interpret big metaphors in dependent question
literal and figurative language Esperanza Rising.
(metaphors and similes). (RL.5.4) • I can identify themes in Esperanza
• I can determine a theme based on Rising.
details in the text. (RL.5.2)
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 8
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 11 Building • I can determine the main idea(s) • I can answer comprehension • Comprehension Quiz,
Background of an informational text based on questions based on text from Chapter 11, “Los
Knowledge: key details. (RI.5.2) Esperanza Rising that I have read Aguacates/Avocados”
Why do • I can summarize an informational independently. (entrance ticket)
Workers text. (RI.5.2) • I can identify examples of human • Triad discussion
Strike? rights that have not been protected • Exit Ticket: On Strike!
(Chapter in Esperanza Rising. note-catcher
11: “Los • I can explain what a strike is.
Aguacates/ • I can explain why workers go on
Avocados”) strike.

Lesson 12 Contrasting • I can explain what a text says using • I can explain why workers go on • Comprehension Quiz,
Perspectives: quotes from the text. (RL.5.1) strike. Chapter 12, “Los
Should the • I can make inferences using quotes • I can make arguments for and Espárragos/Asparagus”
Farmworkers from the text. (RL.5.1) against striking. (entrance ticket)
in Esperanza • I can compare and contrast • I can make inferences from the text • Observe where students
Rising Go literary elements (two or more about the characters in Esperanza place evidence flags
on Strike? characters’ points of view, settings, Rising. • Triad discussion
(Chapter events) using details from the text. • I can write to explain my thinking • Character anchor charts
12: “Los (RL.5.3) about the characters’ perspectives in • Exit Ticket: Independent
Espárragos/ • I can write informative/ Esperanza Rising. answer to text-
Asparagus”) explanatory texts. (W.5.2) dependent question

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 9
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 13 Gathering • I can use quotes to support my • I can answer comprehension questions • Comprehension
Evidence and inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1) based on text from Esperanza Rising that Quiz, Chapter 13,
Drafting a • I can compare and contrast literary I have read independently. “Los Duraznos/
Two-Voice elements (two or more characters’ • I can explain the structure of a two Peaches” (entrance
Poem (Chapter points of view, settings, events) using voice poem. ticket)
13: “Los details from the text. (RL.5.3) • I can compare and contrast Esperanza • Two-Voice Poem
Duraznos/ • I can determine the meaning of literal to another main character in Esperanza graphic organizer
Peaches”) and figurative language (metaphors Rising. (side A completed,
and similes) in text. (RL.5.4) • I can use evidence from Esperanza side B begun)
• I can describe how a narrator’s point Rising that supports my inferences
of view influences the description of about two different characters,
events. (RL.5.6) particularly how the two characters
• I can effectively engage in a discussion respond to challenges.
with my peers. (SL.1) • I can collaborate with peers to plan and
draft a Two-Voice Poem.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 10
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 14 Writing, • I can use the writing • I can answer comprehension questions based • Comprehension
Critique, and process to produce clear on text from Esperanza Rising that I have read Quiz, Chapter 14,
Revising: Two- and coherent writing (with independently. “Las Uvas/Grapes”
Voice Poems support). (W.5.5) • I can contrast how two characters in Esperanza (entrance ticket)
(Chapter 14: Rising respond to challenges, using a Two-Voice • Two-Voice Poems
“Las Uvas/ Poem format. (drafts)
Grapes”) • I can use evidence from Esperanza Rising that
supports my inferences about two different
characters, particularly how the two characters
respond to challenges.
• I can collaborate with peers to plan and draft a
Two-Voice Poem.
• I can give specific feedback that will help other
students make their writing better.
• I can use feedback that I receive from others and
self-reflection to improve my writing.
Lesson 15 Revisiting Big • I can determine the meaning • I can interpret five big metaphors in Esperanza • Observation of
Metaphors of literal and figurative Rising. placement of
and Themes; language (metaphors and • I can explain the themes in Esperanza Rising. evidence flags
Revising and similes) in text. (RL.5.4) • I can perform my Two-Voice Poem. (homework and
Beginning to • I can determine a theme based classwork)
Perform Two on details in the text. (RL.5.2) • Triad discussion/
Voice Poems • I can use quotes to support Chalk Talk
my inferences in literary texts. • Two-Voice Poems
(RL.5.1)
• I can adapt my speech for a
variety of contexts and tasks,
using formal English when
appropriate. (SL.5.6)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 11
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 16 Paragraph • I can use quotes to explain the meaning • I can find evidence in Esperanza Rising • Partner Accordion
Writing, of literary texts. (RL.5.1) that will support my inferences about graphic organizer
Part I: How • I can use quotes to support my how Esperanza changes throughout (for Paragraph 1)
Esperanza inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1) the novel. • Partner Draft
Responds • I can determine a theme based on • I can analyze how Esperanza responds Paragraph
on the Train details in the text. (RL.5.2) to a key event in the novel, and what 1 (partially
(revisiting • I can summarize a literary text. (RL.5.2) this shows about her character. completed)
Chapter • I can compare and contrast literary • I can write an essay in which each
5: “Las elements using details from the text. paragraph has a clear topic sentence, a
Guayabas/ (RL.5.3) body, and a conclusion.
Guavas”) • I can write an informative/explanatory
text. (W.5.2)
• I can use the writing process to produce
clear and coherent writing (with
support). (W.5.5)
Lesson 17 Paragraph • I can use quotes to explain the meaning • I can find evidence in Esperanza • Accordion
Writing, Part II of literary texts. (RL.5.1) Rising that will support my inferences graphic organizer
• I can use quotes to support my inferences about characters from the book. for Paragraph 2
in literary texts. (RL.5.1) • I can analyze how Esperanza (homework)
• I can determine a theme based on details responds to a key event in the novel, • Partner and
in the text. (RL.5.2) and what this shows about her individual
• I can compare and contrast literary character. paragraphs
elements using details from the text. • I can write an essay in which each
(RL.5.3) paragraph has a clear topic sentence,
• I can write an informative/explanatory a body, and a conclusion.
text. (W.5.2)
• I can use the writing process to produce
clear and coherent writing (with support).
(W.5.5)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 12
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW
CALENDARED CURRICULUM MAP: Unit-at-a-Glance
This unit is approximately 3 weeks or 18 sessions of instruction.

LESSON LESSON TITLE LONG-TERM TARGETS SUPPORTING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

Lesson 18 End of Unit • I can use quotes to explain the meaning • I can find evidence in Esperanza Rising • Accordion graphic
2 Assessment: of literary texts. (RL.5.1) that will support my inferences about organizers
On-Demand • I can use quotes to support my characters from the book. • Partner and
Analytical inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1) • I can write an informative/explanatory individual
Essay • I can determine a theme based on three-paragraph essay that analyzes paragraphs
about How details in the text. (RL.5.2) how Esperanza responds to two key • End of Unit 2
Esperanza • I can summarize a literary text. (RL.5.2) events, and compares and contrasts Assessment: On-
Changes Over • I can compare and contrast literary her response to events over time. Demand Analytical
Time elements using details from the text. • I can write an essay in which each Essay about How
(RL.5.3) paragraph has a clear topic sentence, a Esperanza Changes
• I can write an informative/explanatory body, and a conclusion. over Time
text. (W.5.2)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 13
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 OVERVIEW

OPTIONAL: • Experts: Invite a local poet to visit the class and critique students’ Two-Voice Poems.
EXPERTS, FIELDWORK,
AND SERVICE

OPTIONAL: EXTENSIONS • Literature: Invite students to explore children’s picture books that address similar themes to Esperanza Rising.
See Recommended Texts lists: Gleam and Glow, written by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Peter Sylvada;
• Erandi’s Braids, written by Antonio Hernández Madrigal, illustrated by Tomie dePaola;
• Shin-chi’s Canoe, written by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave;
• Amelia’s Road/Camino de Amelia, written by Linda Jacobs Altman, illustrated by Enrique O. Sanchez, translated
into Spanish by Enrique O. Sanchez

• Have students learn more about the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.

• Consider issues of immigration and migrant farm labor in more recent times.
• (See Sarah E. Warren, Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers, illustrated by Robert Casilla (Tarrytown, NY:
Marshall Cavendish, 2012), ISBN 978-0-7614-6107-4 and
• S. Beth Atkin, Voices from the Fields: Children of Migrant Farmworkers Tell Their Stories (New York: Little, Brown,
2000), ISBN-13: 978-0316-056205, ISBN-10: 0316056200.

MUSIC: • With the music teacher, explore traditional music of Mexico; folk music from the 1930s

WORLD LANGUAGES: • Study Spanish vocabulary; Explore Mexican customs and traditions

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 14
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1 RECOMMENDED TEXTS: UNIT 2

In Unit 2, students explore how a fictional character responds to human rights challenges. The novel Esperanza Rising is set
during the Depression, and includes scenes in both the United States and Mexico. The list below includes a wide range of
texts to read about fictional characters facing challenges, as well as informational texts about the Great Depression and the
role of migrant farmworkers. It includes works with a range of Lexile text measures on this topic. This provides appropriate
independent reading for each student to help build content knowledge.
It is imperative that students read a high volume of texts at their reading level to continue to build the academic vocabulary
and fluency that the CCLS demands.
Where possible, materials in languages other than English are also provided. Texts are categorized into three Lexile levels
that correspond to Common Core Bands: below-grade band, within band, and above-grade band. Note, however, that Lexile
measures are just one indicator of text complexity, and teachers must use their professional judgment and consider qualitative
factors as well. For more information, see Appendix 1 of the Common Core State Standards.

Common Core Band Level Text Difficulty Ranges

(As provided in the NYSED Passage Selection Guidelines for Assessing CCSS ELA)
• Grades 2–3: 420–820L
• Grades 4–5: 740–1010L

TITLE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR TEXT TYPE LEXILE MEASURE

Lexile text measures below band level (under 740L)

Meet Kit: An American Girl, 1934 Valerie Tripp (author) Literature 590
Any Small Goodness: A Novel in the
Tony Johnston (author) Literature 600
Barrio
Parvana’s Journey Deborah Ellis (author) Literature 640
Margot Theis Raven (author),
Angels in the Dust Literature 650
Roger Essley (illustrator)
Number the Stars Lois Lowry (author) Literature 670

1
Lexile® is a trademark of MetaMetrics, Inc., and is registered in the United States and abroad. Copyright © 2012 MetaMetrics.
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1 RECOMMENDED TEXTS: UNIT 2

TITLE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR TEXT TYPE LEXILE MEASURE

Lexile text measures within band level (740–1010L)

Journey of Dreams Marge Pellegrino (author) Literature 740

The Mighty Miss Malone Christopher Paul Curtis (author) Literature 750

I Am a Taxi Deborah Ellis (author) Literature 760

Sacred Leaf Deborah Ellis (author) Literature 770
A Thousand Never Evers Shana Burg (author) Literature 830
Jean Fritz (author), Margot
Homesick: My Own Story Literature 860
Tomes (illustrator)
My Name Is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel
Monica Brown (author), Raúl
García Márquez/Me llamo Gabito: la Literature 910
Colón (illustrator)
vida de Gabriel García Márquez
Bud, Not Buddy Christopher Paul Curtis (author) Literature 950
Cat Running Zilpha Keatley Snyder (author) Literature 970
Lexile text measures above band level (over 1010L)
The Great Depression Elaine Landau (author) Informational text 1010
Welcome to Kit’s World, 1934: Growing
Harriet Brown (author) Literature 1060
Up During America’s Great Depression
Children of the Dust Bowl: The True
Jerry Stanley (author) Informational text 1120
Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp
www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/
UNICEF Informational text (Web site) TK
resources.asp

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1 RECOMMENDED TEXTS: UNIT 2

TITLE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR TEXT TYPE LEXILE MEASURE

www.unicef.org/crc/index_30160.html UNICEF Informational text (Web site) TK

For Every Child: The Rights of the Child

Caroline Castle (author) Literature 1050
in Words and Pictures
www.humaneeducation.org/sections/view/
Institute for Humane Education Informational text (Web site) TK
childrens_human_rights

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
SETTING OF ESPERANZA RISING (CHAPTER 1: “AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO, 1924”)

I can summarize a literary text. (RL.5.2)

I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes) in text. (RL.5.4)
I can determine the main idea(s) of an informational text based on key details. (RI.5.5)
I can summarize an informational text. (RI.5.5)

• I can define historical fiction. • Class discussion

• I can describe the geographical setting of Esperanza Rising. • Building Background Knowledge: I Notice and I Wonder sticky
• I can describe the historical setting of Esperanza Rising. notes
• Notes from Jigsaw note catcher

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • Esperanza Rising is a long novel. In Unit 2, students typically read a chapter each day for
A. Engaging the Reader: Read Aloud of Pages homework, and discuss key passages in class. Students may need additional time during
1-3 of Esperanza Rising (10 minutes) other parts of the day to keep up with the reading. Note, however, that in Unit 3 (Readers
2. Work Time Theater), students revisit, analyze, and discuss many key passages from Esperanza Rising.
A. Visualizing the Geographical Setting Thus, students’ understanding of the text will grow across the six weeks of Units 2 and 3
(15 minutes) combined.
B. Jigsaw Protocol: Understanding the • Be aware of students’ home countries or cultural backgrounds in your class. You may have
Historical Setting (30 minutes) students who have lived in Mexico that can contribute a wealth of knowledge.
3. Closing and Assessment • In advance: Prepare folders for the Jigsaw protocol: one folder per group of four
A. Go-Round Oral Debrief (5 minutes) students. Each folder must include one copy of all three of the text excerpts as well as the
accompanying picture references (see supporting materials for excerpts and links to access
associated pictures).
• Review Jigsaw protocol (Appendix 1)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
SETTING OF ESPERANZA RISING (CHAPTER 1: “AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO, 1924”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

support, variety, describe, artifact, • Class set of Esperanza Rising
historical, geographical, setting; • Wall map that shows Mexico, California, and New York
vineyard (1), slopes (1), winding • 7–8 Jigsaw folders (one per triad of students), each with a complete set of texts and pictures described below
(1), gazing (1), thumping (2), (see Teaching Note, above)
resounding (2) • Background texts (three per folder) about Mexico in the 1920s
1. Government and Revolution
2. Neighbor to the North
3. Rich versus Poor
• Web Sites for Accompanying Pictures about Mexico in the 1920s
• Jigsaw note-catcher for Background Knowledge about Mexico
• Chart paper for anchor chart: The Geographical and Historical Setting of Esperanza Rising
• Evidence flags (sticky notes: the smallest available or larger sizes cut into strips), 2 baggies per student (one each
for home and school)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
SETTING OF ESPERANZA RISING (CHAPTER 1: “AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO, 1924”)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Engaging the Reader: Read-Aloud of Pages 1–3 of Esperanza Rising (10 minutes) • Consider providing
• Share the learning target: “I can describe the geographical setting of Esperanza Rising.” Make sure that students nonlinguistic symbols for
understand the words geographical and setting. Ask students to share what they know about Mexico. List their key terms (e.g., a globe for
responses on chart paper or a whiteboard as a list. Tell students that today they will begin to read a new novel titled geographical setting) to be
Esperanza Rising. referred back to throughout
• Explain to students that this novel is historical fiction. Ask students to try to define these terms. Coach as needed, the module. These can
explaining that the story is based on real events, settings, and some real people, but also includes many imagined be posted with learning
events and characters. targets.
• Distribute student’s texts: Esperanza Rising. Ask students to examine the image on the cover. Ask students to • Consider providing the
Think-Pair-Share: “What do you notice?” “What do you wonder?” Spanish-language edition of
• Focus students on the image of the land at the bottom of the cover. Tell them that today, they will begin to get a Esperanza Rising (Esperanza
feel for the setting: the place and time where the events in this novel occur. Renace) for students whose
• Read aloud pages 1 to 3, as students follow along in their own copy. Ask students to turn and talk with a partner: L1 is Spanish. This can
What is this short chapter mostly about? help students understand
materials presented in
English.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
SETTING OF ESPERANZA RISING (CHAPTER 1: “AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO, 1924”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Visualizing the Geographical Setting (15 minutes) • When discussion of
• Ask students to reread the first paragraph on page 1 silently, trying to picture in their minds what it is like where complex content is
Esperanza lives. required, consider
• Ask: “What is it like where Esperanza lives?” Invite students to think, then talk with a partner. partnering an ELL with
• Probe with a series of text-dependent questions: a student who speaks
* What is a vineyard? the same L1. This can
* What are gentle slopes? let students have more
* What might Papa mean when he says, “Our land is alive”? meaningful discussions
• Give each student two baggies of evidence flags: one each for home and school. Tell them that they will practice and clarify points in
using these throughout the unit. Ask them to place an evidence flag titled “Geographical setting: Mexico” on page 1. their L1.
Model as needed.
• Direct students’ attention to the title of Chapter 1: “Aguascalientes, Mexico, 1924.” Ask students if anyone knows
what “Aguascalientes” is. Listen for students to infer that it is a town or region in Mexico. Explain as needed: this is
where Esperanza lives. Ask students if anyone knows what “Aguascalientes” means. See if they can infer, based on the
word roots agua (water) and caliente (hot). Point out to students that there will be many Spanish words and phrases in
this book; they should use their understanding of context clues to try to figure out what these words mean.
• Orient students to the wall map: where is Mexico relative to New York?
• Tell students that they will reread Chapter 1 as one part of their homework, and should continue to focus on details
that help them understand what it is like where Esperanza lives.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
SETTING OF ESPERANZA RISING (CHAPTER 1: “AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO, 1924”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Jigsaw Protocol (30 minutes) • For students needing
• Tell students that in order to understand the setting—both the geographical place and historical time period—of the additional supports,
novel, they will spend a little time today building background knowledge about Mexico. consider providing a
• To do this, they will be using a simple Jigsaw protocol. This protocol allows small groups to engage in an effective, partially filled-in Jigsaw
time-efficient comprehension of a longer text. Students don’t always have to read every page or section of a reading. note-catcher.
The Jigsaw structure lets students divide up the text, become an expert in one section, and hear oral summaries of the • Consider providing
others and still gain an understanding of the material. smaller chunks of text
• Divide students into groups of three and ask the triads to sit together. Give each triad a folder with all materials for (sometimes just a few
the Jigsaw protocol. Distribute the Jigsaw note-catcher for Background Knowledge about Mexico. sentences) for students
• Assign one topic to each member of the triad: who need additional
1. Government and Revolution support. Teachers can
2. Neighbor to the North check in on students’
3. Rich versus Poor thinking as they write or
• Be sure that students also see the accompanying pictures. speak about their text.
• Tell students that they will each read about one topic, and then will share with the other members of their triad. • For students needing
Reassure them that they are not expected to understand everything about their excerpt or pictures. The goal is simply additional supports,
to begin to build basic background knowledge about Mexico. They will keep learning more throughout this unit. check in to assure they
• Jigsaw, Part 1: have some key points to
• Give students 15 minutes to independently read their assigned topic, review the pictures, and take notes about their share in the summary.
assigned topic on their Jigsaw note-catcher. (Be sure the class understands that during Part 1 of the Jigsaw, each
student will be reading and taking notes on a DIFFERENT topic from the other two members in their triad.) Have
students look for key points and new information as they read their section and examine accompanying pictures.
Students should record their learning on the Jigsaw note-catcher.
• Jigsaw, Part 2:
• Still in triads, ask students to now take 10 minutes to share with each other what they learned. Each member in turn
shares the important points and summary from the pictures and text she/he read. As each group member shares, the
other students in the group take notes.
• Listen in for patterns during students’ comments, to bring up whole group during the debrief.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
SETTING OF ESPERANZA RISING (CHAPTER 1: “AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO, 1924”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Debrief: Go-Round (5 minutes) • When ELLs are asked
• Ask students to consider what they know about Mexico and anything they might already know about the novel to produce language,
Esperanza Rising. consider providing
• Reread aloud the learning targets: “I can describe the geographical setting of Esperanza Rising. I can describe the a sentence frame or
historical setting of Esperanza Rising.” Then ask students to share their ideas in a go-round. Go in a relatively fast-paced starter, or a cloze
and structured manner (e.g., down rows, around tables), allowing as many students as possible to share their idea in 15 sentence to assist with
seconds or less. Once students start to repeat ideas, have them point out similarities in responses using sentence frames language production and
such as: “My idea is similar to/related to . . .” Record these ideas on an anchor chart called The Geographical and the structure required.
Historical Setting of Esperanza Rising. Save this anchor chart to refer back to in future lessons.
• Explain to students the homework routine for this novel. They will do a “first draft” reading of a new chapter each
night. They will always be given a purpose for reading: a question to think about as they read. They should keep track
of their thinking with evidence flags (sticky notes). They will practice this each day, but the basic idea is to mark
passages that relate to the homework question. They do NOT need to write out answers to the homework question;
they will often write about this question in class the next day, or discuss their evidence flags in small groups.
• Tell students that they will practice using evidence flags throughout the unit, and they will get better at finding and
citing evidence over time. For homework tonight, they should just “have a go” trying to mark evidence that relates to
the homework questions.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• This homework has two parts. • Consider providing
• Reread Chapter 1: “Aguascalientes, Mexico, 1924.” Use the questions from the Purpose for Reading, Chapter 1 students who need
homework to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific areas in the book that support your answer. additional support
• Then do a “first draft” read of Chapter 2. What is this chapter mostly about? audio recordings of
text which can aid
Teaching Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the day or in comprehension.
first thing in the morning. All students should come to expect that they will use some of the “slushy time” during the day—right before or after Students can pause
lunch, during down time between other tasks, as they enter the classroom in the morning or just before dismissal, as time for reading the novel or and replay confusing
independent reading. In addition, students likely to need additional support should preread this novel with support during intervention or other portions while they
support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods rereading and focusing on evidence. follow along with the
text.
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
Jigsaw Note-catcher for Background Texts about Mexico

Section Key Points Questions

Mexico:
Government
and Revolution

Mexico:
Neighbor to
the North

Mexico: Rich
versus Poor

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
Background Texts about Mexico in the 1920s
Created by Expeditionary Learning for Instructional Purposes

1. Mexico: Government and Revolution

From the years 1846 to 1911, Mexico was ruled by a dictator named Porfirio Díaz. In 1910, the poor and
working-class people of Mexico rebelled against the wealthy landowners and Díaz. This was called the Mexican
Revolution. Workers fought for many reasons. They wanted fair pay, equal rights, and to have better opportu-
nities for their families. The Mexican Revolution was a long and deadly war for the Mexican people. But the
outcome changed much in their society. For example, the Mexican Constitution was written during this period,
in 1917. This constitution outlined the rules that the government must follow. It also gave all people of Mexico
rights, regardless of whether they were workers or landowners.

2. Mexico: Neighbor to the North

During the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), Mexico lost nearly half its territory to the U.S. Within two
years, the United States had captured Mexico City and won the war. Mexico was forced to sell its northern ter-
ritories, including Texas and what are now the states of California, Arizona, and New Mexico, to the U.S. for
only eighteen million dollars. This was a very low price to pay for the amount of rich land the United States was
getting from Mexico. Because of this, the U.S. and Mexico had very bad relations for many years after the war.

3. Mexico: Rich versus Poor

Throughout Mexico’s history, there have been small villages in the countryside. For generations families have
lived and worked on the farms that surrounded these villages. The families who worked the land did not own
any part of the farms. This meant that they did not make very much money, because they are paid low wages to
work for the landowners. In fact more than 70 percent of Mexico’s population in the 1920s was extremely poor.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
Web Sites for Accompanying Pictures about Mexico in the 1920s
(Teacher Resource: Select images in advance and put a complete set of pictures in each Jigsaw folder.)

Mexico: Government and Revolution Links

• General links via Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?q=Mexico%20revolution&st=gallery
• Portrait of Porfirio Díaz: www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3a23261/
• Images of Mexico during the Carranza revolution against Huerta’s government (LOT 9563-16)
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?q=LOT%209563-16&fi=number&op=PHRASE&va=exact&co!=coll&s
g=true&st=gallery
• El Presidente Álvaro Obregón: http://www.emersonkent.com/history/timelines/mexican_revolution_time-
line_1920.htm -
• “Rebel Soldiers, Chihuahua, Mexico,” 1910–1920s:
http://www.emersonkent.com/wars_and_battles_in_history/mexican_revolution.htm
• Diego Rivera, The Uprising (El levantamiento, 1931)—mural depicting historical class struggles in Mexico:
http://a-place-called-space.blogspot.com/2012/05/diego-rivera-murals-for-museum-of.html

Mexico: Neighbor to the North Links

• General images from Library of Congress: www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?q=Mexico%201846
• United States Army soldiers and Mexican soldiers guarding the international border (International Street) at
Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, during the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920):
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c3/Nogales_Arizona_1910-1920.jpg
• U.S. troops guarding the United States/Mexico border in Naco, Arizona (1910–1929):
http://www.nps.gov/seac/naco/report/fig-a4.jpg
• US and Mexico State Line (1915)
• Getty Research Library:
http://archives.getty.edu:30008/getty_images/digitalresources/mexico/jpegs/mex202.jpg

Mexico: Rich versus Poor

• Newsboys sleep in the street, Mexico City, 1923:
http://harvestheart.tumblr.com/post/29796965131
• Picture of working family in Mexico, 1913:
http://runyon.lib.utexas.edu/r/RUN00000/RUN00000/RUN00048.JPG
• [Use with credit line] From the Robert Runyon Photograph Collection [image number 00048], courtesy of The
Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
• Diego Rivera, Sugar Plantation (Plantacíon de cañas de azúcar, 1931)—mural depicting land owner and workers
(1920s Mexico): http://www.abcgallery.com/R/rivera/rivera139.html
• Diego Rivera, The Exploiters (Los explotadores, 1926)—depicts unequal relationship between Mexican field workers
and wealthy landowners: http://www.diego-rivera-foundation.org/The-Exploiters-1926-large.html
• “Typical Mexican Home and Family” pre-1920 (postcard):
http://www.playle.com/listing.php?i=JOLIZ10503&PHPSESSID=a
• “Mexican Family Cooking Food Outdoors on Ground by Train Tracks” circa 1920: http://theoldcollector.com/
Mexican-Family-Cooking-Food-Outdoors-on-Ground-by-Train-Tracks-ca.-1920-P2150761.aspx

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
Text Resources

• R. Conrad Stein, Mexico: Enchantment of the World (Danbury: CT: Children’s Press, 2007);
ISBN: 978-0-516-24868-4
• Susan Milord, Mexico: 40 Activities to Experience Mexico Past & Present (Nashville, TN: Williamson Books, 1999);
ISBN: 978-1-885593-22-1

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 1
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Chapter 1:
“Aguascalientes, Mexico, 1924” and Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes” (pages 1–22).

Reread Chapter 1 and do a “first draft” read of Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes.”

As you read, think about these questions. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
discuss with your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track
of your thinking with your evidence flags.

1. Describe the geographical setting of Esperanza Rising. What is it like where Esperanza lives? Use de-
tails from the text to support your answer.

2. What is Esperanza’s relationship with her papa like? How do you know?

3. What is Esperanza’s life like in Mexico?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
GETTING TO KNOW ESPERANZA (CHAPTER 2: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can effectively engage in a discussion with my peers. (SL.5.1)
I can explain what a text says using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can make inferences using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text (two or more characters’ points of view, settings, events). (RL.5.3)
I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes) in text. (RL.5.4)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can discuss answers to questions with my triad and provide evidence to explain my ideas. • Observe where students place
• I can answer questions about the setting of the novel Esperanza Rising based on evidence from the text. their evidence flags
• I can answer questions about the main character, Esperanza, based on evidence from the text. • Triad discussions

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Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
GETTING TO KNOW ESPERANZA (CHAPTER 2: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance: Create anchor chart: Norms for Triad Talk (see supporting materials)
A. Introduction of Triad • Esperanza Rising is a long novel. In Unit 2, students typically read a chapter each day for homework, and discuss
Structure (5 minutes) key passages in class. Students may need additional time during other parts of the day to keep up with the
2. Work Time reading. Note, however, that in Unit 3 (“Readers Theater”), students revisit, analyze, and discuss many key
A. Triad Discussion: passages from Esperanza Rising. Thus, students’ understanding of the text will grow across the six weeks of Units
Setting and Character 2 and 3 combined.
in Chapter 1 • The lessons in this unit follow a predictable pattern. Help students start noticing this pattern. They will do
(10 minutes) a “first draft” read of a new chapter for homework each night. They are not expected to fully understand
B. Read-Aloud, everything at that point. In class, they will analyze key aspects of the chapter they read for homework (often by
Independent Reading, answering a series of text- dependent questions). They do this work with teacher support, either whole group, in
and Text-Dependent triads or on their own. Often, they will revisit key passages from a given chapter in future lessons as well.
Questions: Pages • Beginning in Lesson 3, each lesson opens with a brief quiz that holds them more individually accountable for
4–8 (20 minutes) their homework reading. In this lesson, students simply revisit their homework reading with their triads.
C. Guided Practice: Triad • In advance: Read Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes” and review the text- dependent questions (see supporting
Work (10 minutes) materials). Two copies of the questions are provided—a blank to display for students, and one with answers for
teacher reference.
D. Answering Questions
• This lesson introduces a new small group structure: Triad Talk. These reading and discussion groups will be used
in Triads (10 minutes)
throughout the study of Esperanza Rising
3. Closing and Assessment
• Be strategic in your grouping. If you have a few struggling readers in your class, put them in a group together
A. Debrief: Reading
so that you can more directly support them while allowing other students to be more independent. If you have
Esperanza Rising
many struggling readers, place them in groups with stronger readers but carefully monitor that they are reading
anchor chart and contributing. Your ELLs may benefit from being in a group with others who speak their native language.
(5 minutes) • Note that for this lesson, students are told the page number where answers to the text-dependent questions can
be found. This information is provided as a scaffold and a model, so students learn to reference page numbers
when citing evidence.
• Students may not have time to answer all 5 text-dependent questions; Question 5 is revisited in Lesson 3.
• Throughout the novel, the author uses Spanish words to convey important aspects of Esperanza’s experience. If
you have Spanish speakers in your class, tap their expertise. But emphasize to all students that they should be able
to infer all the Spanish words from context. This is a useful opportunity to continue to practice and reinforce this
important reading strategy.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
GETTING TO KNOW ESPERANZA (CHAPTER 2: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

setting, character, historical fiction, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
triad, adored, vicious, premonition, cautiously, • Document projector or interactive whiteboard
superstition, bandits, resentment, sympathetic, • Colored markers (approx. 9) so every team of three has a unique color. Each team should
distinguished, capricious, propriety, crochet, use the same color as the day before.
lopsided, property, stubbornly, self-importance, • (sticky notes: the smallest size available or larger sizes cut into strips). Give each student two
beacon, tormented baggies of evidence flags: one for home and one for school.
• Norms for Triad Talk (see supporting materials; create an anchor chart)
• Anchor chart: Close Readers Do These Things (from Unit 1)
• Chart paper for new anchor chart: Reading Esperanza Rising

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Introduction of Triad Structure (5 minutes) • Some students may be
• Review the learning target: “I can discuss answers to questions with my triad and provide evidence to explain my unfamiliar with academic
ideas,” and let students know they will be working on this novel in triads, or groups of three. Place students in vocabulary words (e.g.,
their triads and review with them the anchor chart for Norms for Triad Talk. If there’s time, model some of the discuss, provide, explain,
expected behaviors with a student helper. ideas, evidence). Clarify
vocabulary with students as
needed.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
GETTING TO KNOW ESPERANZA (CHAPTER 2: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Triad Discussion: Setting and Character in Chapter 1 (10 minutes) • Many students benefit
• Choose two students to read the learning targets aloud: “I can answer questions about the setting of the novel from actual visuals
Esperanza Rising based on evidence from the text.” of concepts, such as
• “I can answer questions about the main character, Esperanza, based on evidence from the text.” What do they notice? visualizing. A drawing of
Briefly review the terms setting (from Lesson 1) and character to support students in understanding the targets. Remind the outline of a head in
the class that Esperanza Rising is historical fiction: the author draws upon real events, settings, and some real people, but profile with little pictures
also made up many events and characters. and questions inside is
• Remind the students of what they learned about yesterday (Mexico, the Mexican Revolution, social unrest), and ask one way to show this.
them to turn and tell a neighbor where Esperanza Rising takes place (the setting: Aguascalientes, Mexico) and what • Some students may
characters have been introduced so far (Esperanza and her papa). benefit from having the
• Ask students, in their triads, to discuss the two questions they were given to focus on for their homework rereading of teacher create this note-
Chapter 1: “Aguascalientes, Mexico, 1924.” catcher for them.
* Describe the geographical setting of Esperanza Rising. What is it like where Esperanza lives? Use details from the text • Writing and displaying
to support your answer. the guidelines for all
* What is Esperanza’s relationship with her papa like? How do you know? students to see will help
• Use this opportunity to circulate and listen in to gauge who did the homework reading, how well students understand those who struggle with
the reading, and how students are beginning to collaborate in their triads. multistep directions.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
GETTING TO KNOW ESPERANZA (CHAPTER 2: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Read aloud, Independent Reading, and Text-Dependent Questions: Pages 4–8 (20 minutes) • Students whose first
• Check to see that everyone in the class has their text: Esperanza Rising. Make sure each students has his/her baggie language is not Spanish
of evidence flags. Remind everybody that they will be using these sticky notes throughout the novel to help them may have questions
keep track of important passages. about Spanish words.
• Tell students that they did a “first draft” read of Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes” for their homework. Point out that Consider defining these
this novel is challenging, and that they will often need to read sections multiple times in order to understand the ideas words in the Think
in the text. Explain to students that the most important thing to do while reading is to think! Say: “As we read this Aloud.
book, we are going to be thinking a lot about the characters—what they are like, the challenges they face (including • To assist with
human rights)—and how they change over time.” comprehension,
• Read aloud page 4 through the top of page 6 (“Harvest!”), as students follow along. provide ELLs with
• Invite students to think, then talk briefly with their triad, about what these first few pages of Chapter 2 are mostly bilingual word-for-word
about. Listen for students to notice the chapter title “Las Uvas/Grapes.” If necessary, point out how chapter titles in a translation dictionaries or
novel provide a signal to a reader about the main ideas or events in a given chapter. online translation sources
• Using your document camera or by placing the questions on the board, display just question 1 from the Text- such as Google Translate
Dependent Questions for Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes” (see supporting materials). or Bing Translate.
• Give students five minutes on their own to reread through the break on page 8. (Note that this is the third time they • For students who
have read pages 4-6). Remind them that rereading is an important strategy to help them make sense of difficult text. struggle with this task,
Ask them to keep Question 1 in mind as they read. provide a partially filled-
• Ask students to use the Triad Talk anchor chart to remind themselves about how to talk to each other while in graphic organizer.
developing the answer to the question in their triad. Each person should mark the evidence in the book that supports • Consider allowing
their group’s answer by placing an evidence flag on the specific information that supports their answer. students to draw their
• Ask a few groups to report out their answer and their evidence. If necessary, model by adding additional evidence to observations, ideas, or
clarify and further support what students are saying. notes when appropriate.
• Praise groups using Triad Talk well. Tell students that they will be working in these groups each day, and remind them
how discussing their thinking with others can help them understand hard text.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
GETTING TO KNOW ESPERANZA (CHAPTER 2: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Guided Practice: Triad Work (10 minutes)
• Show the students the second text-dependent question. Tell them to listen for and mark evidence that answers
the question as you read aloud. Continue to read aloud from the middle of page 8, with students following along.
Stop at the break in the middle of page 12, and ask students to discuss their answers to Question 2 with their triad,
rereading the pages if necessary. Again, follow the process of having some triads report out their answers to the class,
augmenting the students’ responses with evidence from the text if necessary.

D. Answering Questions in Triads (10 minutes)

• Note: Students may not have time to answer all three of the remaining text-dependent questions; Question 5 (about
Papa’s death) is revisited in Lesson 3.
• In triads, students should read aloud one text-dependent question at a time, and clarify any terms. They should then
think on their own, then talk together to answer the question, marking their answers with evidence flags. They do not
need to write answers to the questions at this point.
• Students should then repeat this cycle for the next question.
• As students work, monitor this discussion, making sure all students are participating. Reinforce students who are
following the Triad Talk norms well.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
GETTING TO KNOW ESPERANZA (CHAPTER 2: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Anchor Chart: Reading Esperanza Rising (5 minutes) • Debriefing about what
• Ask a student to reread out loud the learning targets (either in their triads or chorally). Remind the class members that they have learned and
this is what they worked on today. the protocols used will
• Tell students that in order to really understand what the author is writing about we must read the text carefully, such help students monitor
as when reading informational text closely. Remind the class about reading the UDHR closely, pointing out the list on their own reading
the anchor chart from Unit 1, Close Readers Do These Things. comprehension and
• Begin a new anchor chart, Reading Esperanza Rising. Write underneath that heading: MAKING INFERENCES choose strategies that
ABOUT ESPERANZA’S CHARACTER, which is what they did today. Tell them they will continue to add to this will help them succeed.
chart as they read this novel.
• Remind students of the homework routine. They are expected to do a “first draft” read of a new chapter, using the
Purpose for Reading homework to focus their attention on this question. They should use their evidence flags
to mark passages that relate to the question. They are not expected to fully understand the chapter, but should give it
their best shot.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 3: “Las Papayas/Papayas” (pages 23–28). Use the question from the Purpose for Reading, Chapter • Consider allowing
3 homework,to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific areas in the book that support your students to draw their
answer. observations, ideas, or
notes when appropriate.
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the day or first • Audio recordings of text
thing in the morning. All students should come to expect that they will use some of the “slushy time” during the day—right before or after can aid some students in
lunch, during down time between other tasks, as they enter the classroom in the morning or just before dismissal, as time for reading the novel comprehension. Students
or independent reading. In addition, students likely to need additional support should preread this novel with support during intervention or can pause and replay
other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods re-reading and focusing on evidence. confusing portions while
they follow along with
the text.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 7
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
Norms for Triad Talk

Teacher Instructions: write the following instructions on a chart paper so all students can see it
for the remainder of the unit.

Norms for Triad Talk:

• Each person must contribute to the discussion, but take turns talking. Ask each other,
“Would you like to add to my idea?” or “Can you tell us what you’re thinking?

• Each person should show the others specific details from the text by pointing to specific
page numbers, paragraphs, and lines. Say, “My evidence is here on page ___ in the ___
paragraph” and read the evidence aloud.

• Ask questions so that you understand each other’s ideas. Say, “can you tell me more about
that?” or “Can you say that another way?”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 2: Las Uvas/Grapes (pages 4-22)

1. The first paragraph on page 8 says that Esperanza would like to live at El
Rancho de las Rosas with her Mama and Papa forever. Why does she feel this
way? Find details from the text to explain your answer.

2. On pages 8-12, Esperanza and Mama seem to be worried about Papa. What
specific words or phrases in this section of the novel help you know that they
are worried? Why are they worried? Use evidence from the text in your an-
swer.

3. On pages 14-15, what two pieces of advice does Abuelita give Esperanza on
pages 14 and 15? How does Esperanza respond to the advice? Use evidence
from the text in your answer.

4. On page 18, Esperanza says that a “deep river” runs between her and Miguel.
What does she mean? How does Miguel respond when she tells him this?
Use details from the text in your answer.

5. At the end of the chapter, why does Esperanza feel her heart drop and that
she has sunk into a “dark hole of despair and disbelief ”? Use details from
the text in your answer.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

1. The first paragraph on page 8 says that Esperanza would like to live at El Rancho de las Rosas with her
Mama and Papa forever. Why does she feel this way? Find details from the text to explain your answer.

Esperanza is the only child of a wealthy rancher, and her father’s “pride and glory.” (p. 4). Her family employs many
servants and farmworkers. She is very happy to live with her parents, and is mostly thinking about her upcoming
birthday party and eventual Quinceaneras. She “can’t imagine living “with any fewer servants. Or without being
surrounded by the people who adored her.” (p. 8)

2. On pages 8-12, Esperanza and Mama seem to be worried about Papa. How do you know they are wor-
ried? Why are they worried? Use evidence from the text in your answer.

How do you know: Esperanza shows she is worried when she says that Papa had promised to meet her and never
disappointed her, but he isn’t there (p.8). Then she worries that pricking her finger is bad luck, and asks “where was
Papa?” (p. 9). On page 10 she “strained her eyes” looking for him. Mama bites the corner of her lip in worry (p. 11)
Why they are worried: On page, 11, it says they have been warned about bandits. And even though the Revolution
has been over for 10 years, “there is still resentment against large landowners,” (p. 12)

3. On pages 14-15, what two pieces of advice does Abuelita give Esperanza? How does Esperanza respond
to the advice? Use evidence from the text in your answer.

1. “There is no rose without thorns” – Esperanza seems to understand and accept this advice, because she smiles
and says that “Abuelita wasn’t talking about flowers at all but that there was no life without difficulties.” (p.14)
2. “Do not be afraid to start over.” - Esperanza accepts this advice, because she does start her stitches over again,
but she sighs, which implies she is impatient with it. (p.15). She also complains on page 13 that she doesn’t like to
always crochet to take her mind off worry.

4. On page 18, Esperanza says that a “deep river” runs between her and Miguel. What does she mean? How
does Miguel respond when she tells him this? Use details from the text in your answer.

She is talking about the class issues that divide them, because she is a ranch owner’s daughter and he is a housekeep-
er’s son. Also, they are Indians and she is of Spanish descent. Miguel seems to be angry or hurt, since he doesn’t
speak to her anymore (p. 18).

5. At the end of the chapter, why does Esperanza feel her heart drop and that she has sunk into a “dark
hole of despair and disbelief ”? Use details from the text in your answer.

She has just learned that her Papa is dead. This isn’t said, but she sees his body in the back of the wagon covered
with a blanket, and Alfonso is crying, which “confirms the worst.” (p. 22)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 2
Homework: Purpose For Reading, Chapter 3: “Las Papayas/Papayas” (pages 23-28)

What challenges do the main characters in this chapter face?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text
to discuss with your triad. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to discuss with
your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track of your
thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 3
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 3: “LAS PAPAYAS/PAPAYAS”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can explain what a text says using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can make inferences using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes). (RL.5.4)
I can write informative/explanatory texts. (W.5.2)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza Rising that I have read • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter
independently. 3: “Las Papayas/Papayas”
• I can identify situations in Esperanza Rising where a character’s human rights are challenged. (entrance ticket)
• I can make inferences from the text about Esperanza, Mama, and Abuelita. • Triad discussions
• I can use context clues to help me determine the meaning of words in Esperanza Rising. • Exit Ticket: Independent
• I can write to explain my thinking about the characters in Esperanza Rising. answer to text-dependent
question

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 3
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 3: “LAS PAPAYAS/PAPAYAS”)

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance: Read Chapter 3 and review the text dependent questions (see supporting
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, materials). Two copies of the questions are provided: a blank to display for students, and one
Chapter 3: ‘Las Papayas/Papayas” with answers for teacher reference.
(5 minutes) • This lesson draws directly on the knowledge students built during Unit 1 about human rights.
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Students revisit this topic in future lessons, so the discussion in Part B of Work Time is
Review (5 minutes) intentionally brief. Be sure to have the Unit 1 anchor charts on specific articles of the UDHR
2. Work Time available where students can see them, to jog their memory. Also be sure students have their
A. Revisiting Papa’s Death: Close Reading of UDHR note-catchers.
Pages 22–23 (15 minutes) • This lesson introduces a new routine: an Entrance Ticket comprehension quiz, intended to
B. Challenges to Human Rights in Chapters 2 check if students have done their reading.
and 3 (10 minutes) • Note that for the text-dependent questions, students are told some of the page numbers
C. How Characters Respond to Challenges: where the answers can be found. This scaffolding will gradually be removed as students
Answering Questions in Triads progress through the novel.
(15 minutes) • Students may not have time to answer all text-dependent questions; remind them that it is
3. Closing and Assessment most important for them to discuss each question thoroughly and cite evidence. Students will
revisit the character analysis (begun in Lesson 3) during Lesson 4 as well.
A. Independent Answer (5 minutes)
• Based on how groups functioned on the first day of reading the novel, you might modify
B. Debrief (5 minutes)
groups at this time.
• This lesson reintroduces a pattern of analysis that students were first exposed to in Unit 1,
when they analyzed the firsthand accounts of human rights violations. Throughout their
study of Esperanza, students will consider the challenges characters face (including but not
limited to human rights challenges), how the characters respond, and how the characters’
response helps us understand that character and the themes of the novel.
• Review Think-Pair-Share, Write-Pair-Share, and Cold-Call protocols (Appendix 1)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 3
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 3: “LAS PAPAYAS/PAPAYAS”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

independently, identify, comprehension, challenge, • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 3: Entrance ticket (below)
infer, inference, quotes, inferential, denial of • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
property, human rights, discriminatory, anguish, • UDHR note-catcher (students’ completed copies, from Unit 1)
smothered (23), composure, indignation • UDHR articles anchor charts (from Unit 1)— ideal, but not essential
• Evidence flags (sticky notes: the smallest size available or larger sizes cut into strips)—2
baggies per student (one each for home and school)
• Text-dependent questions for Chapter 3: “Las Papayas/Papayas”
• Chart paper for Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising anchor chart
• Anchor chart: Norms for Triad Talk (from Lesson 2)
• Chart paper for Inferring by Using Text Clues anchor chart
• Markers
• Student journals
• Index cards or half-sheets of paper

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 3: “Las Papayas/Papayas” (5 minutes) • Consider posting
• Remind students to sit with their triads throughout their study of the novel. nonlinguistic symbols
• Introduce the new routine of the comprehension quiz entrance ticket by reviewing the first learning target. Clarify to assist ELLs in
the meaning of the words comprehension and independently. Explain that this quiz will be a daily practice as we move comprehension and making
through Esperanza Rising, designed to assess whether students read and understood the text assigned for homework. connections.
• Remind students that their homework reading is a “first draft” read; they are not expected to understand everything.
But it is important that they feel accountable for the reading, practice reading on their own, and try their best.
• Distribute the quiz, and give students five minutes to complete it. Collect students’ work to review and/or assess.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 3
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 3: “LAS PAPAYAS/PAPAYAS”)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) • Some students may be
• Note: keep this review short. Students analyze the chapter in more detail throughout the lesson. unfamiliar with academic
• After the quiz, lead the class in a brief whole class review session, cold calling students to elicit a summary of the vocabulary words (e.g.,
chapter that was read for homework. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What was this chapter mostly comprehension, situation,
about?” and “What happened in this chapter?” Encourage students to cite evidence or point to specific passages. challenged, identify,
Note which students are able to answer the questions, and the quality of the answers. explain). Clarify vocabulary
• Then ask the last question from the quiz again: with students as needed.
* “At the start of Chapter 3, what does Esperanza dream about?” • Posting points of class
• Be sure students understand that she dreams Papa is still alive. This will serve as the transition to the next section of discussions assists ELLs in
the lesson. comprehension.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 3
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 3: “LAS PAPAYAS/PAPAYAS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Revisiting Papa’s Death: Close Reading of Pages 22–23 (15 minutes) • Increase interactions
• Remind students of the text-dependent questions they discussed about Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes.” Point out that with vocabulary in
many of them may not have had time to fully discuss the fifth question: context. This increases
* “At the end of the chapter, why does Esperanza feel her heart drop and that she has sunk into a ‘dark hole of despair the rate of ELL
and disbelief ’?” vocabulary acquisition
• Ask students to talk in their triads briefly to remind each other what happened at the end of Chapter 2. • ELL language acquisition
• Probe with a series of text-dependent questions: is facilitated by
* Did Esperanza really sink into a hole? interacting with native
* What does the word despair mean? Why does Esperanza feel despair? speakers of English
• If students do not mention the word grief, offer it this vocabulary term as a precise way to describe Esperanza’s who provide models of
experience: deep, deep sadness. language.
• Direct students to Chapter 3, the final two sentences on page 23, and ask:
* “What are ‘the events of last night’?”
* “Based on context clues, what might the word wrenched mean?”
* The author says: “Her smile faded, her chest tightened, and a heavy blanket of anguish smothered her smallest joy.”
What might anguish mean? Is she really wearing a blanket?”
• Point out to students that the author is using language in very interesting ways to help readers understand what
Esperanza is feeling. They will explore this in more depth in future lessons.
• Point out that the author never directly tells readers that Papa died. Ask:
* “How were you able to figure out what happened?”
• Begin an anchor chart Inferring by Using Text Clues with a drawing of a stick figure with a thought bubble that
says: “The text says … so I infer that . . .” On this chart, add several of students’ examples about how they inferred
that Papa died.
• Ask students to add an evidence flag to the opening of Chapter 3: “Las Papayas,” with the phrase “Esperanza
grieving.” (This early modeling of how to summarize a chapter in a phrase will help students begin to keep track of the
main events. In future lessons, students will begin to write their own evidence flags to summarize the chapter.)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 3
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 3: “LAS PAPAYAS/PAPAYAS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Challenges to Human Rights in Chapters 2 and 3 (15 minutes)
• Read aloud the learning target: “I can identify situations in Esperanza Rising where a character’s human rights are
challenged.” Review the meaning of the word challenged in this context (tested or violated), which students should recall
from their study of the UDHR during Unit 1.
• Ask students to talk in their triads about the human rights they remember from their study of the UDHR. Direct them
to their completed UDHR note-catcher and UDHR anchor charts (from Unit 1). Give students a few minutes to
skim these documents, with which they should be quite familiar. Invite a few triads to share out some of the human
rights named in the UDHR and the nicknames students gave those rights during Unit 1.
• Still in triads, ask students to share where they placed their evidence flags as they read Chapter 3: “Las Papayas” (for
homework).
* “What challenges did the characters in this chapter face?”
* “Where are there examples specifically of human rights challenges?”
• If necessary, scaffold the students’ learning by asking them if they can find some of the following examples:
* A challenge to the right to life, liberty, and personal security (the murder of Esperanza’s father, p. 24)
* The discriminatory treatment of Indians compared to people of Spanish descent (pp. 12, 15–18)
* The denial of property rights to women (p. 30).
• Start an anchor chart titled Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising to use throughout the novel as
students find more examples.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 3
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 3: “LAS PAPAYAS/PAPAYAS”)

C. How Characters Respond to Challenges: Answering Questions in Triads (15 minutes) • Consider writing and
• Review the anchor chart: Norms for Triad Talk (from Lesson 2). Have students remain in triads, but gather students’ displaying steps for
attention whole group. Read aloud the learning target: “I can make inferences from the text about the characters in multistep directions.
Esperanza Rising.” Remind them that earlier in this lesson, they began an anchor chart and talked about how they were ELLs can return to steps
able to make an inference that Papa died even though the author didn’t say it directly. to make sure they are on
• Tell students that they will learn more about inference and keep practicing drawing inferences based on clues from the track.
text. Remind students of their work yesterday, using evidence flags to track their thinking as they read. • When ELLs are asked
• Point out to students that the way a person responds to challenges tells us a lot about who they are. Ask students to to produce language,
talk in their groups about an example. Model as needed with something from your own life. consider providing a
• Read out loud the learning target: “I can write to explain my thinking about the characters in Esperanza Rising.” Tell sentence frame or starter,
students that throughout their study of Esperanza Rising, they will be thinking about the challenges Esperanza and or a cloze sentence to
other characters face, how those characters respond, and what that tells us about those characters. Remind them that assist with language
they did something similar when they read the firsthand human rights accounts at the end of Unit 1. production and the
• Ask students to begin four new pages in their reading journal (one per character), and on each page quickly jot a structure required.
response to the following question: • Consider allowing
• “What do you already know about this character?” students to draw their
* Esperanza observations, ideas, or
* Mama notes when appropriate.
* Abuelita This allows ELLs
* Miguel to participate in a
• Tell students that in the next lesson, they will focus more on Miguel; today they will just focus on Esperanza’s family. meaningful way.
• Display the text-dependent questions for Chapter 3: “Las Papayas/Papayas.”
• In triads, students should read aloud one text-dependent question at a time, and clarify any terms. They should then
think on their own, then talk together to answer the question, marking their answers with evidence flags. They do not
need to write complete answers to the questions at this point.
• Students should then repeat this cycle for the next question.
• As students work, monitor this discussion. Emphasize that the author is not telling the reader what the characters are
like, she is showing the reader how the characters behave, so that the reader can infer what the character is like.
• While circulating, make sure all students are participating. Reinforce students who are following the Triad Talk norms
well.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 7
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 3
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 3: “LAS PAPAYAS/PAPAYAS”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Independent Answer (5 minutes) • For students who struggle,
• Remind students of what they did today by asking students to reread out loud the learning targets. Have consider providing extra time for
students give suggestions to add to the anchor chart Reading Esperanza Rising. Make sure to add: using tasks and answering questions
context clues to figure out vocabulary and thinking about how characters respond to challenges to the chart. in class discussions. ELLs often
• Distribute index cards or half-sheets of paper. Ask students to select one question (i.e. just about one of need more time to process and
the characters) from their triad talk discussion for which they feel that they have a complete answer. Ask translate information.
students to write the number of the question and their answer, using specific details from the text.
B. Debrief (5 minutes) • Consider allowing students to
• Ask students to write a definition of inferring in their reading journal. Then ask students to share their draw their observations, ideas,
definition with their triad. Cold call a few students to share an inference they made about Esperanza, Mama, or notes when appropriate. This
or Abuelita during class today. allows ELLs to participate in a
meaningful way.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs” (pages 30–57) in Esperanza Rising. Use the Purpose for Reading, • Audio recordings of text can
Chapter 4 homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific areas in the aid students in comprehension.
book that support your answer. Students can pause and replay
confusing portions while they
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the follow along with the text.
day or first thing in the morning. All students should come to expect that they will use some of the “slushy time” during the
day—right before or after lunch, during down time between other tasks, as they enter the classroom in the morning or just before
dismissal, as time for reading the novel or independent reading. In addition, students likely to need additional support should
preread this novel with support during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to
spend class periods rereading and focusing on evidence.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 8
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 LESSON 3
Comprehensions Quiz Entrance Ticket (Chapter 3: Las Papayas/Papayas)

Name:
Date:

1. At the start of Chapter 3: “Las Papayas,” what does Esperanza dream about?

2. What does Tío Luis ask Mama to do?

3. What is Mama’s answer?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 LESSON 3
Comprehensions Quiz Entrance Ticket (Chapter 3: Las Papayas/Papayas)

4. What is Miguel planning to do now?

5. What did Señor Rodriguez bring for Esperanza’s birthday?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 LESSON 3
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 3: “Las Papayas/Papayas”

1. Esperanza: How is Esperanza responding to her father’s death? Re-read the following passages and dis-
cuss with your triad:
- Page 25, the paragraph that begins “She took a quivery breath….”
- Pages 27-28
What other evidence can you find in Chapter 3 that shows how Esperanza is responding?

2. Mama: How is Mama responding to her husband’s death?

Re-read the following passages and discuss with your triad:
- Page 27, the paragraph that begins “Esperanza avoided opening her birthday gifts…”
- Pages 30-31
On page 29, it says “Mama did not answer but maintained her composure.”
Based on the context, and on what you know about Mama, what do you think the word composure
means? Explain your thinking.

3. Abuelita: How does Abuelita respond to Esperanza’s uncles?

Re-read the following passages and discuss with your triad:
- Page 32, near the bottom on the page. Why does Abuelita call the uncles “vultures?”
- On page 30, it says “A look of indignation passed between Mama and Abuelita.” Based on the
context, and on what you know about Abuelita, what do you think the word indignation means? Explain
your thinking.

4. Vocabulary: On page 29, it says, “Mama did not answer but maintained her composure.”
Based on the context, and on what you know about Mama, what do you think the word composure
means? Explain your thinking.

5. Vocabulary: On page 30, it says, “A look of indignation passed between Mama and Abuelita.” Based
on the context, and on what you knoabout Abuelita, what do you think the word indignation means?
Explain your thinking.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 LESSON 3
Homework: Purpose For Reading, Chapter 3: “las Papayas/Papayas” (pages 23-28)
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

1. Esperanza: How is Esperanza responding to her father’s death?

Re-read the following passages and discuss with your triad:
- Page 25, the paragraph that begins “She took a quivery breath….”
- Pages 27-28
What other evidence can you find in Chapter 3 that shows how Esperanza is responding?

Esperanza is very very sad that her father died. She is missing him, particularly because it is her birthday. She
almost can’t believe this is happening to her. “She felt like she was in someone else’s body, watching a sad scene
but unable to help.”(p. 25) She cries almost every night “…Esperanza often woke to Mama’s soft crying. Or
Mama woke to hers.” and doesn’t even want to open her birthday gifts. “Esperanza avoided opening her birth-
day gifts.” (p. 27) She was so sad she couldn’t even speak. “Esperanza couldn’t talk. Her heart felt so big and
hurt so much that it crowded out her voice.” (p. 28)

2. Mama: How is Mama responding to her husband’s death?

Re-read the following passages and discuss with your triad:
- Page 27, the paragraph that begins “Esperanza avoided opening her birthday gifts…”
- Pages 30-31
On page 29, it says “Mama did not answer but maintained her composure.”
Based on the context, and on what you know about Mama, what do you think the word composure
means? Explain your thinking.

Mama is trying to stay strong for Esperanza encouraging her to go on with her life by opening her birthday
gifts. “…Mama insisted, saying, “Papa would have wanted it.”” (p.27) Although Mama did not like what Tio was
doing trying to buy their house, she was strong and stood up to him. “So, no, I will not sell.” (p. 31)

“Composure” means that Mama stayed calm and did nothing because the paragraph that follows the sentence
that has “composure” in it goes on to say, “They nodded to Abuelita but, as usual, said nothing to Esperanza.”.
(p. 29) It does not say anything about Mama.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 12

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 LESSON 3
Homework: Purpose For Reading, Chapter 3: “las Papayas/Papayas” (pages 23-28)
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

3. Abuelita: How does Abuelita respond to Esperanza’s uncles?

Re-read the following passages and discuss with your triad:
- Page 32, near the bottom on the page. Why does Abuelita call the uncles “vultures?”
- On page 30, it says “A look of indignation passed between Mama and Abuelita.” Based on the
context, and on what you know about Abuelita, what do you think the word indignation means? Ex-
plain your thinking.

Abuelita knows that the uncles are not doing the right thing. Right before she calls them “vultures” the uncle
said, “You will regret the decision Ramona. You must keep in mind that this house and those grapes are my
property. I can make things difficult for you. Very difficult…” She thinks they are taking things that do not
belong to them. (p. 32)

“Indignation” means angry because in the sentence right before the one with “indignation” Esperanza “wipes
away angry tears” (p. 30) and then the sentence after says, “Were they feeling the same way?”, referring to Mama
and Abuelita.

4. Vocabulary: On page 29, it says, “Mama did not answer but maintained her composure.”
Based on the context, and on what you know about Mama, what do you think the word composure
means? Explain your thinking.

“Composure” means that Mama stayed calm and did nothing because the paragraph that follows the sentence
that has “composure” in it goes on to say, “They nodded to Abuelita but, as usual, said nothing to Esperanza.”
(p. 29) It does not say anything about Mama.

5. Vocabulary: On page 30, it says, “A look of indignation passed between Mama and Abuelita.” Based
on the context, and on what you knoabout Abuelita, what do you think the word indignation means?
Explain your thinking.

“Indignation” means angry because in the sentence right before the one with “indignation.” Esperanza “wipes
away angry tears” (p. 30), and then the sentence after says, “Were they feeling the same way?”, referring to
Mama and Abuelita.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 13

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2 LESSON 3
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs” (pages 39–57)

What challenges do the characters in this chapter face? How does each character respond?

As you read, think about these questions. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text
to discuss with your triad. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to discuss with
your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track of your
thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 14

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 4: “LOS HIGOS/FIGS”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can explain what a text says using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can make inferences using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text (two or more characters’ points of view, settings, events). (RL.5.3)
I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes). (RL.5.4)
I can write informative/explanatory texts. (W.5.2)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza Rising that I have read • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter
independently. 4: “Los Higos/Figs” (entrance
• I can identify situations in Esperanza Rising where a character’s human rights are challenged. ticket)
• I can make inferences from the text about the characters in Esperanza Rising. • Anchor charts: Character
• I can use context clues to help me determine the meaning of words in Esperanza Rising. T-charts: One (created by small
• I can write to explain my thinking about the characters in Esperanza Rising. groups) about Mama, Abuelita,
Miguel, and a second (from
individual notes) about Mama,
Abuelita, Miguel, Esperanza
• Triad discussions
• Exit Ticket: Independent
answer to text-dependent
question

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 4: “LOS HIGOS/FIGS”)

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • This lesson builds directly on Lesson 3, and reinforces a pattern of analysis that
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter students will use throughout their study of the novel. They will consider the
4: “Los Higos/Figs” (5 minutes) challenges characters face (including but not limited to human rights challenges), how
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review the characters respond, and how the characters’ response helps us understand that
(5 minutes) character and the themes of the novel. Today students specifically begin to compare
2. Work Time and contrast Esperanza’s responses to those of other main characters.
A. Jigsaw, Part 1: How Mama, Abuelita, and Miguel • In advance: Read Chapter 4 and review the text- dependent questions (see supporting
Respond to Challenges (20 minutes) materials). Two copies of the questions are provided: a blank to display for students,
B. Jigsaw, Part 2: Comparing Esperanza’s Response and one with answers for teacher reference.
to the Response of These Other Characters • Review Jigsaw protocol (Appendix 1) (Used in Lesson 1, so students should be
(15 minutes) familiar with it)
3. Closing and Assessment • The comprehension quiz is intended to check students’ basic recall and hold students
A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (10 minutes) accountable. It is less important that the quiz be formally graded; decide whether or
B. Debrief (5 minutes) not to formally assess the quizzes based on your class routines and students’ needs.
• Be sure to create a system for students to hold on to their Entrance and Exit tickets
from each lesson. They will need these as notes for their writing later in the unit.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 4: “LOS HIGOS/FIGS”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

smothering, enveloped, scurried, silhouetted, • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs”
penetrate, salvage, influence, discreetly, indebted, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
valise, sprawling • Anchor charts: Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising and Inferring by Using Text
Clues (from Lesson 3)
• Jigsaw protocol (Appendix 1)
• Jigsaw task card (supporting materials, below)
• Evidence flags (sticky notes: the smallest size available or larger sizes cut into strips)—2
baggies per student (one each for home and school)
• Chart paper: one per every three students for Character anchor charts
• Markers
• Student journals
• Index cards or ½ sheets of paper

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs” (5 minutes) • Consider positing nonlinguistic symbols to
• Remind students to sit with their triads throughout their study of the novel. assist ELLs in comprehension and making
• Remind students of the purpose of the comprehension quiz routine. Explain that this quiz will connections.
be a daily practice as we move through Esperanza Rising, designed to assess whether students • For students who struggle, consider providing
read and understood the text assigned for homework. extra time for tasks and answering questions in
• Remind students that their homework reading is a “first draft” read; they are not expected to class discussions. ELLs often need more time to
understand everything. But it is important that they feel accountable for the reading, practice process and translate information.
reading on their own, and try their best. • For ELLs, posting points of class discussions
• Distribute the quiz, and give students five minutes to complete it. Collect students’ work to assists in comprehension.
review and/or assess.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 4: “LOS HIGOS/FIGS”)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes)
• After the quiz, lead the class in a brief whole class review session, cold- calling students to elicit a summary of
Chapter 4. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What was this chapter mostly about?” and “What happened
in this chapter?” Encourage students to cite evidence or point to specific passages. Note which students are able to
answer the questions, and the quality of the answers.
• Ask students what they might write on their evidence flag on the first page of Chapter 4 to help them remember
what this chapter was mostly about. If needed, model, by saying “The main thing that happened in this chapter is
that their house burned, so I think I am going to write ‘fire’.” (If students make some reference to the chapter title
“Los Higos/Figs,” seize on this smart thinking and congratulate them. Tell them that they will think more about the
chapter titles in the next lesson).
• Then ask the last question from the quiz again:
* “Where do Mama, Abuelita, and Esperanza decide to go?”
• Be sure students understand that they decided to go to the United States with Miguel and his family. This is a crucial
plot point.
• Return students’ Entrance and Exit Tickets and from Lesson 3. Address any major misconceptions. Ask students
to hold on to these Entrance and Exit Tickets: they will want to refer to them for their writing later in the unit.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 4: “LOS HIGOS/FIGS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Jigsaw, Part 1: How Mama, Abuelita, and Miguel Respond to Challenges (20 minutes) • Consider providing a
• Revisit the learning targets by asking a student to read out loud each learning target. Remind students that these are smaller chunk of text for
the same learning targets form the previous lesson. Explain that they will pay particular attention to: “I can identify the Jigsaw task cards to
situations in Esperanza Rising where a character’s human rights are challenged,” and “I can make inferences from the read for ELLs.
text about the characters in Esperanza Rising.” Remind them about the discussion they had about inferring encing • Consider writing and
during the last lesson and direct students to the Inferring Using Text Clues anchor chart. displaying steps for
• Direct students to get into the same triads from the previous lesson. Remind students that they will be working in multistep directions.
these groups of three almost every day throughout this unit. Have students turn to the pages in their journal where ELLs can return to steps
they began to record some information about the characters in the book. Have them reread what they wrote and share to make sure they are on
that with their triads, adding any new information that may have surfaced. track.
• Remind students of the Jigsaw protocol that they have done previously, where each person becomes an expert on
something and then teaches that to the rest of the people in their group.
• Assign one student in each triad Mama, Abeulita, or Miguel and distribute the corresponding Jigsaw task card.
• Give students approximately 10 minutes to work on their own to complete their the Jigsaw Task Card, making sure to
mark evidence with evidence flags in the text. Use this time to circulate and support students who are still trying to
figure out how to use the evidence flags effectively.
• After approximately 10 minutes, ask students to leave their triad and gather in new groups, with peers from OTHER
triads who read about the same character. (Note: It probably will be necessary to divide students into small groups; for
example, there may be 8 or 9 students who became experts about Mama; this large group should be broken into two
smaller groups of 4 or 5 each).
• Ask students to discuss the evidence they flagged. Direct them to create an anchor chart, a character T-chart with
CHALLENGES listed on one side and RESPONSES on the other. Have students record their groups’ thinking
in their own on the page that corresponds to that character. Hang the anchor charts up in the classroom so that all
students can see the information.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 4: “LOS HIGOS/FIGS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Jigsaw, Part 2: Comparing Esperanza’s Response to the Response of These Other Characters • Consider providing a
(15 minutes) sentence frame or starter,
• Have students return to their original triads. Let them know that each student has 4 minutes to share about their or a cloze sentence
character. The other two students should take notes on the corresponding page in their reading journal about that to assist ELLs with
character. Students may want to refer to the hanging character anchor charts as they share with their triads. language production and
• After each student has shared about his or her character, ask triads to spend 3 to 4 minutes discussing the following: the structure required.
* “How is Esperanza’s response to challenges like the response of the other characters? How is her response • Some ELLs may benefit
different?” from partially filled-in
• As students work, monitor this discussion. Emphasize that the author is not telling the reader what the characters are Jigsaw task cards.
like, she is showing the reader how the characters behave, so that the reader can infer what the character is like. The way
a person responds to challenges tells us a lot about who they are.
• While circulating, make sure all students are participating. Reinforce students who are following the Triad Talk norms
well.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
INFERRING ABOUT CHARACTERS BASED ON HOW THEY RESPOND TO CHALLENGES (CHAPTER 4: “LOS HIGOS/FIGS”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (10 minutes) • Consider allowing students to
• Distribute index cards or half-sheets of paper. Ask students to respond to the following prompt: draw their observations, ideas, or
• Compare/contrast Esperanza to the character you became an expert on today. “How is Esperanza’s response notes when appropriate.
to challenges like the response of the other character? How is her response different? Use specific details
from the text to support your answer.”
B. Debrief (5 minutes) • ELL language acquisition is
• Adding to Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising anchor chart facilitated by interacting with
• Remind students of what they focused on today by rereading the learning targets out loud. Have students native speakers of English who
refer to the anchor chart, Reading Esperanza Rising. provide models of language.
• Orient students to the Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising anchor chart created in Lesson
3. Ask students to talk with their triads, then share out challenges that the class should add to this list. Add
the triads suggestions to the chart.
• Collect students’ independent writing on their index cards to check for individual understanding.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas” (pages 58–80) in Esperanza Rising. Use the Purpose for • Audio recordings of text can aid
Reading, Chapter 5 homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific some students in comprehension.
areas in the book that support your answer. Students can pause and replay
confusing portions while they
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the follow along with the text.
day or first thing in the morning. All students should come to expect that they will use some of the “slushy time” during the
day—right before or after lunch, during down time between other tasks, as they enter the classroom in the morning or just before
dismissal, as time for reading the novel or independent reading. In addition, students likely to need additional support should
preread this novel with support during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to
spend class periods rereading and focusing on evidence.

Note: In Lesson 5, students read a variety of resources in order to build background knowledge about California, immigration,
and the 1930s. Prepare these folders in advance; see Lesson 5 teaching notes for details.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 7
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Comprehensions Quiz Entrance Ticket (Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs”)

Name:
Date:

1. Why did Mama wake Esperanza up?

2. Who does everyone think is to blame for what happened?

3. What does Mama change her mind about?

4. Where do Mama, Abuelita, and Esperanza decide to go?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Jigsaw Task Card for Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs”

Mama:
1. Re-read pages 44-45. How does Mama respond to the Tio’s marriage proposal after the fire? What does that tell
you about Mama as a person? What does she see as her role in the family?

2. Re-read the first half of pages 48 and 49. How does Mama feel about marrying Tio? How does this continue to
show Mama’s strength as a person? What is Mama willing to do besides let Tio think she will marry him?

3. Re-read the bottom of page 56-57. How does Mama continue to demonstrate her strength as a person as they
are leaving the rancho? How is she a good example for Esperanza? How does Esperanza react to leaving the
rancho?

Abuelita:
1. Re-read the middle of page 42. How does Abuelita respond to the fire? What might that tell us about Abeulita
as a person? What does she care about or believe in?

2. Re-read from the bottom of page 47-50. How does Abuelita let Mama know she approves of her decisions?
How does Abuelita attempt to comfort Esperanza? What role does Abuelita play in the family?

3. Re-read page 51. Why does Abuelita give the crocheting to Esperanza? How does Esperanza show she still is
not ready to face the situation?

Miguel:
1. Re-read the very bottom of page 41 through the first paragraph on page 42. What challenge does Miguel face?
How does he respond? What might this tell us about Miguel as a person? Be sure to give examples from the
text.

2. Re-read pages 55-56. How does Miguel demonstrate that he is ready for this challenge? What characteristic does
he show during this time? How is this different than Esperanza?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

Mama:
1. Re-read pages 44-45. How does Mama respond to the Tio’s marriage proposal after the fire? What does that tell
you about Mama as a person? What does she see as her role in the family?

Mama is still trying to be strong. “…looking like a fierce statue.” Mama knows that she must protect Esperanza
and the servants and her only way of doing that is by accepting the uncle’s proposal. “ Mama looked at
Esperanza with eyes that said “forgive me”.” This tells you that Mama is willing to sacrifice for her family.

2. Re-read the first half of pages 48 and 49. How does Mama feel about marrying Tio? How does this continue to
show Mama’s strength as a person? What is Mama willing to do besides let Tio think she will marry him?

Mama does not want to marry Tio and feels like Papa would not have wanted her to do that either. “Do you
think that Papa would have wanted me to marry Tip Luis…” It shows that she is very strong because she is
willing to insult him by moving to the United States instead of marrying him. “A tine smile appeared on Mama’s
tired face. “Yes, it would be a great insult to him wouldn’t it?”” She is willing to work hard in California doing
fieldwork. “I am stronger than you think,” said Mama.”

3. Re-read the bottom of page 56-57. How does Mama continue to demonstrate her strength as a person as they
are leaving the rancho? How is she a good example for Esperanza? How does Esperanza react to leaving the
rancho?

Mama is determined to do what is right and not complain about it. “ Then Mama took a determined breath…”
Esperanza is having a hard time not showing her anger. “…she could see nothing behind her but a trail of
splattered figs she had resentfully smashed beneath her feet.”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

Abuelita:
1. Re-read the middle of page 42. How does Abuelita respond to the fire? What might that tell us about Abeulita
as a person? What does she care about or believe in?

Abuelita also faces the challenge of the fire. But she was determined to save her crocheting bag. “Her grand-
mother held up her cloth bag with her crocheting”. She says ‘We must have something to do while we wait.’
This shows that she values some things, like having something to occupy her mind, even more than being safe.

2. Re-read from the bottom of page 47-50. How does Abuelita let Mama know she approves of her decisions?
How does Abuelita attempt to comfort Esperanza? What role does Abuelita play in the family?

Abuelita does not need to talk very much to show her approval. She listens and shows her approval by nodding
and agreeing to help get the right papers together (pp.48-49). She comforts Esperanza by reminding her of a
story of when she moved to Mexico from Spain (pp.49-50) and by explaining that she will join them when she
is better. (p.47) Abuelita seems to be the leader of the family now because every time Mama wants to make a
decision she must talk it over with her too.

3. Re-read page 51. Why does Abuelita give the crocheting to Esperanza? How does Esperanza show she still is
not ready to face the situation?

Abuelita gives the crocheting to Esperanza to help her pass the time while they are apart. “While you are wait-
ing, finish this for me.” She also wants Esperanza to learn a lesson about life, that you are sometimes going
through hard times but there will be good times too. “Right now you are in the bottom of a valley and your
problems loom big around you. But soon you will be at the top of a mountain again.” Esperanza wants to avoid
saying goodbye while Abuelita faced the situation even though it was sad. “She buried her head…”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

Miguel:
1. Re-read the very bottom of page 41 through the first paragraph on page 42. What challenge does Miguel face?
How does he respond? What might this tell us about Miguel as a person? Be sure to give examples from the
text.

Miguel faces the challenge of the fire. He saves Abuelita. He “lays her down.” This shows that he cares a
lot about Esperanza’s family, and is willing to put his own life at risk to help them. His shirt is burning, but
he seems calm: “Miguel stood up and slowly took off his blackened shirt.” This shows that he is calm under
pressure.

2. Re-read pages 55-56. How does Miguel demonstrate that he is ready for this challenge? What characteristic does
he show during this time? How is this different than Esperanza?

Miguel is showing great strength while they are leaving the rancho by helping his father lead them out of the
situation. “…Miguel and Alfonzo lead them through the grape rows…Miguel walked ahead.” Miguel could be
considered brave and mature because he is not thinking about the past, but instead heading towards the future.
On the other hand Esperanza is thinking of only the past. “Sadness and anger tangled in Esperanza’s stomach
as she thought of all that she was leaving…”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 12

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 4
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Gauvas” (pages 58–80)

What is Esperanza’s journey to the United States like?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
discuss with your triad. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to discuss with
your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track of your
thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 13

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
CONNECTING INFORMATIONAL TEXT WITH LITERATURE: BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MEXICAN
IMMIGRATION, CALIFORNIA, AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION
LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)
I can use quotes to explain the meaning of a literary text. (RL.5.1)
I can determine the main idea(s) of an informational text based on key details. (RI.5.2)
I can summarize an informational text. (RI.5.2)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas” (entrance
Rising that I have read independently. ticket)
• I can summarize the main ideas in an informational text about • Getting the Gist note-catchers
California in the 1930s • Exit Ticket: Independent answer to text-dependent question

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance: Prepare 2 to 3 copies of all three Suggested Resources (see list in supporting materials).
A. Entrance Ticket: • Review Hosted Gallery Walk protocol (Appendix 1)
Comprehension Quiz and • In advance: Read Chapter 5, “Las Guayabas/Guavas,” which students read for homework. Note, however, that
Chapter Title: Chapter 5 this lesson does not go into depth on Chapter 5. Rather, students touch on the chapter but spend more time
“Las Guayabas/Guavas” building background knowledge about California in the 1930s. Students are held more individually accountable
(10 minutes) for their analysis of Chapter 5 in their independent writing in the closing of this lesson.
2. Work Time • There are many hints given in the Hint cards. Use as many or as few as necessary for students to succeed after
A. Engaging the Reader: What reading the texts suggested for expert groups.
do We Already Know about • During Lesson 6, students also revisit a few key passages from Chapter 5. In the lessons leading up to the End
California in the 1930s? of Unit assessment, students again return to Chapter 5, working in triads to write about Esperanza’s response to
(10 minutes) the events on the train. Also remember that in Unit 3 (“Readers Theater”), students revisit, analyze, and discuss
B. Building Background many key passages from Esperanza Rising, including passages from Chapter 5. Students’ understanding of the text
Knowledge: Hosted Gallery will grow across the six weeks of Units 2 and 3.
Walk (30 minutes) • Some vocabulary is not academic or domain-specific, and students may benefit from instruction or review: aha.
3. Closing and Assessment • Consider showing students Voices from the Fields: Children of Migrant Farmworkers Tell Their Stories, by S. Beth Atkin.
This beautiful informational text gives the reader a look at the modern migrant farmworkers’ experiences.
A. Independent Writing
(5 minutes)
B. Debrief (5 minutes)
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
CONNECTING INFORMATIONAL TEXT WITH LITERATURE: BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MEXICAN
IMMIGRATION, CALIFORNIA, AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

setting, informational text, summarize, • Hint cards (see supporting materials)
answer, cite evidence, immigration, • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas”
depression • Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising anchor chart (from Lessons 3 and 4)
• Wall map that shows Mexico, California, and New York (originally displayed in Lesson 1)
• 3 pieces of chart paper, titled CALIFORNIA, IMMIGRATING FROM MEXICO, and THE GREAT
DEPRESSION OF THE 1930S (if necessary, use more than one piece per topic, so all students have
room to write)
• Markers (2 colors, enough for students to have one of each)
• Folders of resources: Informational texts regarding California, immigration, and the Great Depression.
See Suggested Resources (in supporting materials). Two to three folders on each of the three topics.2
• Getting the Gist note-catchers
• Chart paper for student groups

2
Note: this list of resources is provided as suggestions only. Teachers may choose to supplement with other resources.
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
CONNECTING INFORMATIONAL TEXT WITH LITERATURE: BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MEXICAN
IMMIGRATION, CALIFORNIA, AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz and Chapter Title: Chapter 5 Las Guayabas/Guavas • Consider providing extra
(10 minutes) time for tasks and answering
• Remind students to sit with their triads throughout their study of the novel. questions in class discussions.
• Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 5 entrance ticket. Collect students’ work to review and/ ELLs often need more time
or assess. to process and translate
• Invite students who found an example of a challenge to human rights in their homework reading to record their information.
discovery on the Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising anchor chart (begun in Lesson 3). • Consider providing
• After the quiz, lead the class in a whole group session, cold calling students to elicit a summary of the chapter that nonlinguistic symbols for
was read for homework. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What was this chapter mostly about?” or key words in learning targets
“What happened in this chapter?” and then ask more detailed text-dependent questions as necessary. Encourage (e.g., a lightbulb for main idea,
students to cite evidence or point to specific passages. Note which students are able to answer the questions and a question mark for questions).
the quality of the answers. These can be posted and
• Direct students’ attention to the title of the chapter: “Las Guayabas/Guavas.” Ask students what pattern they referred back to throughout
have noticed in the chapter titles. (Students should quickly recognize that, with the exception of Chapter 1, which the module.
names the setting, all the chapter titles are a fruit or vegetable.) Tell students that authors choose titles for very • Visuals can help some
important reasons, to help readers understand some key idea about the chapter. Ask: “Why do you think Pam students comprehend
Munoz Ryan titled this chapter ‘Guayabas’?” Listen for students to make the connection to the answer to the first questions and discussions.
question on the comprehension quiz: Esperanza travels to the train station in a wagon full of guavas. Chart main points in answers
• Encourage students to pay attention to the chapter titles in their future reading of the novel. (This point will be and post all questions asked
revisited regularly in future lessons.) to students.
• Return students’ Entrance and Exit tickets (independent writing) from Lesson 4. Address any misconceptions
briefly. Ask students to file this independent writing in their folders; they will want to refer to this thinking when
they do their more formal writing later in the unit.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
CONNECTING INFORMATIONAL TEXT WITH LITERATURE: BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MEXICAN
IMMIGRATION, CALIFORNIA, AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Engaging the Reader: What do We Already Know about California in the 1930s? (10 minutes) • Consider allowing
• Point out to students that Chapter 5 marks a transition in the setting of the novel: Esperanza has left Mexico, and is students to draw their
traveling to the United States, specifically California. observations, ideas, or
• Remind students about how they built background knowledge about Mexico in the first lesson of this unit. Today they notes when appropriate.
will build background knowledge about California. This allows ELLs
• Introduce the learning target: “I can summarize the main ideas in an informational text about California in the 1930s.” to participate in a
Clarify what is meant by informational text (refer back to the texts they read about Mexico in Lesson 1). Be sure meaningful way.
students can mentally place the 1930s in their mind (perhaps when their great-grandparents were born, before World
War II, etc.). Direct students’ attention to the wall map (originally displayed in Lesson 1). Point out where California is
in relation to Mexico and New York.
• Display for the class three large pieces of chart paper (if necessary, use more than one piece per topic, so all students
have room to write).
• Label the charts:
* CALIFORNIA
* IMMIGRATING FROM MEXICO
* THE GREAT DEPRESSION OF THE 1930S
• Give every student a marker of the same color. Ask students to come up to the charts and silently write down anything
they know about these topics on the charts.
• As students are working, circulate, giving students hint cards (see supporting materials)—a sentence that tells them
something about one of these topics. (e.g.: Tuesday, October 29, 1929, is known as “Black Tuesday.” On this day the
stock market crashed, losing a total of $14 billion dollars.) Students add their hints to the correct chart.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
CONNECTING INFORMATIONAL TEXT WITH LITERATURE: BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MEXICAN
IMMIGRATION, CALIFORNIA, AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Building Background Knowledge: Hosted Gallery Walk (30 minutes)) • If needed and possible, provide text or
• Use the Hosted Gallery Walk protocol (Appendix 1). materials found in students’ L1.
• Tell students that they will not start this activity with their triad, but will end with them. Ask triads to • For students needing additional support
assign each person a topic: California, immigration, or the Great Depression. in reading, consider providing a below-
• Ask students to leave their triad and form new groups with two other students who were assigned the grade-level reading text, or text with
same topic. Students should now be in new groups of three. more illustrations, diagrams, or smaller
• Give each of these new groups a Getting the Gist note-catcher and a folder of resources on their pieces of text in the folder.
assigned topic. • Use thoughtful grouping: partnering an
• Ask students to stay with this new group, but work silently and independently for 15 minutes, to read ELL with a native speaker of English
some of the resource materials and recording the main ideas on their Getting the Gist note-catchers. can facilitate language acquisition by
• Then give each of these new groups a piece of chart paper for their poster. Have these new groups using the language in context.
work together for 10 minutes to create a poster that captures the main ideas from their note-catchers in • For students who need additional
words and a visual. supports with language production,
• Display the posters in three different areas of the room, grouped by topic. Regroup students, so there guide them in practicing what they will
are three new groups, each of which has some experts on each topic. Groups rotate to each display area. say about their poster. They can have a
At each display, those who helped create the poster on the given topic speak, explaining the topic to the few key points written on a card.
group. Peers listen and ask questions.
• Gather whole group, and focus students on the three original charts they created as a class during
today’s opening.
• Hand each student a new color of marker. Ask the students to record (again, silently), their new learning
on the charts in this new color. They may also cross out statements on the chart that they now know are
inaccurate.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
CONNECTING INFORMATIONAL TEXT WITH LITERATURE: BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MEXICAN
IMMIGRATION, CALIFORNIA, AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Independent Writing (5 minutes) • For students needing additional
• Distribute index cards or half-sheets of paper. Ask students to respond to the following prompt: supports, consider offering a
• “How do you think Esperanza’s life with be different in California? Support your thinking with at least one sentence frame or starter, or
piece of information you learned today, and one detail from Esperanza’s train journey described in Chapter a cloze sentence to assist with
5.” language production and provide
• Collect students’ independent writing on their index cards to check for understanding. the structure required.
B. Debrief (5 minutes) • Debriefing about what they have
• Gather the students in a whole group. Review the learning targets with students. Using the Fist-to-Five learned and the protocols used
Protocol, have students rate themselves from a 0 (a fist) to a 5 (five fingers) on where they think they are in will help students monitor their
meeting each learning target, with the 0 being low and a 5 being high. own learning.
• Ask students to share with a partner, and then discuss as a class the following questions:
* “What was your biggest ‘aha’ or new learning during the gallery walk?”
* “How did working with others help you be successful?”

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Melons” (pages 81–99) in Esperanza Rising. Use the Purpose for • Audio recordings of text can
Reading, Chapter 6 homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific aid in comprehension. Students
areas in the book that support your answer. can pause and replay confusing
• Remember: Esperanza Rising is a long novel. In Unit 3 (“Readers Theater”), students revisit, analyze, and portions while they follow along
discuss many key passages from Esperanza Rising. Do not worry if students have not yet fully analyzed the with the text.
text.

Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the
day or first thing in the morning. All students should come to expect that they will use some of the “slushy time” during the
day—right before or after lunch, during down time between other tasks, as they enter the classroom in the morning or just before
dismissal, as time for reading the novel or independent reading. In addition, students likely to need additional support should
preread this novel with support during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to
spend class periods rereading and focusing on evidence.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
Suggested Resources List for Lesson 5

California:
http://www.museumca.org/picturethis/timeline/depression-era-1930s/migrant-farm-workers/info
http://migration.ucdavis.edu/rmn/more.php?id=788_0_6_0
http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/calcultures/ethnic_groups/subtopic3b.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8284654_california-1930s.html

Alternative or additional resources:

S. Beth Atkin, Voices from the Fields: Children of Migrant Farmworkers Tell Their Stories (New York: Little,
Brown, 2000), ISBN-13: 978-0316-056205, ISBN-10: 0316056200.
Scenes from movie The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Immigration from Mexico:

www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/immigration/mexican.
html
www.geographia.com/mexico/mexicohistory.htm
www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/index.html
www.pbs.org/kpbs/theborder/history/timeline/17.html

The Great Depression:

newdeal.feri.org/eleanor/er2a.htm
newdeal.feri.org/eleanor/cvb0335.htm
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-54463_18670_18793-53511--,00.html
www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/wwii/jb_wwii_subj.html

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5

Comprehension Quiz Entrance Ticket (Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas”)

Name:
Date:

1. How does Esperanza travel to the train station?

2. How did Papa reward Miguel when he scared away the bandits?

3. What does the little girl on the train want Esperanza to show her?

4. What does Carmen, the woman on the train, give Mama?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5

Hint Cards
California, Immigrating from Mexico, The Great Depression of the 1930s
Teacher Note: Print out and cut apart to give to groups during Work Time.

California:
• Fruit production and cattle ranches increased in California in the late 1800’s.
• 3/4 of California’s 200,000 farm workers were Mexican or Mexican American
• Farm workers from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri (“Okies”) arrived in California in the mid-
1930s, looking for work.
• “Repatriation” plans where made to send Mexican immigrants back to Mexico.
• In fall 1931 1,200-1,500 migrants arrived per day.
• The 1933 cotton strike lasted four-weeks and involved between 12,000 and 18,000 farm workers.
• The vagrancy laws of 1933 and 1937, allowed many migrants to be arrested.
• In 1934, the Dust Bowl in the Midwest began sending migrants to California.
• Mexicans in California were seen as competition for much needed jobs.
• Labor camps were built in the summer of 1935.

Immigrating to the United States from Mexico:

• The U.S.–Mexico border covers 2,000 miles.
• The Mexican Revolution and Mexican civil wars caused many Mexicans to move to the United
States.
• In the late 1880’s, 55,000 Mexican workers immigrated to the United States.
• The Immigration Act of 1924 was established.
• More than 89,000 Mexicans come into the United States in 1924.
• In 1924, the U.S. Border Patrol was created.
• By the late 1930s, the crop fields in Mexico were not producing many crops.
• Mexican immigrants and their descendants now make up a significant portion of the U.S. population.
• The Mexican workers were seen as strong and fast.
• Mexican immigrants were willing to work for low wages and in tough working conditions.
• During the depression, it was harder for all Mexicans to get jobs legally in the United States because of new
immigration laws.
• Many Mexicans were deported back to Mexico during the great depression.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
Hint Cards
California, Immigrating from Mexico, The Great Depression of the 1930s
Teacher Note: Print out and cut apart to give to groups during Work Time.

The Great Depression of the 1930’s:

• During the Depression, one out of four people were unemployed.

• Without money people could not pay for housing or buy food and clothes for the family.
• About 250,000 young people were homeless.
• Many people traveled the highways and railways to find work.
• Some people traded for food, clothes, shelter and services.
• October 29, 1929, is known as “Black Tuesday”, the day that the stock market crashed, officially setting off
the Great Depression.
• Congress created The Works Progress Administration (WPA), which offered work to thousands of people.
• The end to the Great Depression came in 1941 when the United States entered World War II.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
Getting the Gist note catcher:
Determine Importance—Summarize and Synthesize

You can get the gist of the texts by summarizing your understanding of them, using 10 important words. Select
the 15 most important words from the texts. Then, use them to write a summary statement.

Important Words:

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

Summary Statement:

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 5
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Melons” (pages 81–99)

What is Esperanza’s journey to the United States like?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
discuss with your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track
of your thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 12

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
CONTRASTING TWO SETTINGS (CHAPTER 6: “LOS MELONES/CANTALOUPES”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can explain what a text says using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can make inferences using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text (two or more characters’ points of view, settings, events). (RL.5.3)
I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes) in text. (RL.5.4)
I can effectively engage in a discussion with my peers. (SL.5.1)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza Rising that I have read • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter
independently. 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes”
• I can discuss answers to questions with my triad and provide evidence to explain my ideas. (entrance ticket)
• I can answer questions about the setting of the novel Esperanza Rising based on evidence from the • Observe where students place their
text. evidence flags
• I can answer questions about the main character, Esperanza, based on evidence from the text. • Triad discussions
• I can identify metaphors in Esperanza Rising. • Exit Ticket: Independent answer to
• I can interpret figurative language in Esperanza Rising. text-dependent question

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance: Read Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes” and review
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 6: “Los the text dependent questions (see supporting materials). Two copies
Melones” (5 minutes) of the questions are provided: a blank to display for students, and one
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) with answers for teacher reference.
2. Work Time • This lesson begins to introduce students to the idea of central
A. Answering Questions in Triads: Comparing California to Mexico metaphors (or symbols) in the novel. This purpose links directly to
(15 minutes) RL.4.4. For simplicity sake, there is just one anchor chart about “big
B. Guided Practice: Setting and Metaphor (20 minutes) metaphors” and themes. If appropriate for your students, feel free to
3. Closing and Assessment introduce the more complex literary term “symbol” as well; this goes
A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (10 minutes) beyond the level of the fifth-grade standards.
B. Debrief (5 minutes) • In advance: Think of a few examples of metaphors that most of your
students will already know.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
CONTRASTING TWO SETTINGS (CHAPTER 6: “LOS MELONES/CANTALOUPES”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

setting, character, historical fiction, harvest; • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
disembarked, grime, perspiration, slumped, wilted, • Document projector
valise, demeanor, groggily, campesino, barren, • Anchor charts: Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising and Reading Esperanza Rising
sculpted, plunged, reassuring, careening, staccato, (begun in Lesson 2)
bulging, waiting on (as in “serving”) • Evidence flags
• Index cards or half-sheets of paper

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes” • Consider providing extra time for tasks and
(5 minutes) answering questions in class discussions. ELLs
• Remind students to sit with their triads throughout their study of the novel. often need more time to process and translate
• Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 6 entrance ticket. Collect students’ information.
work to review and/or assess. • Increase interactions with vocabulary in context.
This increases rate of vocabulary acquisition for
ELLs.
• Visuals can help some students comprehend
questions and discussions. Chart main points in
answers and post all questions asked to students.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
CONTRASTING TWO SETTINGS (CHAPTER 6: “LOS MELONES/CANTALOUPES”)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes)
• After the quiz, lead the class in a whole group session, cold calling students to elicit a summary of the chapter
that was read for homework. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What was this chapter mostly about?”
“What happened in this chapter?” and then ask more detailed text-dependent questions as necessary. Encourage
students to cite evidence or point to specific passages. Note which students are able to answer the questions and
the quality of the responses.
• Be sure students understand the term campesino, which they should be able to figure out in context and based on
the background knowledge they built in Lesson 5 about California in the 1930s. Campesino is one of the Spanish
words for farmer.
• Direct the class’s attention to the title of the chapter: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes.” Ask students again what
pattern they have noticed in the chapter titles. Remind the class that authors choose titles for very important
reasons, to help readers understand some key idea about or event in the chapter. Ask: “Why do you think Pam
Muñoz Ryan titled this chapter “Los Melones?” Listen for students to make the connection to the answer to the
third question in the comprehension quiz: Esperanza sees melons (as well as grapes and cotton) in the fields on
her drive to the camp. Melons are one of the crops being grown and harvested. Review this key vocabulary word
if needed. Ask students to place an evidence flag on the first page of Chapter 6, with the phrase “melon crop
in California” or a similar summary.
• Encourage students to pay attention to the chapter titles in their future reading of the novel. (This point will be
revisited regularly in future lessons).
• Return students’ Entrance and Exit Tickets from Lesson 5. Address any major misconceptions. Ask students to
hold on to these Entrance and Exit tickets: they will want to refer to them for their writing later in the unit.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
CONTRASTING TWO SETTINGS (CHAPTER 6: “LOS MELONES/CANTALOUPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Answering Questions in Triads: Comparing California to Mexico (15 minutes) • Some students may be
• Choose two members of the class to read the learning targets aloud: “I can answer questions about the setting of unfamiliar with Tier 2
the novel Esperanza Rising based on evidence from the text,” and “I can answer questions about the main character, vocabulary words (e.g.,
Esperanza, based on evidence from the text.” Point out to students that they already worked with these targets in the based, text, evidence).
very first chapter of the novel. Briefly review the terms setting, emphasizing that it is about both the place and the time Clarify vocabulary with
period of a story. students as needed.
• Remind students that Esperanza Rising is historical fiction: the author draws upon real events, settings, and some real • Some students may
people, but also made up many events and characters. In Lesson 5, they read informational text to learn about what it benefit from having the
was like in California in the 1930s. In Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes,” they get to see the new setting through teacher create this note-
Esperanza’s eyes. catcher for them.
• Be sure all students have their text: Esperanza Rising. Return students to the Independent Writing they turned in • Visual learners may need
during the closing of Lesson 5. Ask students, in their triads, to discuss that question: to follow along with the
* “How do you think Esperanza’s life will be different in California? Support your thinking with at least one piece of read aloud in their own
information you learned today and one detail from Esperanza’s train journey described in Chapter 5.” copies of the novel.
• Circulate among triads listening to their discussions, redirecting and provide support if necessary. • Writing and displaying
• Next, ask students to discuss the Purpose for Reading homework question they were given when reading Chapter 5: the guidelines for all
“Los Melones/Cantaloupes” for homework: students to see will help
* “Describe the geographical setting of Esperanza Rising. What is it like in California? Use details from the text to students who struggle
support your answer.” with multistep directions.
• Use this opportunity to circulate and listen in to gauge who did the homework reading, how well students understand • Some students whose
the material, and which students are consistently using evidence flags to help them cite specific examples from the text. first language is not
• Remind students that when reading difficult text, it is very important to reread sections multiple times in order to Spanish may have
understand. questions about Spanish
• Distribute a small pile of evidence flags to each triad. words. Consider defining
• Read aloud from the very top of page 90 to the phrase “there was only the prickly sound of dry grass” on page 91, as these words for students.
students follow along.
• Using your document camera or by placing the questions on the board, display just question 1 from the Text-
Dependent Questions for Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes” (see supporting materials).
• Give students five minutes to reread pages 90–91 on their own, with Question 1 in mind, and then talk with their triad.
Encourage them to use their evidence flags to mark evidence that supports their answer.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
CONTRASTING TWO SETTINGS (CHAPTER 6: “LOS MELONES/CANTALOUPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Ask a few groups to report out their answer and their evidence. If necessary, model by adding additional
evidence to clarify and further support what students are saying.
• Praise groups using Triad Talk well. Remind them how discussing their thinking with others can help them
understand hard text.
• Show the students the second text-dependent question. Tell them to listen for and mark evidence that answers
the question as you read aloud.
• Reread the very first paragraph of the novel (page 1) aloud, with students following along.
• Ask students to discuss their answers to Question 2 with their triad, rereading if necessary.
• Circulate to listen in and support as needed. Probe students to cite specific words and phrases describing the
setting in California, reminding them to use context clues to help them figure out the meaning of unknown
words.
• Ask students to continue with the third text-dependent question—reading it aloud, clarifying any terms, thinking
on their own, then talking and marking their answers with evidence flags. As in previous days, students do not
need to write complete answers to the questions at this point.
• As students work, monitor this discussion, making sure all students are participating. Reinforce students who are
following the Triad Talk norms well.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
CONTRASTING TWO SETTINGS (CHAPTER 6: “LOS MELONES/CANTALOUPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Guided Practice: Setting and Metaphor (20 minutes) • For students needing
• Say to students: “We are now going to look a bit deeper at how Esperanza is responding to her new setting of additional supports,
California by analyzing the language that Pam Muñoz Ryan uses in her writing.” consider providing a
• Share the two learning targets with students: “I can identify metaphors in Esperanza Rising.” and “I can interpret sentence starter or frame
figurative language in Esperanza Rising.” Show the students that the word figure is inside the word figurative, and tell them to assist protocols.
that figure is another word for picture. Explain that authors use figurative language to paint a picture that allows them to • For students who
show, not tell, their ideas. struggle with this task,
• Focus on metaphors. Say: “One form of figurative language that authors use is the metaphor. Metaphors make a direct provide a partially filled-
comparison between two or more things. Pam Muñoz Ryan uses many of these in her writing. You may be familiar in graphic organizer.
with some metaphors already.” On the board, write a few examples of metaphors with which most of your students • Consider allowing
will be familiar. (Example might include: “I am a rock,” or “The baby is an angel.” Have students discuss in their triads students to draw their
what these metaphors mean and why authors would choose to use language such as this instead of literal language in observations, ideas, or
their writing. (Listen for students to realize the person who is a rock is strong, solid, and reliable; and that the baby is notes when appropriate.
very sweet, good, and kind.) Students should make comments such as: “Figurative language paints a better picture in • Provide ELLs bilingual
the reader’s mind because the words are more descriptive.” word-for-word
• Have students reread pages 1–3 and pages 90–93 in the book. translation dictionaries
• Ask students to share with their triads what they think one of metaphors is that the author has used in these two or online translation
sections of the book. Call on a few triads to share out. Look for answers that have to do with the heartbeat of the sources such as Google
land. Ask students to point you to evidence in the text that would support this suggestion. Listen for students to Translate or Bing
suggest: the second paragraph on page 1, the second-to-last paragraph on page 2 through page 3, and the second Translate to assist with
paragraph on page 91 through the top of page 92. Reread these passages out loud with students and ask students if comprehension.
the author means there is actually a real heart inside the earth.
• Have students turn and talk with their triads about what they think the author is trying to get the reader to understand
by using this metaphor. Call on a few partners to share. Look for answers such as: “The author wants the reader to
know that the earth is ‘alive’ just like humans. This shows that Esperanza and her papa feel like they are friends with
the earth.”
• Begin an anchor chart, Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising, adding “the heartbeat of the land and
Esperanza” under the heading. Make sure students understand that this idea is a central theme of the book.
• Tell students that they will use this chart to keep track of other metaphors as they keep reading the novel. And they
will talk more about theme in future lessons.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
CONTRASTING TWO SETTINGS (CHAPTER 6: “LOS MELONES/CANTALOUPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Now tell students that they will explore another “big metaphor” in the novel. Have students reread the first
paragraph on page 18, the second paragraph on page 87 and all of page 93. Ask students to identify the big
metaphor in the excerpt. Look for students to share about the river and Esperanza and Miguel’s relationship.
Have students cite specific passages in the text as they give their examples.
• Remind students that they have discussed this before in a previous lesson and it was a question they answered in
Lesson 2.
• Ask students to discuss with their triads what they think the author means by this metaphor and why she chose
to write it this way. Monitor discussions, listening for the literal meaning that there really is a river and they can’t
get to each other and the abstract meaning that Esperanza and Miguel are from two different worlds and classes,
thus separated (and probably not able to marry).
• Add “the river and Esperanza and Miguel’s relationship” to the anchor chart: Big Metaphors and Themes in
Esperanza Rising.
• Ask students to discuss how Esperanza responds differently in the different settings. Cold call some triads to
share. Listen for students to begin to understand that Esperanza is changing, and her relationship with Miguel is
changing. This will be revisited in future lessons.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 7
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
CONTRASTING TWO SETTINGS (CHAPTER 6: “LOS MELONES/CANTALOUPES”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (5 minutes) • Consider allowing students to
• Distribute index cards or half-sheets of paper. Ask students to respond to the following prompt: draw their observations, ideas,
* On page 99, Marta tells Esperanza, “Just so you know, this isn’t Mexico. No one will be waiting on you or notes when appropriate. This
here.” What does she mean? How is Esperanza’s life different in California? Cite details from the text to allows ELLs to participate in a
support your answer. meaningful way.
• Have students begin a page in their journal to take notes on the character Marta. Have students record what
they know about her so far.
• Collect students’ independent writing to check for individual understanding.
B. Debrief (5 minutes) • Debriefing about what they have
• Gather the students in a whole group. Review the learning targets with students. Ask students to share with learned and the protocols used
a partner their progress towards meeting the learning targets. Cold call a few students to share their, or their will help students monitor their
partner’s, discussion of the learning targets with the whole class. Have students suggest additions to the own reading comprehension and
anchor chart Reading Esperanza Rising. Make sure to add to the chart: Reading for gist and interpreting choose strategies that will help
“big metaphors”/figurative language. them succeed.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions” (pages 100–120). Use the Purpose for Reading Chapter 7 • Audio recordings of text can aid
homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific areas in the book that some students in comprehension.
support your answer. Students can pause and replay
confusing portions while they
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the follow along with the text.
day or first thing in the morning. In addition, students likely to need additional support should preread this novel with support
during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods rereading
and focusing on evidence.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 8
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
Comprehension Quiz Entrance Ticket, Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes”

Name:
Date:

1. Who meets Esperanza at the train station in Los Angeles?

2. How many babies are in Isabel’s family?

3. Esperanza rides in a truck on the highway to the camp. What does she see during the drive?

4. How does Marta treat Esperanza when they first meet?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes” (pages 81–99)

1. On page 90, Esperanza is in California, driving to the camp. What specifically does
she see? How does she react to this new setting? Find details from the text to ex-
plain your answer.

2. On page 81, the text says “Esperanza and Mama, their faces shiny with grime and
perspiration, looked tired and wilted as they slumped with even the slight weight of
their valises.” Valise means “suitcase”. Based on context, what do you think the other
italicized words in this sentence might mean? Why might the author have chosen
specifically to use the word “wilted” to describe Esperanza and her mother?

3. At the very start of the novel, we meet Esperanza in Mexico as a little girl, with her
father. How is Mexico different from California? What specific words or phrases in
this section of the novel help you understand the contrast between the two settings?
In other words, what specific language does the author use to help us understand
how different California is from Mexico? Use evidence from the text in your answer.

4. Esperanza meets two new girls in this new setting: Isabel and Marta. Compare and
contrast how the two girls treat Esperanza, citing evidence from the text. What do
you predict will happen between Esperanza and these two girls?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes” (pages 81-99)
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

1. On page 90, Esperanza is in California, driving to the camp. What specifically does she see? How
does she react to this new setting? Find details from the text to explain your answer.

Esperanza saw: ”The brown barren mountains…, the golden hills…, canyons…”. She tries to find her own
connection to the land by listening for the heartbeat (p. 91). “She stretched out on her stomach…” She doesn’t
hear it and it makes her so upset that she passes out (p.92). “She tried to find the place in her life where her
heart was anchored…She felt as if she was falling…Suddenly the world went black.”

2. On page 81, the text says “Esperanza and Mama, their faces shiny with grime and perspiration, looked
tired and wilted as they slumped with even the slight weight of their valises.” Valise means “suitcase”.
Based on context, what do you think the other italicized words in this sentence might mean? Why
might the author have chosen specifically to use the word “wilted” to describe Esperanza and her
mother?

Perspiration might mean sweat because the text says they are shiny and sweat makes you shiny. Wilted and slumped
might mean they are leaning over because the text says something about the weight of the valise so it might be
heavy and if they are sweating because it is hot and they are working hard. Also, the sentence before talks about
body odor and people smell usually when it is hot. The author may have used the word “wilted” because it
makes you think of a flower or plant that is dying or needs water. It makes the reader picture that in their minds.

3. At the very start of the novel, we meet Esperanza in Mexico as a little girl, with her father. How is
Mexico different from California? What specific words or phrases in this section of the novel help you
understand the contrast between the two settings? In other words, what specific language does the
author use to help us understand how different California is from Mexico? Use evidence from the text
in your answer.

The beginning of the chapter states that the land is “dry and the panorama was barren” which is different from
the way the land on the rancho was.
On page 87, it says: “She looked around and was relieved to see that compared to the desert, Los Angeles had
lush palms and green grass…, roses were still blooming…was reassuring and familiar. Maybe it wouldn’t be so
different here.” so it seems that this part of California is not that different form the rancho. However, the land
changes again as indicated on page 90, “the brown barren mountains…dried grasses…golden hills…”.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 6: “Los Melones/Cantaloupes” (pages 81-99)
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

4. Esperanza meets two new girls in this new setting: Isabel and Marta. Begin a new page in your
reading journal about each girl. Compare and contrast how the two girls treat Esperanza, citing
evidence from the text. What do you predict will happen between Esperanza and these two girls?

Isabel is curious and wants to know about Esperanza as well as she tells her about her life. She asks questions
and tells her about where they used to live on page 89. Marta is not as nice. On page 96 she says, “So you’re a
princess who’s come to be a peasant?...What’s a matter silver spoon stuck in your mouth?”. She is insulting her.
Esperanza thinks so too. “What had she done to deserve this girl’s insults?” (p. 97). Isabel even tries to defend
her by saying, “Esperanza’s nice.” On page 99 Marta says to Esperanza, “No one will be waiting on you here.”
and gives her a “phony smile.”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 12

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 6
Purpose for Reading question for Chapter 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions” (pages 100–120)

What new challenges does Esperanza face in the camp? How does she respond?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text
to discuss with your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep
track of your thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 13

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
POINT OF VIEW: COMPARING ESPERANZA’S AND ISABEL’S PERSPECTIVES ABOUT LIFE IN THE CAMP (CHAPTER 7: “LAS CEBOLLAS/ONIONS”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text (two or more characters’ points of view, settings, events). (RL.5.3)
I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language in text. (RL.5.4)
I can use what the text says to help me understand the meaning of a word or phrase. (L.5.4)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza Rising that I have read • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 7: “Las
independently. Cebollas/Onions” (entrance ticket)
• I can use context clues to help me determine why the author chose specific words in Esperanza • Observation of placement of evidence
Rising. flags (homework and classwork)
• I can determine what metaphors the symbols of the chapter titles represent in Esperanza Rising. • Character T-chart (Isabel)
• I can explain how Isabel responds to challenges in her life. • Triad discussion
• I can describe how the points of view of Esperanza and Isabel influence the description of • Exit ticket: Independent answer to text-
events. dependent question
• I can create a visual image of the setting of Esperanza Rising.

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • This lesson includes a close reading of pages 116–117, which is
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 7: Las done as a full class. Be sure to give students time to think, then talk
Cebollas/Onions (5 minutes) as triads, during this sequence. The purpose of this guided practice
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) is to simultaneously reinforce four aspects of this novel study: the
2. Work Time importance of chapter titles, the author’s use of metaphor, working
A. The Onion: Close Reading of Pages 116–117 (20 minutes) with vocabulary (the author’s careful word choice, and students’
B. Isabel: Answering Questions in Triads (8 minutes) growing ability to figure out words in context), and how Esperanza is
C. Understanding Point of View by Visualizing (15 minutes) responding to challenges.
3. Closing and Assessment • In advance: Read and review the text-dependent questions for Chapter
A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (5 minutes) 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions” (see supporting materials). Two copies of
B. Debrief (2 minutes) the questions are provided: a blank to display for students, and one
with answers for teacher reference.
• Students may benefit from instruction or review: camp (as in migrant
farm camp)
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
POINT OF VIEW: COMPARING ESPERANZA’S AND ISABEL’S PERSPECTIVES ABOUT LIFE IN THE CAMP (CHAPTER 7: “LAS CEBOLLAS/ONIONS”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

describe, influence, create, passage, cite, literary • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
elements, point of view, perspective, visualize, willing • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions” (entrance ticket)
(as in “will”), tittered, humiliation, ridicule • Anchor charts: Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising (begun in Lesson 6), Inferring
by Using Text Clues (begun in Lesson 3), and Reading Esperanza Rising (begun in Lesson 2)
• Evidence flags
• Character T-chart (sample)
• Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions”
• Index cards and half-sheets of paper

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions” (5 minutes) • Consider providing extra time for tasks and
• Students should be seated with their triad. answering questions in class discussions. ELLs
• Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz. Collect students’ quizzes to review/assess. often need more time to process and translate
information.
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) • Visuals can help students comprehend questions
• After the quiz, lead the class in a whole group session, cold calling students to elicit a summary and discussions. Chart main points in answers
of the chapter that was read for homework. Start with an open-ended question, such as: and post all questions asked to students.
“What was this chapter mostly about? What happened in this chapter?” and then ask more
detailed text-dependent questions as necessary. Encourage students to cite evidence or point to
specific passages. Note which students are able to answer the questions, and the quality of the
responses.
• Tell students they will think more about why Pam Muñoz Ryan titled this chapter “Onions”
during the Work Time today.
• Return students’ Entrance and Exit tickets from Lesson 6. Address any major misconceptions.
Ask students to hold on to these Entrance and Exit tickets: they will want to refer to them for
their writing later in the unit.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
POINT OF VIEW: COMPARING ESPERANZA’S AND ISABEL’S PERSPECTIVES ABOUT LIFE IN THE CAMP (CHAPTER 7: “LAS CEBOLLAS/ONIONS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. The Onion: Close Reading of Pages 116–117 (20 minutes) • All students developing
• Direct students’ attention to the title of the chapter: “Las Cebollas/Onions.” By now students should be familiar with academic language will
the pattern for chapter titles: they are all about a fruit or vegetable in the harvest, and relate to a main event or idea benefit from direct
in the chapter. Ask students to talk briefly with their triad about why Pam Muñoz Ryan might have titled Chapter 7 instruction of academic
“Onions.” vocabulary.
• Invite a few students to share out something one of their triad members said. Listen for students to notice that there • ELL language acquisition
are onion peels all over the camp, and it is Esperanza’s job to sweep them; she struggles with this task, which clearly is facilitated by
shows the contrast between her life as a rich girl in Mexico and her life as a new campesino in California. Students may interacting with native
also notice that people in the camp eat beans and onions for dinner (page 111). English speakers who
• Introduce today’s focus by reading out loud the learning targets: “I can use context clues to help me determine why provide models of
the author chose specific words in Esperanza Rising,” and “I can determine what metaphors the symbols of the language.
chapter titles represent in Esperanza Rising.” Ask students to focus on the words context clues and have them share what • ELLs may have an
they know about those words. Look for responses that explain that they will be looking for hints about what the overwhelming amount
words might mean in the text around the unknown words. Have students share with a partner what they know about of new vocabulary
metaphors. Refer them to the anchor chart Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising that they began words. Consider
creating together in the previous lesson (Lesson 6). Explain that symbols are another form of figurative language that targeting a few words for
authors use to help paint pictures in readers minds, like metaphors. them to focus on or ask
• Tell students that they have been doing good work discussing the text in triads, and that today they are going to discuss them to make cards for a
one key passage as a group. certain amount.
• Read aloud pages 116–117 as students follow along in their text. • When students are using
• Ask a series of text-dependent questions to the whole class. dictionaries, encourage
• Note: be sure to give students time to think, reread, and turn and talk with their triads as needed. ELLs to use a bilingual
* What is Esperanza’s job in the camp? dictionary if they are
* What does visualize the memory mean? literate in their L1.
* What is Esperanza doing with her mind in order to help her figure out how to sweep?
• Ask students to think, then talk as triads, about this last question. Invite a few groups to share out.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
POINT OF VIEW: COMPARING ESPERANZA’S AND ISABEL’S PERSPECTIVES ABOUT LIFE IN THE CAMP (CHAPTER 7: “LAS CEBOLLAS/ONIONS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Direct students to page 117, and ask more text-dependent questions:
* What does tittering mean?” How can we figure out based on the context?
* How does Esperanza feel after Marta calls her Cinderella? What does she do?
* What specific words in the text help you know what Esperanza is feeling? (Help students notice the words humiliation
and ridicule, which they should be able to define in context.)
• Ask students to think, then talk as triads, about this question. Invite a few new groups to share out.
• Point out to students that the author is making very careful choices about what words to use, in order to help readers
understand what Esperanza is feeling. They should continue to pay attention to this as they read.
• Remind students of the work they have been doing, drawing inferences about characters based on how they respond to
challenges. Direct students’ attention to the Inferring by Using Text Clues anchor chart (begun in Lesson 3). On
this chart, add several student examples of what they inferred about Esperanza.
• Ask students to add an evidence flag on the first page of Chapter 7, summarizing why it is titled “Onions.”
B. Isabel: Answering Questions in Triads (8 minutes) • Students needing
• Have students begin a new page in their reading journal about Isabel. Ask students to write at the top of the additional supports
page any basic descriptions of Isabel. Then have students create a Character T-chart: left-hand column for the may benefit from
challenges Isabel faces, and right-hand column for how she responds. (See the example in supporting materials.) partially filled-in graphic
• Distribute the Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions” to guide students’ work. organizers.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
POINT OF VIEW: COMPARING ESPERANZA’S AND ISABEL’S PERSPECTIVES ABOUT LIFE IN THE CAMP (CHAPTER 7: “LAS CEBOLLAS/ONIONS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Understanding Point of View and Visualizing (15 minutes) • When discussion of
• Introduce the learning target: “I can describe how the points of view of Esperanza and other characters influence the complex content is
description of events.” Ask the students how the school would look to an ant, and to someone flying overhead in an required, consider
airplane. Then ask how a child who really didn’t want to go to school might describe school. Explain how a person’s partnering an ELL with
point of view or perspective affects how they see and how they describe things. a student who speaks
• Read aloud the first two paragraphs of the chapter “Las Cebollas” (page 100). Tell students to close their eyes and the same L1. This can
listen as you read the description of the camp. Give students a blank piece of paper, and ask them to quickly sketch let students have more
what they saw in their mind’s eye. meaningful discussions
• Ask whether the description in the book sounds like it is through Esperanza’s eyes or Isabel’s eyes. Ask: and clarify points in their
* “How would it be different if Isabel were describing it?” L1.
• Assign half the triads to pretend that they are Esperanza, and the other half to pretend they are Isabel. Give students
five minutes to think, reread, and use their evidence flags to mark important passages.
• Pair one “Esperanza” student with one “Isabel” student and have them to talk to each other about what the camp
looks like from each other’s point of view. Remind students to justify their thinking with evidence from the text.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
POINT OF VIEW: COMPARING ESPERANZA’S AND ISABEL’S PERSPECTIVES ABOUT LIFE IN THE CAMP (CHAPTER 7: “LAS CEBOLLAS/ONIONS”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (8 minutes) • When ELLs are asked to produce
• Distribute index cards or half-sheets of paper. Ask students to respond to the prompt: language, consider providing
• “How does Esperanza respond differently to the challenges of life in the camp than Isabel does? Based on a sentence frame or starter, or
these differences, what do you think the author wants us to infer about Esperanza’s character? Use specific a cloze sentence to assist with
details from the text in your answer.” language production and provide
• Collect students’ independent writing to check for individual understanding. the structure required.
B. Debrief (2 minutes) • Debriefing about what they have
• Review the learning targets with students by having a few students read them out loud one at a time. Ask learned and the protocols used will
students to choose one that they feel they really accomplished during this lesson and why. Have them share help students monitor their own
with a partner. Then ask them to think about one of the targets that they may have struggled on or had a learning.
more difficult time with and why. Ask them to then share their thoughts with the same partner. If there is
time, have a few students share out. Have students give suggestions to add to the anchor chart Reading
Esperanza Rising. Make sure to add: Creating visual images.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 8, “Las Almendras/Almonds” (pages 121–138), in Esperanza Rising. Use the Purpose for • Audio recordings of text can
Reading Chapter 8 homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific aid in comprehension. Students
areas in the book that support your answer. can pause and replay confusing
portions while they follow along
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the with the text.
day or first thing in the morning. In addition, students likely to need additional support should preread this novel with support
during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods rereading
and focusing on evidence.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
Comprehension Quiz Entrance Ticket , Chapter 7: “Las Cebollas/Onions”

Name:
Date:

1. What does Esperanza think of their cabin when she first sees it?

2. What work will Esperanza be doing?

3. What does Mama do to her hair?

4. What happens when Esperanza tries to sweep the platform?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 7:“Las Cebollas/Onions” (pp.100-120)

1. Reread 110-113. How does Isabel respond to having to stay home and not work while
everyone else works? Cite specific details from the text that would show how Isabel
handles the situation.

2. During this chapter, Isabel must teach Esperanza many things even though she is
younger and has had a less privileged life. How does she feel towards Esperanza?
Cite specific examples from the text.

3. On page 105, Isabel responds to Esperanza, “De veras?” after Esperanza tells her
that they are still rich and they will not be staying there long. What does that phrase
mean? How do you know? How does Isabel react to Esperanza? Be sure to cite evi-
dence from the text.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 7:“Las Cebollas/Onions” (pp.100-120)
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

1. Reread 110-113. How does Isabel respond to having to stay home and not work while everyone else
works? Cite specific details from the text that would show how Isabel handles the situation.

Isabel takes on a lot of responsibility and seems to be mature for her age. She takes care of the babies by
feeding them and keeping them clean. (p.110) Isabel was friends with women who were older than her. “Isabel
introduced Esperanza to Irene and Melina, two women who were hanging clothes to dry…already had a baby
of her own.” (p.112)

2. During this chapter, Isabel must teach Esperanza many things even though she is younger and has
had a less privileged life. How does Isabel react towards having to teach Esperanza so many things?
Cite specific examples from the text.

Isabel is worried that Esperanza doesn’t know all of the things to do. “Isabels’ eyes got bigger and she looked
worried.” (p.115) She thinks Esperanza can do all the things that she does. She teaches her how to change
diapers, feed the babies, where everything is in the camp, and how to wash clothes. Isabel is still curious about
Esperanza’s life in Mexico. “Will you tell me about your life as a queen?” (p.120)

3. On page 105, Isabel responds to Esperanza, “De veras?” after Esperanza tells her that they are still rich
and they will not be staying there long. What does that phrase mean? How do you know? How does
Isabel react to Esperanza? Be sure to cite evidence from the text.

“De vera” means that “is that true” because Esperanza responds to her, “Yes, it is the truth…” Isabel just
“tiptoes out of the room and shuts the door” which means she knows that Esperanza is having a hard time and
does not want to bother her.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
Character T Chart

Challenges: Response:

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 7
Purpose for Reading question for Chapter 8: “Las Almendras/Almonds” (pages 121-138)

What new challenges does Esperanza face in the camp? How does she respond?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
discuss with your triad. You do not need to write complete answers.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
UNDERSTANDING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes) in text. (RL.5.4)
I can use quotes to explain the meaning of literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can determine a theme based on details in the text. (RL.5.2)
I can use quotes to support my inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can interpret two big metaphors in Chapter 8, “Las • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 8: “Las Almendras/Almonds” (entrance
Almendras,” in Esperanza Rising. ticket)
• I can explain what it means to find the theme of a book or • Observation of placement of evidence flags (homework and classwork)
story. • Triad discussion
• I can identify themes in Esperanza Rising. • Exit ticket: Independent answer to text-dependent question

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance, review Esperanza Rising (including but not limited to Chapter 8: “Las
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Almendras”) noting examples of “big metaphors” (symbols) and themes.
Chapter 8: “Las Almendras” (5 minutes) • Read and review the text dependent questions for Chapter 8: “Las Almendras/Almonds”
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (see supporting materials). Two copies of the questions are provided: a blank to display
(5 minutes) for students, and one with answers for teacher reference.
C. Adding to Anchor Chart: “Reading Esperanza • This lesson goes into more depth on the concept of theme, which was briefly touched on
Rising” (5 minutes) in Lesson 6. Students may not have time in Part B of work time to address all four central
2. Work Time “big metaphors” (symbols) and their thematic significance. This is fine; students will
A. Big Metaphors: Answering Questions in return to this idea in future lessons. Be sure to save 10 minutes for students to prepare
Triads (15 minutes) for the Mid-Unit 2 Assessment, which will occur in Lesson 9.
B. Inferring Themes in Esperanza Rising • This lesson uses the “big metaphors” as a more student-friendly way to begin to think
(25 minutes) about the central symbols in the novel. Feel free to introduce the concept of a “symbol”
3. Closing and Assessment if appropriate for your students. (See teaching note in Lesson 6.)
A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (5 minutes) • Students may benefit from instruction or review of these terms: perseverance, careless,
rosebush, crochet

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
UNDERSTANDING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

interpret, identify, figurative language, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
metaphor, symbol; flan, bloom, meek, • Evidence flags
wages • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 8: “Las Almendras” (entrance ticket)
• Anchor charts: Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising (begun in Lesson 6) and Reading Esperanza
Rising (from previous lessons),
• Other anchor charts (for reference) Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising (begun in Lesson 3),
Inferring by Using Text Clues (begun in Lesson 3), and Character T-charts (begun in Lesson 4)
• Index cards or half-sheets of paper

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 8: “Las Almendras” (5 minutes) • Consider providing extra time for
• Students should sit with their triad. Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz: Entrance ticket. tasks and answering questions in class
As usual, collect this quiz to assess whether students are reading and understanding the text. discussions. ELLs often need more time
to process and translate information.
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) • Consider charting the main events of
• Using a cold-call strategy, invite some students to give a summary of the chapter that was read for the chapter. Providing a visual will assist
homework. You may start with an open-ended question, such as: “What happened in this chapter?” students needing additional supports in
and then ask more detailed text-dependent questions as necessary. Commend students who refer following the discussion.
directly to the text when they provide their summaries. Remind students that they have had lots of
practice thinking about what each chapter is mostly about. They will get to demonstrate how well they
can do this on their own during the Mid-Unit 2 assessment tomorrow (Lesson 9).
• Ask students if they can predict what question you will ask them next. Listen for students to say
something about thinking about the title of the chapter. Commend them, and ask someone to explain
why Chapter 8 is titled “Las Almendras.” Listen for students to point out that they shell almonds
(page 127), which Isabel’s mother then uses to bake a flan or custard, a sweet dessert. Ask students to
add an evidence flag on the first page of Chapter 9, on which they write a phrase that will help them
summarize the main events in this chapter and remember why it was titled “Almonds.”
• Return students’ Entrance and Exit tickets from Lesson 7. Address major misconceptions. Ask
students to hold on to these Entrance and Exit tickets to use for future writing.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
UNDERSTANDING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Adding to Anchor Chart: Reading Esperanza Rising (5 minutes) • Provide nonlinguistic symbols
• Remind students that they have been building a strong routine during their study of the first half of the novel. for key words in the target (e.g.,
Direct their attention to the anchor chart Reading Esperanza Rising from the previous lessons. Ask students to book for reading, a lightbulb
talk briefly with their triad about some of the things they have been doing as readers to make sense of this for idea) to be referred back
novel. to throughout the module.
• Ask students to share out; add strong comments to the anchor chart that are not already listed. Listen for Choose a symbol that makes
students to comment on the following: sense to you and your class.
* Rereading
* Thinking about what a chapter is mostly about
* Paying attention to chapter titles
* Using context clues to figure out new words
* Inferring using text clues
* Inferring about characters
* Thinking about the challenges characters are facing, and how they overcome
* Thinking about metaphors
* Making connections to the UDHR
• Point out to students that some of these strategies are things they would use when reading any novel; others are
specific to Esperanza Rising.
• Congratulate students on all they are learning about reading challenging text. Remind them that tomorrow they
will get to “show what they know” on their own, on the Mid-Unit 2 assessment.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
UNDERSTANDING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Big Metaphors: Answering Questions in Triads (15 minutes) • Visuals can help ELLs
• Choose a student to read the learning target aloud: “I can interpret two important big metaphors in Chapter 8, ‘Las comprehend questions
Almendras,’ in Esperanza Rising.” Point out to students that they already identified some metaphors in the novel in and discussions. Chart
previous lessons. Briefly review the term metaphor, emphasizing that it is figurative language authors use to make a direct main points in answers
comparison between two things, in order to show something important. and post all questions
• Distribute a small stack of evidence flags to each triad. asked to class. Consider
• Read aloud pages 122–124, as students follow along. drawing small pictures to
• Using your document camera or by placing the questions on the board, display just question 1 from the Text- illustrate your examples.
Dependent Questions for Chapter 8: “Las Almendras/Almonds” (see supporting materials).
• Refer students to pages 72–73 to help them with Question 1. Have them reread these pages on their own, with
Question 1 in mind, and then talk with their triad. Encourage them to use their evidence flags to mark evidence that
supports their answer.
• Ask a few groups to report out their answer and their evidence. If necessary, model by adding additional evidence to
clarify and further support what students are saying.
• Praise groups using Triad Talk well. Remind them how discussing their thinking with others can help them
understand hard text.
• Show the students the second text-dependent question. Tell them to listen for and mark evidence that answers the
question as you read aloud.
• Reread the long paragraph on page 128 that begins, “‘I know,’ said Esperanza …” aloud, with students following along.
Have them think about Question 2.
• Ask students to discuss their answers to Question 2 with their triad, rereading if necessary.
• Circulate to listen in and support as needed. Probe students to cite specific words and phrases describing how
Esperanza is like an almond, reminding them to use context clues to help them figure out the meaning of unknown
words.
• Ask students to continue with the third text-dependent question: make sure they are reading it aloud, clarifying any
terms, thinking on their own, then talking and marking their answers with evidence flags. As in previous days, students
do not need to write complete answers to the questions at this point.
• As students work, monitor this discussion, making sure all students are participating. Reinforce students who are
following the Triad Talk norms well.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
UNDERSTANDING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Inferring Themes in Esperanza Rising (20 minutes) • Be aware of students’
• To close students’ analysis of the excerpts in Chapter 8 about the rose and the kitten, ask students to go “vote with cultural backgrounds
their feet.” and that they may not be
* They should move to the back left corner if they think life is like a rose. familiar with the fable
* They should move to the back right corner of the room if they agree with Marta that the poor workers are like you are explaining. Some
kittens. students may know a
* They should stay in the center of the room if they are not sure. similar fable from their
• Once students get to the corner of their choice, they should discuss their reasons with another who voted the same culture.
way. Students should be encouraged to use specific details from the text to support their opinions. • Consider partnering
• Transition from the topic of figurative language to that of inferring theme by explaining that literature contains both an ELL with a student
“little metaphors,” that might show up in a sentence, and “big metaphors” (often symbols) such as the metaphors who speaks the same
about the rose and the kitten they just talked about. The big metaphors can point the way toward a book’s big ideas, or L1, when discussion
themes. of complex content is
• To illustrate, use the example of a fable that the students are likely to know, such as “The Tortoise and the Hare,” required. This can allow
explaining that the story is a big metaphor, where the animals represent a slow and steady person and a fast but careless students to have more
person. The big idea, or theme, of the fable is that perseverance pays off. Give further examples of what the word meaningful discussions
theme means, as necessary. and clarify points in their
• Tell the students that today they will briefly begin to think about themes in Esperanza Rising, using the big metaphors L1
to help find them. Read the learning target aloud: “I can identify the themes in Esperanza Rising.” Explain that one
metaphor that runs through the book is that life is a rosebush. Tell the students that they should be thinking about
what theme the passages suggest.
• Ask students to list some of the big metaphors/symbols they have examined so far. Listen for the following:
* The earth’s heartbeat (page 2) (Lesson 6)
* The river between Esperanza and Miguel (page 18) (Lesson 6)
* The rose bush (bottom of page 8 to top of page 9)
* The kitten (page 132)
• Read aloud the first excerpt, briefly, as students follow along. Review the first passage briefly (students worked with this
during Lesson 6 as well). Review briefly:
* “What is the author trying to show when she writes that Esperanza can no longer hear the earth’s heartbeat?”
* “What might be the main message or theme that this passage suggests?”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
UNDERSTANDING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Invite students to share out, and chart their comments on the anchor chart Big Metaphors and Themes in
Esperanza Rising (begun in Lesson 6).
• Repeat as time permits for each of the other three central metaphors. Note that students will return to this Big
Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising anchor chart in future lessons, so it is fine if their work today is just
beginning. Tell students that as they keep reading, they should keep watching for the “big metaphors” and how those
might help us understand some of the themes of the novel.

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (5 minutes) • When ELLs are asked to produce language, consider
• Remind students of the learning targets for today’s lesson by reading them out loud or providing a sentence frame, sentence starter, or a cloze
having a student do so. sentence to assist with language production and the
• Distribute index cards or half-sheets of paper. Ask students to respond to the structure required.
following prompt:
* “Choose to write about either the rose bush or the kitten. Why is this ‘big metaphor’
so important in the story? What message is the author trying to give us as readers?”
• Collect students’ independent writing to check for individual understanding.
• Remind students that tomorrow they will do their Mid-Unit 2 assessment. See Meeting
Students’ Needs note, below.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 9: Las Ciruelas/Plums (pages 139–157) in Esperanza Rising. Use the • tudents are told to read all of SChapter 9 to prepare for
Purpose for Reading Chapter 9 homework question to focus your reading. Use the Mid-Unit 2 assessment. However, the assessment
evidence flags to mark the specific areas in the book that support your answer. actually only directly addresses pages 139–143 and 154–
Remember that tomorrow is your Mid-Unit 2 assessment on this chapter. 157. If necessary and appropriate, tell some struggling
readers to focus their homework reading on these
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional discrete sections of the chapter.
reading period later in the day or first thing in the morning. In addition, students likely to need • Audio recordings of text can aid some students
additional support should preread this novel with support during intervention or other support periods. in comprehension. Students can pause and replay
Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods rereading and focusing on confusing portions while they follow along with the
evidence. text.
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
Comprehension Quiz Entrance Ticket , Chapter 6: “Las Almendras/Almonds”

Name:
Date:

1. What is the surprise that Alfonso and Miguel have for Isabel and Mama?

2. What does Esperanza learn to do by herself for the first time in this chapter?

3. What does Isabel want to bring home from the fiesta?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 8: “Las Almendras/Almonds” (pages 121-138)

1. In this chapter, Miguel has a surprise for Esperanza and Mama, Papa’s roses. What
clues were in the text in a previous chapter, that might have indicated that Miguel
was taking care of the rose plants? What does the author mean by the sentence:
“Now if they bloomed she could drink the memories of the roses that had known
Papa.”? How is life like a rose? Be sure to give details from the text in your answer.

2. On page 128, Esperanza is helping to shell almonds. The author describes an al-
mond as “…like two hands pressed together, protecting something inside.” Then as
Esperanza cracks one open the text says: “…then pulled the meat from its defens-
es…”. How is the almond a metaphor for Esperanza? Be sure to use details from
the text in your answer.

3. On pages 131-133, Marta is using kittens as a metaphor for the farmers. How are the
farmers like the kittens? How does Marta suggest they fight being “like kittens”?
Use specific evidence form the text in your answer.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 8: “Las Almendras/Almonds” (pages 121-138)
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

1. In this chapter, Miguel has a surprise for Esperanza and Mama, Papa’s roses. What clues were in the
text in a previous chapter, that might have indicated that Miguel was taking care of the rose plants?
What does the author mean by the sentence: “Now if they bloomed she could drink the memories of
the roses that had known Papa.”? How is life like a rose? Be sure to give details from the text in your
answer.

On pages 72-73, when they were traveling by train to the United States the text says, “At every stop, Miguel and
Alfonso hurried off the train with a package. From the window, Esperanza watched them go to a water trough,
unwrap an oilcloth, and dampen the bundle inside.” They needed to keep the rose plants wet so they would not
die. When Esperanza asked about it, he said she would find out when they got there. The rose plants were the
same ones that Papa planted so when they bloomed into flowers they would be the same roses that Papa would
have seen. Life is like a rose because it can go through some hard times, like having to move and not having
enough water, but it can still come back and still grow, like Miguel says to Esperanza about her rose on page
124. “So you can climb.”

2. On page 128, Esperanza is helping to shell almonds. The author describes an almond as “…like two
hands pressed together, protecting something inside.” Then as Esperanza cracks one open the text
says: “…then pulled the meat form its defenses…”. How is the almond a metaphor for Esperanza? Be
sure to use details from the text in your answer.

Isabel asks Esperanza if she is going to the party and Esperanza is not sure because she is still embarrassed by
what happened on the platform. Isabel tells her that her mother says it is best to get over it and “just laugh”.
Esperanza is like an almond because her feelings got hurt on the inside when she felt embarrassed. Her defenses
are like laughing when someone makes fun of her because then they can’t hurt her as much. Esperanza is also
like an almond because she is having to get stronger everyday just like the outside shell.

3. On pages 131-133, Marta is using kittens as a metaphor for the farmers. How are the farmers like the
kittens? How does Marta suggest they fight being “like kittens”? Use specific evidence form the text
in your answer.

The text says on page 132: “Small, meek animals. And that is how they treat us because we don’t speak up.”,
referring to the farmers like kittens. Marta then goes on to say: “We are going to strike in two weeks…For
higher wages and better housing.” Some farmers are afraid to strike and don’t think it has anything to do with
them. “Maybe all the cat wants to do is feed his family…We don’t pick cotton on this farm!” Marta feels all of
the farmers should stick together. “…then maybe it will help us all!”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 8
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Chapter 9: “Las Ciruelas/Plums” (pages 139–157)

How is Esperanza changing?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
use on your Mid-Unit 2 Assessment. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework;
just keep track of your thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
MID-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT AND DISCUSSING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING: (CHAPTER 9: “LAS CIRUELAS/PLUMS”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can use quotes to explain the meaning of literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can use quotes to support my inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes) in text. (RL.5.4)
I can determine a theme based on details in the text. (RL.5.2)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text (two or more characters’ points of view, settings, events). (RL.5.3)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can use context clues to help me determine why the author chose specific words in Esperanza • Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing
Rising. Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own
• I can explain how characters respond to challenges in their lives. • Triad/quad discussion
• I can describe how the points of view of Esperanza and other characters influence the
description of events.
• I can interpret the ‘blanket’ metaphor in Esperanza Rising.
• I can identify themes in Esperanza Rising.

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • Review Chapter 9, “Las Papas/Plums” from Esperanza Rising, and the
A. Engaging the Reader: Revisiting the “Reading Esperanza Rising” answers to Mid-Unit 2 Assessment.
Anchor Chart” (5 minutes) • There is no comprehension quiz entrance ticket today, since students
2. Work Time complete the Mid-Unit 2 Assessment.
A. Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising • Review Final Word Seminar protocol (see Appendix)
on My Own (30 minutes) • The Final Word Seminar protocol was chosen intentionally to provide
B. Final Word Seminar on Metaphors and Themes (20 minutes) less scaffolding to students than the specific the text-dependent
C. Optional Review of Using Context Clues (if time permits) (5 questions students have used in previous lessons to guide their triad
minutes) discussion. The expectation is that students become increasingly
3. Closing and Assessment independent with finding relevant evidence to support their analysis.
A. Debrief (5 minutes) • Students may be familiar with some of the vocabulary terms identified
for this lesson; many of these words were chosen specifically to help
students focus on the blanket metaphor more carefully.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
MID-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT AND DISCUSSING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING: (CHAPTER 9: “LAS CIRUELAS/PLUMS”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

crochet, lopsided, bunched up, protectively, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
unpredictable, correspondence, zigzag • Evidence flags
• Anchor charts: Reading Esperanza Rising (begun in Lesson 2) and Big Metaphors and
Themes in Esperanza Rising (begun in Lesson 6)
• Mid-Unit 2 Assessment

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Engaging the Reader: Revisiting the Reading Esperanza Rising Anchor Chart
(5 minutes)
• Let students know that they will be taking the Mid-Unit 2 Assessment today and it will check their
progress on the learning targets they have been using during this unit. Briefly read out loud or have
students read the learning targets. Ask students to turn and talk to remind themselves of some of the
activities they have done to address each learning target.
• Make sure students understand that they are ready for this assessment because they have been
practicing all the skills that they will need to show success. Point out the Reading Esperanza
Rising anchor chart, briefly reading out loud the list that they created as a class. Tell students that
this assessment will have questions that look very similar to questions they have thought about during
previous lessons.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
MID-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT AND DISCUSSING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING: (CHAPTER 9: “LAS CIRUELAS/PLUMS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own (30 minutes) • Some students may be provided
• Remind students that today they get to “show what they know” about how to read Esperanza Rising. extended time to complete tasks.
• Distribute the Mid-Unit 2 Assessment (see supporting materials) and read instructions to students out ELLs are allowed extended time on
loud. Address any clarifying questions. New York State tests.
• Tell students they have approximately 25 minutes to complete the assessment. They may use their novel, • Since this assessment is to gauge
notes, and evidence flags. They may also refer to the anchor charts in the room if that is helpful. students’ reading, not writing,
• Circulate among students as they take the assessment, providing encouragement and reminders about students may dictate their answers if
using the novel to find evidence to support their answers. appropriate. (See Unit Overview, Mid-
• Collect students’ Mid-Unit 2 Assessment to formally evaluate. Unit 2 Assessment for elaboration on
this point.)
• ELLs may use bilingual translation
dictionaries.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
MID-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT AND DISCUSSING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING: (CHAPTER 9: “LAS CIRUELAS/PLUMS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Final Word Seminar on Metaphors and Themes (20 minutes) • ELL language acquisition
• Return students’ entrance and exit tickets and from Lesson 8. Address any major misconceptions. Ask students to is facilitated by interacting
hold on to these entrance and exit tickets: they will want to refer to them for their writing later in the unit. with native speakers of
• Ask students to sit with their triads. English who provide
• Explain to students that today they are going to continue to work on the learning target of finding the big models of language.
metaphors that help them understand the themes in Esperanza Rising. Remind them that yesterday they studied • Consider providing
two examples of figurative language in the book: the metaphor that life is a rosebush and that the poor workers smaller chunks of text
are kittens. They also briefly revisited the metaphors about the earth’s heartbeat and the river separately Esperanza (sometimes just a few
and Miguel. sentences) for students
• Today they will practice working with another “big metaphor” that runs through the book: Abuelita’s blanket. who struggle reading large
• Assign students the following sections of text to read independently: portions of text. Teachers
* From the break on page 12 to the second paragraph on page 15 can check in on students’
* From the middle of page 51 to the end of the page thinking as they write or
• Ask students to consider these questions as they read: speak about their text.
* “Is Abuelita’s blanket a metaphor? For what?” • For students needing
* “What big idea (theme) of the book is related to the blanket?” additional supports,
• Instruct them to use their evidence flags to mark key passages, and take notes on an index card to prepare for a consider providing a
discussion. partially filled-in note-
• After 10 minutes of silent reading, have students begin a discussion of the text. Remind students that in any catcher.
discussion of a text, they need to support their statements with evidence. Suggest sentence starters such as: “One • Provide a visual of the
reason I think this is . . .” or “ The evidence is . . .” and “I believe this because the book says . . .” sentence starter on a card
• Briefly review the Final Word protocol. or posted in the room.
1. Someone shares one of the pieces of evidence they identified. • Provide anchor charts for
2. Each person in the group comments on the evidence in one sentence. processes and protocols.
3. The person who shares gets to give the last comment about his/her evidence. This allows students
4. Repeat the process until all members of the group get to share at least one of their pieces of evidence. who struggle with multi-
• Ask students to use this protocol in small groups to discuss their ideas about the reading. Take only about four step directions to fully
minutes per round, so that the discussion lasts no more than 12 minutes. participate.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
MID-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT AND DISCUSSING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING: (CHAPTER 9: “LAS CIRUELAS/PLUMS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Optional: Review of Using Context Clues (If Time Permits) (5 minutes) • Increasing interactions
• Note: Depending on how quickly students completed their Mid-Unit 2 Assessment, there may be time to reinforce with vocabulary in
students’ work with context clues. context increases the rate
• If time permits, briefly review key vocabulary from the passage students just read. Ask students what the following of vocabulary acquisition
words mean, and how they figured them out: crochet (13), lopsided (15), bunched up (15), zigzag (51) for ELLs.
• Discuss the morphology of protectively and unpredictable, focusing students on the word roots protect and predict as well as
the prefix un-.
• Help students see how these words are important:
* “How does the word protectively help us understand the relationship between Hortensia and Esperanza’s family?
(Listen for students to notice Hortensia’s devotion to the family.
• Guide students toward noticing that Hortensia is of Indian heritage, which in this era often meant of a lower social
class.)
* “Why does Abuelita tell Esperanza that the mail is unpredictable? (Listen for students to recognize that Esperanza has
not been able to get letters from Abuelita. This has been one of the challenges she has faced throughout the novel:
missing her grandmother.)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
MID-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT AND DISCUSSING THEMES IN ESPERANZA RISING: (CHAPTER 9: “LAS CIRUELAS/PLUMS”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Debrief (5 minutes) • When ELLs are asked to produce
• Remind students that they are continuing to work on the learning targets: “I can interpret big metaphors in language, consider providing a
Esperanza Rising,” and “I can identify the themes in Esperanza Rising.” sentence frame, sentence starter,
• Revisit the Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising anchor chart, adding any new metaphors or a cloze sentence to assist with
or marking the metaphors as themes. language production and the
• Ask students to talk in their triads about any new themes they can articulate. Invite representatives from structure required.
triads to share out, charting students’ comments.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 10, “Las Papas/Potatoes” (pages 158–179), in Esperanza Rising. While reading, note • When possible, provide text or
examples of where a character’s human rights might be challenged and their responses. Use the Purpose materials found in students’ L1,
for Reading Chapter 10 homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the while still exposing the student to
specific areas in the book that support your answer. English text.
• Audio recordings of text can aid
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the some students in comprehension.
day or first thing in the morning. In addition, students likely to need additional support should preread this novel with support Students can pause and replay
during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods re-reading confusing portions while they
and focusing on evidence. follow along with the text.

Note: Be sure to have formally assessed students’ Mid-Unit Assessments by Lesson 13. In that lesson, there is time for students
to review their work.

Note: If the triad conversations are growing “stale,” consider forming new groups for the second half of the novel. If you do
form new triads, be sure to review the Norms for Triad Talk, etc.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own

Name:
Date:

For homework last night, you read Chapter 9: “Las Ciruelas/Plums”. On this assessment, you get a
chance to show what you know about how to analyze this novel on your own. You may use your novel,
your evidence flags, and any notes in your journals from our work together for this assessment.

1. What happens in this chapter? Just write a 1-2 sentence summary: what is this chapter mostly about?

2. This chapter is titled “Las Ciruelas/Plums.” Why do you think Pam Munoz Ryan chose this title for the chapter?
How does this title relate to the main events or ideas in this chapter?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own

3. Re-read pages 139-143 and think about the challenge Esperanza is facing during this point in the novel. Complete
the T-Chart below, citing evidence
from the text.

Challenge: Responses:

4. Make an inference: What does Esperanza’s response to the challenge on page 139–143 tell us about her as a
person? Cite evidence from the text to sup port your answer.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own

Read the following excerpt from page 157, and then answer the questions below:
“Esperanza felt Alfonso behind her, putting his hands on her shoulder. She felt the blood drain from her
face. She wanted to tell the doctor that she could not lose Mama, too. That she had already lost Papa and
that Abuelita was too far away. Her voice strangled with fear. All she could do was whisper the doctor’s
uncertain words ‘If she survives.’”
5. In one sentence, summarize the challenge Esperanza and her Mama are facing at this point in the novel.

There are two examples of figurative language in this excerpt.

6. What does it mean to have blood drain from your face?

7. What does it mean to say Esperanza’s voice was strangled with fear?

8. How does the author’s use of the words drain and strangled to help us understand how Esperanza is feeling?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own

Name:
Date:

For homework last night, you read Chapter 9: “Las Ciruelas/Plums.” On this assessment, you get a
chance to show what you know about how to analyze this novel on your own. You may use your novel,
your evidence flags, and any notes in your journals from our work together for this assessment.

1. What happens in this chapter? Just write a 1-2 sentence summary: what is this chapter mostly about?

• Esperanza had to watch the babies by herself and it did not go very well but she figured out what to do. There
was a dust storm that covered everything in dust and made Mama sick. Esperanza is worried Mama might die.

2. This chapter is titled “Las Ciruelas/Plums.” Why do you think Pam Munoz Ryan chose this title for the chapter?
How does this title relate to the main events or ideas in this chapter?

• Pam Munoz Ryan chose Las Ciruelas/Plums as the title because plums are delicious but if your body is not used
to them raw, like the babies, they will make you sick. That is just like what happened to Mama because of the
dust. She was not used ot it so when the dust storm happened it made her sick, like the plums made the babies
sick.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own

3. Re-read pages 139-143 and think about the challenge Esperanza is facing during this point in the novel. Complete
the T-Chart below, citing evidence
from the text.

Challenge: Reactions:

Esperanza did not know what to do when the babies Esperanza kept changing the babies diapers to try to
got sick. keep them clean.

Esperanza made rice water to feed the babies hoping it

would make them feel better.

Esperanza forgot about the beans and they burned be-

cause she was so busy trying to take care of the babies.

4. Make an inference: What does Esperanza’s response to the challenge on page 139-143 tell us about her as a
person?
Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

• Esperanza is a problem solver, trying to figure out what to do in hard situations based on things that she knows
form her own experiences. “What did Hortencia give her when she was a child and was sick?...Rice water!”
(p.142)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Analyzing Sections of Esperanza Rising on My Own

Read the following excerpt from page 157, and then answer the questions below:
“Esperanza felt Alfonso behind her, putting his hands on her shoulder. She felt the blood drain from her face.
She wanted to tell the doctor that she could not lose Mama, too. That she had already lost Papa and that Abuelita
was too far away. Her voice strangled with fear. All she could do was whisper the doctor’s uncertain words ‘If she
survives.’”

5. In one sentence, summarize the challenge Esperanza and her Mama are facing at this point in the novel.

• Mama is very very sick and she might not ever get better. Esperanza was scared that Mama would die and that
she was all alone in the United States.

There are two examples of figurative language in this excerpt.

6. What does it mean to have blood drain from your face?

• Like when water goes out of a sink in the drain, the blood can go out of your face
and look very white.

7. What does it mean to say Esperanza’s voice was strangled with fear?

• When something is strangled it is like choked. Esperanza could not speak because her
voice could not get out.

8. How does the author’s use of the words drain and strangled to help us understand how Esperanza is feeling?

• The words drain and strangled paint a very detailed picture in the reader’s mind and help you to see it as if it is
happening in front of you.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 12

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 9
Homework: Purpose For Reading, Chapter 10: “Las Papas/Potatoes” (pages 158–179)

Name:
Date:

How is Esperanza changing?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
discuss with your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track
of your thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 13

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
CHARACTERS CHANGING OVER TIME (CHAPTER 10: “LAS PAPAS/POTATOES”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can explain what a text says using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can make inferences using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text (two or more characters’ points of view, settings, events). (RL.5.3)
I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes). (RL.5.4)
I can determine a theme based on details in the text. (RL.5.2)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza Rising that I have read • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 10: “Las
independently. Papas/Potatoes”(entrance ticket)
• I can make inferences from the text about Esperanza and Mama in Esperanza Rising. • Observe where students place evidence
• I can begin to describe how Esperanza is changing. flags
• I can interpret big metaphors in Esperanza Rising. • Triad discussions
• I can identify themes in Esperanza Rising. • Exit Ticket: Independent answer to
text-dependent question

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
CHARACTERS CHANGING OVER TIME (CHAPTER 10: “LAS PAPAS/POTATOES”)

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance: Read Chapter 10 and review the text dependent questions (see supporting
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, materials). Two copies of the questions are provided: a blank to display for students, and one
Chapter 10: Las Papas/Potatoes with answers for teacher reference. Students may not have time to complete all five text-
(5 minutes) dependent questions; question 5 is intended as an extension for groups that are working more
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter quickly.
Review (5 minutes) • In advance: locate, review, and post the character anchor charts students began in Lesson 4.
2. Work Time In this lesson, students are reminded of their work on the anchor charts for Esperanza and
A. Esperanza and Mama: Answering Mama.
Questions in Triads (15 minutes) • This lesson begins to lay the foundation for students’ End of Unit 2 Assessment, in which
B. How Much is Esperanza Changing? they write an essay about how Esperanza changes over time. During Lesson 10, do not worry
(10 minutes) if students’ understanding of Esperanza’s development is just beginning to form. They will
C. Revisiting the Metaphor of Abuelita’s revisit this idea repeatedly in future lessons.
Blanket: Close Reading of Pages 159-161 • If you have evaluated students’ Mid-Unit 2 Assessments, return them at this time. There also
(15 minutes) is time built it to Lesson 13 for students to review their assessment.
3. Closing and Assessment • Review the protocol: Give One, Get One (see Appendix). Note, in this lesson students will
A. Independent Writing (5 minutes) not use a note catcher, but rather the evidence they marked with their “evidence flags” for the
previous night’s homework.
B. Debrief (5 minutes)
• Review the anchor chart “Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising,” paying particular
attention to any notes you added about Abuelita’s blanket during the debrief of Lesson 9 and
the anchor chart “Inferring by Using Text Clues”.
• In advance: post the “Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising” anchor chart.

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

confronted, compare, contrast, physically, • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 10: Las Papas/Potatoes (entrance ticket)
emotionally, fitful, uneasily, valise, hands wide (e.g. • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
measurement), scent, uneasily, clutched, intent, • “Evidence flags”
listless, depressed, patrona • Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 10: Las Papas/Potatoes
• Reading journals
• Venn diagram (one per student)
• Anchor chart: “big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising” (from previous lessons)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
CHARACTERS CHANGING OVER TIME (CHAPTER 10: “LAS PAPAS/POTATOES”)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 10 Las Papas/Potatoes (5 minutes) • Consider providing extended time
• Students should sit with their triad. for tasks and answering questions
• Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz: Entrance Ticket. Collect students’ work to review and/or in class discussions. ELLs often
assess. need more time to process and
translate information.
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) • Visuals can help some students
• Note: If you have evaluated students’ Mid-Unit 2 assessments, return them at this time and let students comprehend questions and
briefly review. Allow more time later in the day to address any concerns. (Lesson 13 also includes time to discussions. Chart main points
return students’ Mid-Unit 2 assessments). If students’ work is not ready to be handed back, simply tell them in answers and post all questions
that they did a great job on the assessment, and will continue doing similar sort of work with a new chapter asked to students.
today.
• Lead the class in a whole group session, cold-calling students to elicit a summary of the chapter that was
read for homework. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What happened in this chapter?” and
then ask more detailed text dependent questions as necessary. Encourage students to cite evidence or point
to specific passages. Give students the opportunity to ask clarifying questions about plot points they didn’t
understand.
• Ask students if they can predict what question you will ask them next. Listen for students to say something
about thinking about the title of the chapter. Commend them, and ask someone to explain why Chapter 10
is titled “Las Papas/Potatoes.” Listen for students to point out that Esperanza takes a job that requires her
to get the “eyes” out of the potatoes. (Use this opportunity to briefly reinforce what students have been
learning about metaphors: potatoes don’t really have eyes). Ask students to add an evidence flag on the first
page of Chapter 10, on which they write a phrase that will help them summarize this chapter and remember
why it was titled “Potatoes.”
• Briefly review the learning targets with students by reading them out loud, specifically focusing on, “I can
begin to describe how Esperanza is changing.” This is a new target, and is the focus for their writing later in
the unit. Remind, and point out to students, the anchor chart “Inferring by Using Text Clues” that they
created together as a class in previous lessons. Remind them that they may use this as a reference as they
work during this lesson.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
CHARACTERS CHANGING OVER TIME (CHAPTER 10: “LAS PAPAS/POTATOES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Esperanza and Mama: Answering Questions in Triads (15 minutes) • Students needing
• Be sure to allow time for students to add to their character notes during these 15 minutes. additional supports
• Remind students also that it is less important to rush through all the questions. The purpose is to have a rich may benefit from
discussion based on evidence. It is fine if they only have time for a few questions: they will revisit may of these ideas partially filled-in graphic
again in later lessons. organizers.
• Distribute a small pile of evidence flags to each triad.
• Using your document camera or by placing the questions on the board, display just question 1 from the Text-
Dependent Questions for Chapter 10: Las Papas/Potatoes (see supporting materials).
• Give students a few minutes to re-read pages 158-161 on their own, with question 1 in mind, and then talk with their
triad. Encourage them to use their evidence flags to mark evidence that supports their answer.
• Ask a few groups to report out their answer and their evidence. If necessary, model by adding additional evidence to
clarify and further support what students are saying.
• Praise groups using Triad Talk well. Remind them how discussing their thinking with others can help them
understand hard text.
• Show the students the question 2. Tell them to listen for and mark evidence that answers the question as you read
aloud.
• Ask students to discuss their answers to question 2 with their triad, re-reading if necessary.
• Circulate to listen in and support as needed. Probe students to cite specific words and phrases that describe how Mama
is feeling emotionally, reminding them to use context clues to help them figure out the meaning of unknown words.
• As students continue with the rest of the text-dependent questions, make sure they are reading them aloud, clarifying
any terms, thinking on their own, then talking and marking their answers with evidence flags. As in previous days,
students do not need to write complete answers to the questions at this point.
• As students work, monitor this discussion, making sure all students are participating. Reinforce students who are
following the Triad Talk norms well.
• After about 10 minutes, ask students to take 3-4 minutes to add new thinking to their character notes T-chart in their
reading journal about Esperanza and Mama.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
CHARACTERS CHANGING OVER TIME (CHAPTER 10: “LAS PAPAS/POTATOES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. How Much is Esperanza Changing? (10 minutes) • Provide anchor charts for
• Point out to students how much more they understand about Esperanza and Mama than when they did their processes and protocols
original anchor charts (in Lesson 4). Also note that in their triad discussions today, they were noticing how both for students who may
Esperanza and Mama are changing. They will keep thinking about how characters change, particularly Esperanza, struggle with multi-step
in upcoming lessons. Redirect students to the following learning target: “I can begin to describe how Esperanza is directions.
changing.” • Visuals can help some
• Remind students of and briefly review the Give One, Get One Protocol (see Appendix 1). Explain that instead students comprehend
of using a note-catcher this time, they will be taking with them their text marked with evidence and they will just questions and discussions.
be discussing orally. They will not be writing anything down this time. Ask students to stand, find a partner, and Chart main points in
discuss the following prompt (which was their homework purpose for reading for chapter 10). answers and post all
* “How is Esperanza changing?” Be sure to share the evidence from your text with your partners. questions asked to
• Circulate to listen in. Encourage students to cite text to support their opinion. students.
• Have students repeat the process until they have received and given a different piece of evidence with at least 3
other students.
• Have students return to their triads when they are done.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
CHARACTERS CHANGING OVER TIME (CHAPTER 10: “LAS PAPAS/POTATOES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Revisiting the Metaphor of Abuelita’s Blanket: Close Reading of Pages 159-161 (15 minutes) • Visuals can help some
• Ask students to remain in their triads, but focus whole group. students comprehend
• Point out the learning target “I can determine the metaphors and themes in Esperanza Rising.” Ask students to questions and discussions.
turn and talk about how they worked with metaphor and theme during Lesson 9. Ask students if they noticed any Chart main points in
of these metaphors appear again in their reading of Chapter 10: Las Papas. Listen for students to mention the answers and post all
reference to Abuelita’s blanket. questions asked to
• Refer students to the anchor chart: Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising. Invite a student to read out students.
loud any notes that you charted about the metaphor of Abuelita’s blanket (during Lesson 9)
• Read aloud page 159 from “Abuelita’s blanket” through the end of the text, as students follow along in their text.
• Ask a series of text-dependent questions. Give students time to think, talk in triads, and share out whole group
after each question.
• On the bottom of page 159, the text says “Esperanza looked at Mama, breathing uneasily, her eyes closed. It was
clear Mama needed Abuelita.”
* What does the word uneasily mean? How did you figure that out? (Listen for students to refer to context clues
and/or the word root “easy” and the prefix “un”)
* How is it clear that Mama needs Abuelita?
• Read aloud page 160, from “They both needed her” through “This valley of Mama being sick.”Ask:
* “What metaphor does the author use to describe Mama being sick?” Why do you think the author chose this
metaphor? (Listen for students to notice the “valley”)
• Again students time to think, talk in triads, and share out.
• Direct students to the phrase in the middle of page 160: “Esperanza picked up the needlework and began where
Abuelita had left off.”
• Say “Think about what you read yesterday about the blanket, on page 15. What seems important about Esperanza
“beginning” the blanket “where Abuelita left off ” (Listen for students to begin to understand that it’s not just
the crocheting Esperanza is beginning again, but her new life, as a more mature person. Guide students to this
understanding as needed.)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
CHARACTERS CHANGING OVER TIME (CHAPTER 10: “LAS PAPAS/POTATOES”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Independent Writing (10 minutes) • For students needing additional
• Review the learning targets with students by reading them out loud or calling on students to do so. supports producing language,
• Distribute index cards or half-sheets of paper. Ask students to respond to the following prompt: consider offering a sentence
* “How is Esperanza changing?” Cite evidence from Chapter 10: Las Papas to support your opinion. frame, sentence starter, or a cloze
• Collect students’ independent writing to check for individual understanding. sentence to assist with language
production and provide the
B. Debrief (5 minutes) structure required.
• Gather students as a whole group and draw their attention to the Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza • Consider allowing students to
Rising anchor chart. Ask students for suggestions of any new ones to add. Be sure to listen for additional draw their observations, ideas,
acknowledgments about the rose, Abuelita’s blanket, and the potatoes eyes, which are all metaphors for life. or notes when appropriate. This
allows ELLs to participate in a
meaningful way.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 11: Los Aguacates/Avocadoes (pages 179–199) in Esperanza Rising. Use the Homework: • Audio recordings of text can aid
Purpose For Reading, Chapter 10 question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the some students in comprehension.
specific areas in the book that support your answer. Students can pause and replay
confusing portions while they
Note: Be sure to have formally assessed students’ Mid-Unit 2 Assessments by Lesson 13. In that lesson, there is time for follow along with the text.
students to review their work.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 7
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
Comprehension Quiz Entrance Ticket (Chapter 10: Las Papas/Potatoes)

Name:
Date:

1. Why did Esperanza start working in the sheds?

2. What did Esperanza promise Abuelita she would do after she left her?

3. Why did Hortensia tell Esperanza not to send a letter to Abuelita?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 10: Las Papas/Potatoes

1. How is Mama feeling physically? Be sure to give detailed evidence from the text.

2. Reread the last paragraph on page 161. What inferences can you make about how Mama
is feeling emotionally? The author uses the word listless to describe Mama. What does
that word mean in the sentence? Use context clues to help.

3. On page 163, “What did the doctor mean when he said that Mama was depressed?” Cite
evidence from the text to support your answer.

4. The chapter starts: “Esperanza almost never left Mama’s side.” and it ends with
Esperanza saying: “Don’t worry. I will take care of everything. I will be la patrona for
the family now.” How has Esperanza changed in this chapter and what does it mean to
be la patrona? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

5. What did the author mean when she wrote on page 176, “Isabel had nothing, but she
also had everything. Esperanza wanted what she had.”? How is this different than how
Esperanza acted when they first moved to California? Be sure to provide details from
the text in your answer.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 10: Las Papas/Potatoes
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

1. How is Mama feeling physically? Be sure to give detailed evidence from the text.

The doctor says on page 158, “She is not getting worse…But she is not getting better, either.” She can’t sleep well.
“…drifted in and out of fitful sleep…” (p.158) She is still having trouble breathing. “…breathing uneasily…”
(p.159)

2. Reread the last paragraph on page 161. What inferences can you make about how Mama is feeling
emotionally? The author uses the word listless to describe Mama. What does that word mean in the
sentence? Use context clues to help.

Mama is very sad because she is “weeping” and she has “given up”, does not want to try anymore to be “strong
and determined”. The word listless has to do with being sad and not wanting to do anything because in the
paragraph before it says that “…it seemed Esperanza could not interest Mama in anything.”

2. On page 163, “What did the doctor mean when he said that Mama was depressed?” Cite evidence from
the text to support your answer.

Mama is not just sick from the dust. She is sick from worrying so much as well. Hortensia says, “…Sometimes
sadness and worry can make a person sicker…everything became to much for her.”

3. The chapter starts: “Esperanza almost never left Mama’s side.” and it ends with Esperanza saying:
“Don’t worry. I will take care of everything. I will be la patrona for the family now.” How has Esperanza
changed in this chapter and what does it mean to be la patrona? Cite specific evidence from the text to
support your answer.

Esperanza went from being a scared little girl who did not know what to do, to taking charge of the situation to
make things better. “If Esperanza could somehow get money to Abuelita, then maybe she could come sooner.”
(p.165) “I could work in the fields or in the sheds…” (p.166) “…how much depended on her being able to work.”
(p.172)
Being la patrona means to be in charge, to make sure everything is OK.

4. What did the author mean when she wrote on page 176, “Isabel had nothing, but she also had everything.
Esperanza wanted what she had.”? How is this different than how Esperanza acted when they first
moved to California? Be sure to provide details from the text in your answer.

Isabel is always happy and does not seem to worry about things. “She wanted so few worries that something as
simple as a yarn doll would make her happy.” (p.176) When they first arrived, Esperanza thought the place they
were living was only good enough for animals and that she was still rich, expecting people to do things for her. She
was sad all the time because they had to move and life was different. She didn’t know how to do many things. Now,
Esperanza just wanted Mama to get better and she had become more responsible.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 10
Homework: Purpose For Reading, Chapter 11: Los Aguacates/Avocados (pages 179-198)

Name:
Date:

What challenges to human rights do characters face in Chapter 11? How do they respond?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
discuss with your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track
of your thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: WHY DO WORKERS STRIKE? (CHAPTER 11: “LOS AGUACATES/AVOCADOS”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can determine the main idea(s) of an informational text based on key details. (RI.5.2)
I can summarize an informational text. (RI.5.2)
I can determine a theme based on details in the text. (RL.5.2)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza Rising that I have read • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 11: “Los
independently. Aguacates/Avocados” (entrance ticket)
• I can identify examples of human rights that have not been protected in Esperanza Rising. • Triad discussion
• I can explain what a strike is. • Exit ticket: On Strike! note-catcher
• I can explain why workers go on strike.

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance: Read Chapter 11 and review the text-dependent
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 11: “Los Aguacates/ questions (see Supporting Materials). Two copies of the
Avocados” (5 minutes) questions are provided: a blank to display for students, and one
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) with answers for teacher reference.
2. Work Time • This lesson refocuses students on the direct connections
A. Challenges to Human Rights in Esperanza Rising (10 minutes) between the themes in Esperanza Rising and the UDHR that
B. What is a Strike? (15 minutes) they studied during Unit 1. Be sure students have their UDHR
C. Reviewing the UDHR: Read-Aloud of Articles 1 and 2 (5 minutes) note-catchers (from Unit 1, Lesson 1,) or provide fresh copies
D. Why do Workers Strike? Answering Questions in Triads (15 minutes) as needed. Do not worry if students are still struggling to
3. Closing and Assessment analyze all of the connections. Students revisit Article 23 in
A. Independent Writing (5 minutes) Lesson 12. And in Unit 3, “Readers Theater,” students have 12
B. Debrief (5 minutes) more lessons in which they revisit key excerpts from the novel
through the lens of the UDHR.
• In advance: cut up Esperanza Rising quotes and UDHR articles
into strips (see instructions in Supporting Materials).

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: WHY DO WORKERS STRIKE? (CHAPTER 11: “LOS AGUACATES/AVOCADOS”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

explain, argue, record, strike, striking, arguments, • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 11: “Los Aguacates/Avocados” entrance ticket
migrant (camp), company (camp); stocks, manual • Esperanza Rising Quote Strips and UDHR Articles
labor, Negroes, tossed out, makings, spigots, jumble, • Completed UDHR note catchers (students’ copies from Unit 1, Lesson 1)
humanity • Anchor chart: Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising (begun in Lesson 3)
• Chart paper for new anchor chart “Strike”
• On Strike! note-catcher (either as handout or in students’ reading journals)
• Esperanza Rising (one per student)
• Evidence flags
• Text-dependent questions for Chapter 11: “Los Aguacates/Avocados”

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 11: “Los Aguacates/Avocados” (5 minutes) • Consider providing
• Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 11 entrance ticket. Collect students’ work to review and/ extra time for tasks and
or assess. answering questions in class
discussions. ELLs often
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) need more time to process
• After the quiz, lead the class in a whole group session, cold calling students to elicit a summary of the chapter that and translate information.
was read for homework. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What was this chapter mostly about? “What • Visuals can help students
happened in this chapter?” and then ask more detailed text-dependent questions as necessary. Encourage students comprehend questions
to cite evidence or point to specific passages. Note which students are able to answer the questions and the quality and discussions. Chart
of the answers. main points in answers and
• Ask students to explain why Chapter 11 is titled “Los Aguacates/Avocados.” Listen for students to point out that post all questions asked to
Esperanza uses avocados to help soften her hands since they are so rough from packing fruits and vegetables in the students
past few months. Ask students to add an evidence flag on page 180, on which they write a phrase that will help
them summarize this chapter and remember why it was titled “Avocados”
• Briefly review the learning targets with students by reading them out loud, specifically focusing on: “I can explain
what a strike is.” Point out that in the past few chapters, Marta has been mentioning a strike; today students will
learn more.
• Return students’ Entrance and Exit tickets from Lesson 10. Address any major misconceptions. Ask students to
hold on to these Entrance and Exit tickets: they will want to refer to them for their writing later in the unit.
NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1
Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: WHY DO WORKERS STRIKE? (CHAPTER 11: “LOS AGUACATES/AVOCADOS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Challenges to Human Rights in Esperanza Rising (10 minutes) • Consider provide
• Focus students on the learning target: “I can identify examples of human rights that have not been protected in nonlinguistic symbols
Esperanza Rising” by reading it out loud. Remind students of the summarizing of articles of the UDHR that students (a student talking for
did in Unit 1, and how they read the document very closely in order to understand what promises the articles were explain) with key terms
making. Have students take out their completed UDHR note-catcher from Unit 1 to refer to during this activity. in the targets to aid ELLs
• Distribute the cut-up strips from the Esperanza Rising quote strips and UDHR articles that describe human rights in comprehension and
challenges, and strips that summarize the matching articles from the UDHR. (Each student gets either a strip with a making connections..
quote or a strip with one of the articles.)
• Have students circulate, sharing their quotes, trying to find a partner whose quote describes a situation in the novel that
would be an example of their article, or vice versa.
• Return to the whole group to share the human rights issues students noted in their reading; add these to the anchor
chart: Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising.
B. What is a Strike? (15 minutes) • When discussion of
• Students should be sitting with their triads. complex content is
• Introduce the learning target: “I can explain what a strike is.” required, consider
• Ask: “What is a strike?” Chart responses in the form of an idea on a new anchor chart: Strike (with the word strike partnering an ELL with
in the middle of the page). Record students’ ideas to this key term with connecting arrows. Ask students how the ideas a student who speaks
should connect (For example, a definition might be written next to the word strike connected by an equal sign, while the same L1 This can
examples might be clustered and connected by arrows and associated emotions might be clustered in a different spot). let students have more
If appropriate, point out to students that what they just did was create a concept web for a key vocabulary term; this is meaningful discussions
a strategy they will use more later in the year. and clarify points in their
• Give students just five minutes to work in triads to complete just the left-hand column of the On Strike! note- L1.
catcher. (They may do this in their reading journal, or distribute the note-catcher as a student handout.) Tell students
that at the end of today’s lesson, they will work to add more detailed notes to the right-hand column after discussing
some specific text-dependent questions (in the next part of the lesson).
• Call on a few triads to share out their ideas about the questions. Be sure to not confirm or deny their ideas at this point
as they will return to finish the right-hand column later on in the lesson.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: WHY DO WORKERS STRIKE? (CHAPTER 11: “LOS AGUACATES/AVOCADOS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Reviewing the UDHR: Read-Aloud of Articles 1 and 2 (5 minutes) • When possible, provide
• Remind students of Articles 1 and 2 of the UDHR by reading them out loud while students follow along on a text or materials found
projected copy or on their note-catchers. in students’ L1. This can
help students understand
materials presented in
English.
D. Why Do Workers Strike? Answering Questions in Triads (15 minutes) • Visuals can help students
• Be sure all students have their text: Esperanza Rising. Remind students that when reading difficult text, it is very comprehend questions
important to reread sections multiple times in order to understand it well. and discussions. Chart
• Distribute a small stack of evidence flags to each triad. main points in answers
• Using your document camera or by placing the questions on the board, display just Question 1 from the Text- and post all questions
Dependent Questions for Chapter 11: “Los Aguacates/Avocados” (see Supporting Materials). asked to students.
• Give students a few minutes to reread pages 186–187 on their own, with Question 1 in mind, and then talk with
their triad. Encourage them to use their evidence flags to mark evidence that supports their answer.
• Ask a few groups to report out their answer and their evidence. If necessary, model by adding additional evidence
to clarify and further support what students are saying.
• Praise groups using Triad Talk well. Remind them how discussing their thinking with others can help them
understand hard text.
• Show the students the second text-dependent question. Tell them to listen for and mark evidence that answers the
question as you read aloud.
• Ask students to discuss their answers to Question 2 with their triad, rereading if necessary.
• Circulate to listen in and support as needed. Probe students to cite specific words and phrases from page 195,
reminding them to use context clues to help them figure out the meaning of unknown words.
• As students continue with the rest of the text-dependent questions make sure they are reading them aloud,
clarifying any terms, thinking on their own, then talking and marking their answers with evidence flags. As in
previous days, students do not need to write complete answers to the questions at this point.
• As students work, monitor this discussion, making sure all students are participating. Reinforce students who are
following the Triad Talk norms well.
• Have students share out their thoughts on the quote “We all do what we have to do.” Encourage them to use
specific evidence from the text when sharing their thoughts.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE: WHY DO WORKERS STRIKE? (CHAPTER 11: “LOS AGUACATES/AVOCADOS”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (5 minutes) • Students needing additional
• Ask students to complete the right-hand column of the On Strike! note-catcher. supports may benefit from partially
• Collect this writing to assess students’ understanding of strikes, and why workers in the book might or filled-in graphic organizers.
might not choose to strike as a response to the challenges they are facing.

B. Debrief (5 minutes)
• Revisit the learning target: “I can explain why workers go on strike.”
• Have students turn and explain their understanding of this learning target to a partner. Invite students to
add any new learning to the Strike anchor chart and/or correct anything they now realize is misinformation.
Tell students that next they will continue thinking about whether or not the workers in Esperanza Rising
should strike as they read Chapter 12.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 12, “Los Espárragos/Asparagus” (pages 199–213), in Esperanza Rising. Use the Purpose • Audio recordings of text can aid
for Reading, Chapter 12 homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the some students in comprehension.
specific areas in the book that support your answer. Students can pause and replay
confusing portions while they
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the follow along with the text.
day or first thing in the morning. In addition, students likely to need additional support should preread this novel with support • Struggling readers may benefit
during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods rereading from reading picture books that
and focusing on evidence. explain more about strikes: see
Unit 2 Recommended Reading
List, in particular Dolores Huerta: A
Hero to Migrant Workers, Sarah E.
Warren

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
Mid-Unit 2 Assessment: Comprehension Quiz:
Entrance Ticket (Chapter 11: “Los Aguacates/Avocados”)

Name:
Date:

1. What does Esperanza put on her hands to make them feel better?

2. What does Esperanza buy for Mama?

3. What is the good news Miguel shares at the end of the chapter?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 6

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
Esperanza Rising Quote Strips and UDHR Articles

Teacher Instructions: Make multiple copies of thes pages as needed, so each student can have an individual
quote/article. Cut the copied pages into strips, so each student has one individual quote/article on his or her
own small piece of paper.

“Change has not come fast enough, Esperanza. The wealthy still own most of the land while some of the poor
have not even a garden plot. There are cattle grazing on the big ranches yet some peasants are forced to eat
cats.” (page 12)

Article 25, Right to Adequate Living Standard

A. You have the right to the things you and your family need to have a healthy and comfortable life, including
food, clothing, housing, medical care, and other social services. You have a right to help if you are out of
work or unable to work.
B. Mothers and children should receive special care and help.

“But now that she was a young woman, she understood that Miguel was a housekeeper’s son and she was a ranch
owner’s daughter and between them ran a deep river. Esperanza stood on one side and Miguel stood on the
other and the river could never be crossed.” (page 18)

Article 1, Right to equality

You are born free and equal in rights to every other human being. You have the ability to think and to tell
right from wrong. You should treat others with friendship.

“As you know, it is not customary to leave land to women . . .” (page 30)

Article 17, Right to own property

A. You have the right to own things.
B. Nobody has the right to take these things away from you without a good reason.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
Esperanza Rising Quote Strips and UDHR Articles

“My father and I have lost faith in our country. We were born servants here and no matter how hard we work we
will always be servants.” (page 36)

Article 1, Right to equality

You are born free and equal in rights to every other human being. You have the ability to think and to tell
right from wrong. You should treat others with friendship.

“There is a Mexican saying: ‘Full bellies and Spanish blood go hand in hand.’ . . . “Have you not noticed?” he
said, sounding surprised. “Those with Spanish blood, who have the fairest complexions in the land, are the
wealthiest.” (page 79)

Article 2, Freedom from discrimination

You have all these human rights no matter what your race, skin color, sex, language, religion, opinions, family
background, social or economic status, birth, or nationality

“The conductors herded everyone into a building where they stood in long lines waiting to pass through immi-
gration. Esperanza noticed that the people in the first cars were escorted to the shortest lines and passed through
quickly.” (page 81)

Article 1, Right to equality

You are born free and equal in rights to every other human being. You have the ability to think and to tell
right from wrong. You should treat others with friendship.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
Esperanza Rising Quote Strips and UDHR Articles

“Well, when I go to school, I will learn in English,” said Isabel. Esperanza nodded and tried to smile back. Isabel
was so happy, she thought, about such little things.” (pages 89–90)

Article 26, Right to education

A. You have the right to go to school. Primary schooling should be free and required. You should be able to
learn a profession or continue your studies as far as you can..
B. At school, you should be able to develop all your talents and learn to respect others, whatever their race, reli-
gion, or nationality.
C. Your parents should have a say in the kind of education you receive.

“They don’t want us banding together for higher wages or better housing,” said Marta. “The owners think if the
Mexicans have no hot water, that we won’t mind as long as we think no one has any.” (page 98)

Article 23, Right to desirable work and to join trade unions

A. You have the right to work, to choose your work and to work in good conditions.
B. People who do the same work should get the same pay.
C. You should be able to earn a salary that allows you to live and support your family.
D. All people who work have the right to join together in unions to defend their interests.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
Esperanza Rising Quote Strips and UDHR Articles

“They don’t want us banding together for higher wages or better housing,” said Marta. “The owners think if the
Mexicans have no hot water, that we won’t mind as long as we think no one has any.” (page 98)

Article 23, Right to desirable work and to join trade unions

A. You have the right to work, to choose your work and to work in good conditions.
B. People who do the same work should get the same pay.
C. You should be able to earn a salary that allows you to live and support your family.
D. All people who work have the right to join together in unions to defend their interests.

“We are going to strike in two weeks. At the peak of the cotton. For higher wages and better housing.” (page
132)

Article 20, Right to assemble

A. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
B. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
On Strike! Note-catcher

My Original Thinking My New Thinking, based on Evidence from

the Text
1. What does it
mean to go on
strike?

2. Why do
workers go on
strike?

3. Why do
workers decide
not to go on
strike?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
Supporting Materials: Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 11:
“Los Aguacates/Avocados” (pages 179–198)

1. Miguel tells Esperanza why they shop at Mr. Yakota’s store. Explain how Miguel’s comments about
Mr. Yakota connect to the ideas in Article 1 of the UDHR. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the
text.

Article 1 of the UDHR states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of
brotherhood.

2. Look at pages 187-188. Summarize Miguel’s explanation of how the farm workers are treated. Then
explain how Miguel’s comments and Esperanza’s thinking connect to the ideas of Article 2 of the
UDHR. Be sure to cite evidence from the text.

Article 2 of the UDHR states: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or
other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. Furthermore, no distinction
shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or
territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing, or under any
other limitation of sovereignty.”

3. The farm laborers live in two different types of camps. Re-read pages 192-193. Why are Marta and Ada
living in a different camp now? What is that camp like? does the author mean when she writes that
Marta’s new camp was a “great jumble of humanity and confusion.”? Be sure to cite evidence from
the text.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 12

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 11:
“Los Aguacates/Avocados” (pages 179–198)
(Answers for teacher reference)
1. Miguel tells Esperanza why they shop at Mr. Yakota’s store. Explain how Miguel’s comments about
Mr. Yakota connect to the ideas in Article 1 of the UDHR. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the
text.

Article 1 of the UDHR states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of
brotherhood.

Everyone should feel like they are being treaty like a human being. Miguel says, “Some of the other market
owners aren’t as kind to Mexicans as Mr. Yakota…He stocks many of the things we need and he treats us like
people.” (p. 186)

2. Look at pages 187-188. Summarize Miguel’s explanation of how the farm workers are treated. Then
explain how Miguel’s comments and Esperanza’s thinking connect to the ideas of Article 2 of the
UDHR. Be sure to cite evidence from the text.

Article 2 of the UDHR states: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or
other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status. Furthermore, no distinction
shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or
territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing, or under any
other limitation of sovereignty.”

Miguel says, “Americans see us as one big, brown group who are good for only manual labor…treats us like
outsiders or calls us ‘dirty greasers’.” He is explaining how most people in the United States do not take the time
to get to know them as people. They just want them to work. Esperanza had heard, “There were special sections
at the movie theater for Negroes and Mexicans. In town, parents did not want their children going to the same
schools with Mexicans.”

3. The farm laborers live in two different types of camps. Re-read pages 192-193. Why are Marta and Ada
living in a different camp now? What is that camp like? does the author mean when she writes that
Marta’s new camp was a “great jumble of humanity and confusion.”? Be sure to cite evidence from the
text.

Miguel and Esperanza pick up Marta and her mother, Ada on the way back to camp. (p. 192) They were living
in a strikers’ camp now because they were “tossed out” of the migrant workers’ camp because they were going
to strike. There were a lot of people and a lot of mess. There were guards “for protection”, “only ten wooden
toilets for hundreds of people” and it smelled. (p. 193) “Some people lived in tents” or under “burlap bags” or
in “old cars or trucks”. Esperanza saw “the makings of outdoor kitchens.”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 13

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 11
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus” (pages 109–213)

On page 195, near the end of Chapter 11, Marta’s mother tells Esperanza “We all do what we have to do.” Think
about this comment as you read the next Chapter (12). Should the workers strike?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to discuss with
your triad. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to discuss with your triad. You do not need
to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track of your thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 14

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES: SHOULD THE FARMWORKERS IN ESPERANZA RISING GO ON STRIKE?
(CHAPTER 12: “LOS ESPÁRRAGOS/ASPARAGUS”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can explain what a text says using quotes from the material. (RL.5.1)
I can make inferences using quotes from the text. (RL.5.1)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text (two or more characters’ points of view, settings, events). (RL.5.3)
I can write informative/explanatory texts. (W.5.2)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can explain why workers go on strike. • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 12: “Los
• I can make arguments for and against striking. Espárragos/Asparagus” (entrance ticket)
• I can make inferences from the text about the characters in Esperanza Rising. • Observe where students place evidence flags
• I can write to explain my thinking about the characters perspectives in Esperanza Rising. • Triad discussion
• Character anchor charts
• Exit Ticket: independent answer to text-
dependent question

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • This lesson repeats the Jigsaw structure students have
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 12: “Los Esparragos/Asparagus” used several times, most recently in Lesson 4 when
(5 minutes) they were getting to know several main characters. In
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) this lesson, students become experts on Esperanza,
2. Work Time Miguel, or Marta specifically to consider the characters’
A. Reviewing the UDHR: Read-Aloud of UDHR Article 23 (5 minutes) different experiences with and perspectives about the
B. Jigsaw, Part 1: How Esperanza, Miguel, and Marta Respond to Challenges strike.
(20 minutes) • Review Jigsaw protocol
C. Jigsaw, Part 2: Which Character’s Response Do You Agree With? (15 minutes) • Review Chapter 12 Jigsaw task cards
3. Closing and Assessment • Review the anchor chart Inferring by Using Text Clues
A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (5 minutes) • Students may benefit from instruction or review of the
B. Debrief: Adding to “Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising” following terms: involvement, organizing
anchor chart (5 minutes)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES: SHOULD THE FARMWORKERS IN ESPERANZA RISING GO ON STRIKE?
(CHAPTER 12: “LOS ESPÁRRAGOS/ASPARAGUS”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

strike, striking, explain, argue, arguments; favourable, • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus” (entrance
remuneration, worthy, interests (from Article 23 of the UDHR), ticket)
strikers’ (camp), company (camp), menacing, conflicted, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
sympathetic, cause, misjudged • Evidence flags
• On Strike! note-catcher (from Lesson 11)
• Chapter 12 Jigsaw task cards

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 12: “Los Esparragos/Asparagus” (5 minutes) • Consider providing extra time for
• Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus” entrance tasks and answering questions in
ticket. class discussions. ELLs often need
• Collect students’ quizzes to review/assess. more time to process and translate
information.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES: SHOULD THE FARMWORKERS IN ESPERANZA RISING GO ON STRIKE?
(CHAPTER 12: “LOS ESPÁRRAGOS/ASPARAGUS”)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) • Visuals can help ELLs and other
• After the quiz, lead the class in a whole group session, cold calling students to elicit a summary of the students comprehend questions and
chapter that was read for homework. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What was this chapter discussions. Chart main points in
mostly about? What happened in this chapter?” and then ask more detailed text-dependent questions answers and post all questions asked to
as necessary. Encourage students to cite evidence or point to specific passages. Note which students are students
able to answer the questions, and the quality of the answers.
• Ask someone to explain why Chapter 12 is titled “Los Espárragos/Asparagus.” Listen for students to
point out that the farm laborers harvest and package asparagus during this chapter. (Use this opportunity
to briefly reinforce what students have been learning about metaphors: asparagus are fragile and must
be handled with care, just like human beings). Ask students to add an evidence flag on the first page of
Chapter 12, on which they write a phrase that will help them summarize this chapter and remember why
it was titled “Asparagus.”
• Briefly review the learning targets with students by reading them out loud, specifically focusing on, “I
can make arguments for and against striking.” Make sure to point out that students will be forming
opinions about what happened in this chapter based on evidence in the chapter and on their background
knowledge. This is inferring. Remind students that they should refer to, and use if necessary, the Inferring
by Using Text Clues anchor chart.
• As usual, return students’ Entrance Ticket from Lesson 11, and their Exit tickets (the On Strike! note-
catcher). Address any major misconceptions. Encourage students to refer to their note-catchers during
today’s lesson.
• Ask students to hold on to these Entrance and Exit tickets: they will want to refer to them for their
writing later in the unit.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES: SHOULD THE FARMWORKERS IN ESPERANZA RISING GO ON STRIKE?
(CHAPTER 12: “LOS ESPÁRRAGOS/ASPARAGUS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Reviewing the UDHR: Read-Aloud of Article 23 (5 minutes) • When possible, provide
• Orient students to UDHR note catcher (from Unit 1). Read Article 23 aloud, slowly, as students follow along. text or materials found in
• Ask students to turn and talk about connections they see between this article and their homework reading students’ L1. This can help
(Chapter 12). Direct students’ to the first learning targets: “I can explain why workers go on strike.” and “I can students understand materials
make arguments for and against striking.” Tell them that today they will consider in more detail whether it was a presented in English.
good idea or not for the workers in the migrant camp to strike. (If necessary, review the distinction between the • Consider providing
strikers’ camp and the company camp, from Lesson 11.) nonlinguistic symbols (a
student talking for explain)
Note: students have already studied Article 23 during Unit 1. They also will revisit it in detail during Unit 3. And later in today’s with key terms in the
lesson, they will re-read key phrases during their Jigsaw discussion. For now, simply read aloud. targets to aid ELLs in
comprehension and making
connections.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES: SHOULD THE FARMWORKERS IN ESPERANZA RISING GO ON STRIKE?
(CHAPTER 12: “LOS ESPÁRRAGOS/ASPARAGUS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Jigsaw, Part 1: How Esperanza, Miguel, and Marta Respond to Challenges (20 minutes) • For students needing
• Revisit the rest of the learning targets by asking a student to read out loud: “I can make inferences from the text additional supports,
about the characters in Esperanza Rising,” and “I can write to explain my thinking about the characters’ perspectives consider providing
in Esperanza Rising.” Remind students that these are learning targets they have seen in previous lessons. Remind them partially filled out
about the discussion they had about inferring, and direct students to the Inferring by Using Text Clues anchor chart. T-Chart.
• Direct students to get into their triads. • Consider partnering
• Have students turn to the pages in their reading journals where they began to record some information about the an ELL with a student
characters in the book. Give students 2–3 minutes to reread what they wrote and share that with their triads, adding who speaks the same
any new information that may have surfaced. L1, when discussion
• Remind students of the Jigsaw protocol that they have done previously, where each person becomes an expert on of complex content is
something and then teaches that to the rest of the people in their group. required. This can allow
• Assign one student in each triad Esperanza, Marta, or Miguel and distribute the corresponding Jigsaw task card. students to have more
• Give students 10 minutes to work on their own to complete their Jigsaw task card, making sure to mark evidence with meaningful discussions
evidence flags in the text. Use this time to circulate and support students who are still trying to figure out how to use and clarify points in their
the evidence flags effectively. L1.
• Then ask students to leave their triad and gather in new groups, with peers from OTHER triads who read about
the same character. (Note: It probably will be necessary to divide students into small groups: for example, there may
be eight or nine students who became experts about Esperanza; this large group should be broken into two smaller
groups of four to five).
• Direct students to locate the page in their reading journal about this character, and to add a character chart (T-chart)
in their journals with Challenges listed on one side of the T and Responses listed on the other side.
• Give students 10 minutes to discuss with their character group the evidence they flagged. Have students record their
groups’ thinking on the T-chart in their individual reading journals. Remind students that they will need these notes to
be able to share with their triad during Part 2 of the Jigsaw.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES: SHOULD THE FARMWORKERS IN ESPERANZA RISING GO ON STRIKE?
(CHAPTER 12: “LOS ESPÁRRAGOS/ASPARAGUS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Jigsaw, Part 2: Which Character’s Response Do You Agree With? (15 minutes) • Visuals can help ELLs
• Have students return to their original triads. comprehend questions and
• Tell triads that each student has 4 minutes to share about their character. Encourage students to refer to the discussions. Chart main
T-charts they created during Part 1 of the Jigsaw as they share with their triad members. The other two students points in answers and post
should take notes on the appropriate page of character notes in their reading journals, adding a T-chart for each all questions asked to class.
of the three characters. Consider drawing small
• After each student has shared about his or her character, ask triads to spend 3–4 minutes discussing the following: pictures to illustrate your
* “What was each character’s involvement in the strike?” examples.
* “Which character’s response to the strike do you agree with? Why?”
• As students work, monitor this discussion. Emphasize that the author is not telling the reader what the characters
are like; she is showing the reader how the characters behave, so that the reader can infer what the character is like.
The way a person responds to challenges tells us a lot about who they are.
• While circulating, make sure all students are participating. Reinforce students who are following the Triad Talk
norms well.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES: SHOULD THE FARMWORKERS IN ESPERANZA RISING GO ON STRIKE?
(CHAPTER 12: “LOS ESPÁRRAGOS/ASPARAGUS”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Exit Ticket: Independent Writing (5 minutes) • When ELLs are asked to produce
• Distribute index cards or half sheets of paper. Ask students to respond to the following prompt: language, consider providing a
* “Was it a good or bad idea for the workers to strike? Why or why not?” Cite specific evidence to support sentence frame, sentence starter,
your answer. or a cloze sentence to assist with
• Collect students’ independent writing on their index cards to check for individual understanding. language production and the
structure required. (e.g. “I agree
with the workers who chose to
strike because . . . or I disagree
with the workers . . .”)
B. Debrief: Adding to Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising Anchor Chart (5 minutes) • Debriefing about what they have
• Remind students of what they focused on today by rereading out loud the learning targets. learned and the protocols used
• Orient students to the Human Rights Challenges in Esperanza Rising anchor chart from previous will help students monitor their
lessons. Ask students to talk with their triads, then share out challenges that the class should add to this list. own learning.
Add the triad’s suggestions to the chart.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 13: Los Duraznos/Peaches (pages 214–233) in Esperanza Rising. Use the Purpose for • Audio recordings of text can aid
Reading, Chapter 13 homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific some students in comprehension.
areas in the book that support your answer. Students can pause and replay
confusing portions while they
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the follow along with the text.
day or first thing in the morning. In addition, students likely to need additional support should preread this novel with support
during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods rereading and
focusing on evidence.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
Comprehension Quiz: Entrance Ticket (Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus”)

Name:
Date:

1. What do the strikers do to the workers who refuse to strike?

2. What does Esperanza do to help Marta?

3. What are the immigration officers doing to the strikers?

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus”

Esperanza:
1. Reread pages 184 and 200. At first, how does Esperanza respond to seeing the strikers? What is most important
to her right now? How is she conflicted (confused) about what to do? Cite evidence from the text to support
your answer.

2. Reread pages 208-211 and page 212. How does Esperanza help the strikers? Why does she help them? Cite
evidence from the text to support your answer.

3. Article 23 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and
favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.” What does the word favourable mean?
How did you figure out? Would Esperanza agree with Article 23? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text
to support your answer.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus”

Miguel:
1. Article 23 of the UDHR states: “Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring
for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other
means of social protection.” What does the word remuneration mean? How did you figure it out? Would Miguel
agree with Article 23? Why or why not? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

2. Reread pages 196-197. How does Miguel feel about the strike? What is most important to him right now? Cite
evidence from the text to support your answer.

3. Reread the last paragraph on page 210. What can you infer about Miguel’s hope about what will change for farm
workers in the United States? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus”

Marta:

1. Re-read page 192. How does Marta respond to everything that has happened to her? How does Marta feel
about the strike? What does Marta explain to Esperanza? Cite evidence from the text in your answer.

2. Article 23 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of
his interests.” What does the word interests mean in the context of this article? How do you know? Reread pages
97, 132, 146, and 200. What “interests” does Marta want to protect for the farm laborers? Cite evidence from
the text in your answer.

3. Reread 208-209. How are Marta and Esperanza alike? What does Marta mean when she says that she misjudged
Esperanza? Explain your answer by citing details from the text.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

Esperanza:
1. Reread pages 184 and 200. At first, how does Esperanza respond to seeing the strikers? What is most important
to her right now? How is she conflicted (confused) about what to do? Cite evidence from the text to support
your answer.

Esperanza is scared and wants to run away. “…she wanted to run back to the safety of the camp…anything
but this.” (p. 200) Esperanza only wants to take care of her mother. “Remember, Mama, I will take care of
everything.” (p. 184) “…her mother was sick. That she had to pay bills.” (p.200) Esperanza supports why the
strikers are doing what they are doing, but does not want to strike herself. “…she did not want anyone’s children
to starve.” (p. 200)

2. Reread pages 208-211 and page 212. How does Esperanza help the strikers? Why does she help them? Cite
evidence from the text to support your answer.

Esperanza helps Marta escape by keeping her hidden in the asparagus crates and giving her an apron so
she could trick the guards. “When you leave, put on the apron and carry the asparagus so you’ll look like a
worker…” (p. 209). Esperanza believes that the farm workers have a right to work like everyone else. “They
have a right to be here.” (p. 209) “More than anything, Esperanza hoped that Marta and her mother were
together…” (p. 212)

3. Article 23 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and
favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.” What does the word favourable mean?
How did you figure out? Would Esperanza agree with Article 23? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text
to support your answer.

Favourable means good because the same sentence talks about working conditions and that is what people
want, good working conditions. Also, the root word of favourable is favor and that makes me think of doing
something for someone else so that their work is protected. Esperanza would agree with this article because she
wants to help the strikers. She helps Marta and the family from the strikers’ camp.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

Miguel:
1. Article 23 of the UDHR states: “Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring
for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other
means of social protection.” What does the word remuneration mean? How did you figure it out? Would Miguel
agree with Article 23? Why or why not? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Remuneration sounds like it has something to do with money because of the root word “munerate”. Also the
sentence is talking about work and family and being worthy. Miguel is concerned about the workers coming in
that are willing to work for very low wages, He says, “People cannot survive on such low wages.” (p. 203) Yet, he
feels that the strikers have the right to voice their opinion. He says, “It’s a free country…” (p.203

2. Reread pages 196-197. How does Miguel feel about the strike? What is most important to him right now? Cite
evidence from the text to support your answer.

Miguel basically agrees with the cause of the strike but is more worried about his own future and sees this as an
opportunity for him to do what he wants to do. Miguel says, “What the man says is true…but…I might be able
to get a job at the railroad.” Esperanza thinks, “For him, the strike was an opportunity to work at the job he
loved and to make it in this country…”

3. Reread the last paragraph on page 210. What can you infer about Miguel’s hope about what will change for farm
workers in the United States? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Miguel thinks that farm laborers conditions will not get better and that there will be another strike eventually. “It
is not over…In time, they will be back…They will reorganize and they will be stronger. There will come a time
when we will all have to decided all over again whether or not to join them or not.”

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
Jigsaw Task Cards for Chapter 12: “Los Espárragos/Asparagus”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

Marta:

1. Re-read page 192. How does Marta respond to everything that has happened to her? How does Marta feel
about the strike? What does Marta explain to Esperanza? Cite evidence from the text in your answer.

Marta is angry about having to move again because they were going to strike but she is determined to fight for
their rights. “…I’m not welcome here. We aren’t going to work under those disgusting conditions and for those
pitiful wages.” She is feeling hopeful because there are many others who support the strike. “There are hundreds
of us…, but thousands around the country and more people join our cause every day.” She feels that Esperanza
does not understand. “You are new here, but in time you will understand what we are trying to change.”

2. Article 23 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of
his interests.” What does the word interests mean in the context of this article? How do you know? Reread pages
97, 132, 146, and 200. What “interests” does Marta want to protect for the farm laborers? Cite evidence from
the text in your answer.

Interests are things that are important for people. The article talks about protecting interests and people protect
things that are important to them. Marta and the farm laborers who are striking are fighting for “…higher
wages and better housing…hot water” (p. 97, 132) “To eat and feed our children.” (p. 146) “Help us feed our
children!” (p.200)

3. Reread 208-209. How are Marta and Esperanza alike? What does Marta mean when she says that she misjudged
Esperanza? Explain your answer by citing details from the text.

Marta and Esperanza are alike because they both want to protect and help their mothers. “I must take care of
my mother.” (p.208) At first, Marta thought Esperanza did not care about the workers and did not support the
strike but after she helps her escape the immigration officers she changes her mind.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 14

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 12
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Chapter 13: “Los Duraznos/Peaches” (pages 214–233)

How is Esperanza similar to the other characters in the novel? How is she different from the other
characters?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
discuss with your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track
of your thinking with your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 15

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
GATHERING EVIDENCE AND DRAFTING A TWO-VOICE POEM (CHAPTER 13: “LOS DURAZNOS/PEACHES”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can use quotes to support my inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text (two or more characters’ points of view, settings, events). (RL.5.3)
I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes) in text. (RL.5.4)
I can describe how a narrator’s point of view influences the description of events. (RL.5.6)
I can effectively engage in a discussion with my peers. (SL.1)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza Rising that I have read independently. • Comprehension Quiz,
• I can explain the structure of a two-voice poem. Chapter 13: “Los
• I can compare and contrast Esperanza to another main character in Esperanza Rising. Duraznos/Peaches”
• I can use evidence from Esperanza Rising that supports my inferences about two different characters, (entrance ticket)
particularly how the two characters respond to challenges. • Two-Voice Poem
• I can collaborate with peers to plan and draft a Two-Voice Poem. graphic organizer (side A
completed, side B begun)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
GATHERING EVIDENCE AND DRAFTING A TWO-VOICE POEM (CHAPTER 13: “LOS DURAZNOS/PEACHES”)

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance: Read Chapter 13.
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension • In advance: Preview YouTube video (see materials, below).
Quiz, Chapter 113: “Los • During Lessons 13 and 14, students work with the last two chapters of the novel, but with less
Duraznos/Peaches” (5 minutes) teacher support. This is intentional; by this point in the study, students should be becoming
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter increasingly independent. These chapters are also formally revisited in Lesson 15, before students
Review (5 minutes) begin their formal analytical essay about how Esperanza has grown and changed.
2. Work Time • Lessons 13 and 14 engage students in working with a partner or their triad to write a Two-Voice
A. Mini Lesson: Two-Voice Poem Poem, in which they compare and contrast Esperanza to one of the other main characters in the
(15 minutes) novel. Note that this poem is an assignment, NOT a formal assessment. Students are not given time
B. Reviewing Character T-Notes/ in these two lessons to create a final polished piece. Rather, the purpose is for students to continue
Charts (15 minutes) working with reviewing textual evidence and planning writing in an engaging, creative way (more
C. Collaborative Work: Planning a interesting, for example, than a Venn diagram). This planning serves as a scaffold to students’ more
Two-Voice Poem (15 minutes) formal writing in Lessons 16–18.
3. Closing and Assessment • Feel free to allocate additional time in other parts of the school day for students to polish and
A. Sharing (5 minutes) perform their poems to a wider audience.
• To learn more about Two-Voice poems, read Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman or www.writingfix.com/
PDFs/Comparison_Contrast/Poem_Two_Voices.pdf
• In advance: prepare an anchor chart: Gathering Evidence for My Writing
• Students may benefit from instruction and review: wonder, feel, pretend, dream, believe, worry, hear

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
GATHERING EVIDENCE AND DRAFTING A TWO-VOICE POEM (CHAPTER 13: “LOS DURAZNOS/PEACHES”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

Vocabulary: inference, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
explain, perform, • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 13: “Los Duraznos/Peaches” (entrance ticket)
character, poem, • Students’ character T charts (from earlier lessons)
structure, evidence, • Reading journals
dialogue • Evidence flags
• Sticky notes
Note: Key vocabulary from • YouTube video Immigration Two-Voice Poems: www.youtube.com/watch?v=owb-B0h7iXw
Chapter 13 is addressed in • Sample Two-Voice Poem: “I Am an Immigrant” (transcription of poem from YouTube video)
Lesson 14 homework and • LCD projector (to show YouTube immigration poem)
Lesson 15 classwork. • Sample Two-Voice Poem graphic organizer (two-sided) to use during guided practice with YouTube video
• Blank Two-Voice Poem graphic organizer (two sided) one per pair/triad of students
• Chart paper for new anchor chart: Planning My Writing (this will be used again in Lessons 15–16)
• Chart paper for new anchor chart: Two-Voice Poems

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 13: : “Los Duraznos/Peaches” (5 minutes) • Consider providing
• Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 13: “Los Duraznos/Peaches” entrance ticket. Collect extra time for tasks and
students’ quizzes to review/assess. answering questions in class
discussions. ELLs often
need more time to process
and translate information.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
GATHERING EVIDENCE AND DRAFTING A TWO-VOICE POEM (CHAPTER 13: “LOS DURAZNOS/PEACHES”)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) • Visuals can help ELLs and
• After the quiz, lead the class in a brief whole class review session, cold-calling students to elicit a summary of other students comprehend
Chapter 13. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What was this chapter mostly about?” and “What questions and discussions.
happened in this chapter?” Encourage students to cite evidence or point to specific passages. Note which students Chart main points in
are able to answer the questions, and the quality of the answers. answers and post all
• Ask: “Why do you think Miguel left the camp?” Listen for students to make the connection to the answer to the questions asked to students
second question in the comprehension quiz: He is upset about being replaced as a mechanic by people who do
not know as much as he does. Ask students to cite examples of how else the Okies are treated differently than the
Mexican immigrants. Look for students to share about Isabel not being chosen as the Queen, the new camp that is
being built for them, and the Mexicans only being able to swim in the pool once a week and only right before it is
cleaned. Ask students what they might write on their evidence flag on these pages to help them remember what
this chapter was mostly about. If needed, model writing: “This chapter is mostly about Miguel leaving and Mama
coming home.”
• Then ask the last question from the quiz again:
* “At the end of the chapter, Esperanza experiences two surprises. What are they?” Focus the students’ discussion
on the missing money.
• Do not confirm or deny any of their suspicions at this time.
• Return students’ Entrance and Exit tickets and from Lesson 12, as well as the Mid-Unit 2 Assessment, if you did
not already return it in previous lessons. Address any major misconceptions. Ask students to hold on to these
Entrance and Exit tickets: they will want to refer to them for their writing later in the unit.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
GATHERING EVIDENCE AND DRAFTING A TWO-VOICE POEM (CHAPTER 13: “LOS DURAZNOS/PEACHES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Mini Lesson: Two-Voice Poem (10 minutes) • All students developing
• Review the learning target: “I can compare and contrast Esperanza to another main character in Esperanza Rising.” academic language will
Ask students to turn and talk about the meaning of the words compare and contrast. Clarify as needed. Remind benefit from direct
students of all the ways they have been comparing Esperanza to other characters throughout the novel; one instruction of academic
specific example is how different Esperanza’s perspective to the camp was than Isabel’s (Lesson/Chapter 7). vocabulary.
• Tell students that they will get to be creative as they compare and contrast their two characters. Specifically, they • Consider posting
will be working with a partner or their triad to write a two-voice poem. nonlinguistic symbols
• Review the learning target: “I can explain the structure of a two-voice poem.” Circle the word structure and ask with key vocabulary
students to explain what the word structure means. terms (e.g., a building for
• Explain a two-voice poem: “A two-voice poem is written for two people to perform. The poetry usually has two structure) to assist ELLs
columns—one for each person who is reading the poem. Each person reading the poem reads the text in one of with comprehension and
the columns. Sometimes, the poet wants the two readers to say something at the same time; so the poet writes the making connections.
words on the same line in each column. These poems often sound like a dialogue for two people.” • When playing videos, use
• Share the YouTube video “Immigration Two-Voice Poems” with the students so they can see a two-voice poem the English subtitles (or
performed: www.youtube.com/watch?v=owb-B0h7iXw transcripts of the video) if
• After students have heard examples of two-voice poems, have them share out what they learned about two-voice available. (see supporting
poems. Create an anchor chart: Two-Voice Poems with criteria for success. Be sure students have included the materials) Providing a
following: visual can assist ELLs and
* The two voices speak together for things that are similar other struggling learners
* Each voice is clear, distinct, consistent in understanding the
* The writer balances the lines said separately and those read together content of the video.
* The writer uses figurative language to make the writing engaging
• On the overhead, show students the Sample Two-Voice Poem: “I Am an Immigrant” (transcription of poem
from YouTube video)
• Ask students to turn and talk, then share out, about what they notice about the structure of the poem.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
GATHERING EVIDENCE AND DRAFTING A TWO-VOICE POEM (CHAPTER 13: “LOS DURAZNOS/PEACHES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Reviewing Character Notes/T Charts (15 minutes) • Students needing
• Review the learning target: “I can use evidence from Esperanza Rising that supports my inferences about two additional supports
different characters, particularly how the two characters respond to challenges.” may benefit from
• Review the words evidence and inferences. Ask students to turn and talk about the various ways they have been partially filled-in graphic
gathering evidence about the main characters through their study of the novel. Invite a few students to share out. organizers.
Listen for students to mention the character notes/T charts, their triad discussions, their exit tickets, and all their • Consider allowing
discussion and close reading about the challenges characters in the novel face, and how various characters have students to draw their
responded. observations, ideas, or
• Tell students that today they need to choose which character they want to compare and contrast to Esperanza in notes when appropriate.
their two-voice poem. Tell them that they probably will not have time to create a perfect polished poem, and that This allows ELLs
is all right. The purpose is to have a creative way to think more carefully about Esperanza and the other characters, to participate in a
in order to understand important events and ideas in the novel. meaningful way.
• Post the anchor chart: Gathering Evidence for My Writing, which should list the following instructions:
* Review your notes in your reading journal
* Review your exit tickets
* Review your evidence flags
* Add new evidence flags if you find new evidence
• Direct students specifically to their notes and T-charts regarding the following characters:
* Esperanza (ongoing)
* Mama (Lessons/Chapters 3, 4, 10)
* Abuelita (Lessons/Chapter 3, 4, 9, 10)
* Miguel (Lessons/Chapters 3, 9, 11, 12)
* Isabel (Lessons/Chapter 7)
* Marta (Lesson/Chapter 12)—students did not do a T-chart
* All (Chapter 13: today’s reading)
• Tell students that they are welcome to review other chapters as well; they have marked key passages with their
evidence flags.
• Give students 10 minutes to work either on their own or as a triad. Be clear with students that all triad members
do not need to choose the same character for their poem

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
GATHERING EVIDENCE AND DRAFTING A TWO-VOICE POEM (CHAPTER 13: “LOS DURAZNOS/PEACHES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• After 10 minutes, ask students to choose the character they want to compare/contrast with Esperanza. Give each
student two sticky notes.
• On one sticky note, students should write how their character is similar to Esperanza, citing a page number that
has evidence.
• On the second sticky note, students should write how their character is different from Esperanza, citing a page
number that has evidence.
C. Collaborative Work: Planning a Two Voice Poem (15 minutes) • ELLs may need to clarify
• If all students in a triad chose the same character, they may stay in a triad to create their Two-Voice Poem. Or if vocabulary words on the
they prefer, they may work with a new partner. Ask students to regroup in twos or threes, based on the character “I Am an Immigrant”
they want to compare/contrast with Esperanza. poem handout. Check
• In their triads or new groups, ask students to share their sticky notes: for comprehension
* How is this character similar to Esperanza? What is your evidence? and encourage use of
* How is this character different from Esperanza? What is your evidence? bilingual dictionaries.
• Encourage them to focus in particular on how the two characters respond to challenges. (Refer back to the If students struggle,
learning target as needed). consider allowing them
• Distribute the Two-Voice Poem graphic organizer (two-sided). Remind students of the modeling they saw after to write the poem in their
watching the YouTube video. L1 first and then try to
• Ask students to complete Side A of the graphic organizer, including reference to specific excerpts from the text or translate it into English.
page numbers. Ask students to get signoff from you on Side A. • Consider partnering an
• After the students have collected a rich set of evidence about both characters, they may begin creating their rough ELL with a student who
drafts (Side B of graphic organizer). Tell students that their poems should include direct quotes from the novel, as speaks the same L1, when
well as paraphrases and their own inferences (give examples to define paraphrase and inference). Model as needed. discussion of complex
• Circulate to listen in and support as needed. Identify a few groups who have some strong draft lines on Side B, so content is required.
you can call on these students during the sharing at the end of this lesson. This can let students
• Tell them that in the next lesson, they will have a bit more time in the next lesson to work on their draft poem have more meaningful
before they get some feedback from peers. Remind them that the poem does not have to be perfect or polished: discussions and clarify
the purpose is to think more carefully about Esperanza and the other characters, in order to understand important points in their L1.
events and ideas in the novel.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 7
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
GATHERING EVIDENCE AND DRAFTING A TWO-VOICE POEM (CHAPTER 13: “LOS DURAZNOS/PEACHES”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Sharing (5 minutes) • Consider partnering an ELL with
a student who speaks the same
Note: there is no new exit ticket/independent writing for the closing of this lesson. Choose whether to collect students’ Two-Voice L1, when discussion of complex
Poem graphic organizers or to have students continue working on them as a part of their homework. content is required. This can allow
students to have more meaningful
• Gather the students in a whole group. Review the learning targets with students. Ask students to share with discussions and clarify points in
a partner their progress toward meeting the learning targets. Cold-call a few students to share their, or their their L1.
partner’s, discussion of the learning targets with the whole class.
• Invite a few students to share out lines from their draft poem.
• Ask peers to offer one piece of specific praise. “I like how you_______________________________”

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Read Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes” (pages 234–253) in Esperanza Rising. Use the Purpose for Reading • Audio recordings of text can aid
Chapter 14 homework question to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to mark the specific areas in some students in comprehension.
the book that support your answer. Students can pause and replay
• Optional Part 2 homework: Continue filling in your Two-Voice Poem graphic organizer. confusing portions while they
follow along with the text.
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the
day or first thing in the morning. In addition, students likely to need additional support should pre-read this novel with support
during intervention or other support periods. Pre-reading with support will then allow students to spend class periods re-reading
and focusing on evidence.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 8
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
Comprehension Quiz Entrance Ticket (Chapter 13: “Los Duraznos/Peaches”)

Name:
Date:

1. What is Isabel praying so hard for?

2. Why is Miguel upset and how does Esperanza react?

3. What does Esperanza give Isabel? Why?

4. At the end of the chapter, Esperanza is surprised by something. What happened?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
Sample Two Voice Poem: “I Am an Immigrant” (YouTube video)

Miriam Both Lupita

My name is Miriam. I’m from
Peru.
My name is Lupita. I’m from Mexico.

I am an immigrant.
My father died leaving us in poverty.
We needed money.
The father of my children went
to America in search of money.
I crossed the boarder to America.
My journey was long and hard.
My journey was short and luxu-
rious.
I have family here.
But I left the corpses behind.
I took my family with me.
I have a better paying job.
I am a teacher at the school
molding minds like clay.
I work in the fields pulling vegetables
from the earth.
I try to keep an atmosphere that
honors my family’s heritage.
I still wear braids to represent my
Mexican culture.
I still practice my own religion. But I
am learning English.
I will stay here because I am a
citizen.
I will soon go back to Mexico.

I live in America.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
Two-Voice Poem Graphic Organizer (two-sided)

Character 1 Both Characters Character 2

(Esperanza) How are they alike? ________________
(General notes) (General notes) (General notes)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
Two-Voice Poem Graphic Organizer, Side B:
Actual Words for the Characters to Say in the Poem

Esperanza says this alone Both voices say together: Other Character says this alone
_______________________.

I am ___________________.

I am ___________________.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 12

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 13
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes” (pages 234–253)

How is Esperanza changing? Pay particular attention to rich quotes to include in the two-voice poem.

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to discuss with
your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track of your thinking with
your evidence flags.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 13

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 14
WRITING, CRITIQUE, AND REVISING: TWO-VOICE POEMS (CHAPTER 14: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can use the writing process to produce clear and coherent writing (with support). (W.5.5)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can answer comprehension questions based on text from Esperanza Rising that I have • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/
read independently. Grapes” (entrance ticket)
• I can contrast how two characters in Esperanza Rising respond to challenges, using a • Two-Voice Poems (drafts
Two-Voice Poem format.
• I can use evidence from Esperanza Rising that supports my inferences about two different
characters, particularly how the two characters respond to challenges.
• I can collaborate with peers to plan and draft a Two-Voice Poem.
• I can give specific feedback that will help other students make their writing better.
• I can use feedback that I receive from others and self-reflection to improve my writing.

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In Advance: Review Chapter 14 assigned for
A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes” (5 minutes) homework the night before in order to lead the oral
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) chapter review.
2. Work Time • Review the Praise-Question-Suggest protocol
A. Collaborative Work: Drafting a Two-Voice Poem (10 minutes) (Appendix 1)
B. Peer Critique: Praise-Question-Suggest protocol (20 minutes) • Some vocabulary is not academic or domain-
C. Revising Two-Voice Poem (15 minutes) specific, and students may benefit form instruction
3. Closing: Debrief (5 minutes) and review: praise, suggestion

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 14
WRITING, CRITIQUE, AND REVISING: TWO-VOICE POEMS (CHAPTER 14: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

contrasts, specific, feedback, self-reflection, two voice, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
paraphrase, inference • Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes” (entrance ticket)
• Anchor chart: Two-Voice Poems (from Lesson 13)
Note: Key vocabulary from Chapter 13 is addressed in Lesson 14 • Two-Voice Poem graphic organizer (begun in Lesson 13)
homework and Lesson 15 classwork. • Evidence flags

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Entrance Ticket: Comprehension Quiz, Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes” (5 minutes) • Consider providing extra time for
• Students should be sitting with their Two-Voice Poem group (which may or may not be their triad) tasks and answering questions in
• Begin the lesson with the Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes” entrance ticket. class discussions. ELLs often need
Collect students’ quizzes to review/assess. more time to process and translate
information.
B. Engaging the Reader: Oral Chapter Review (5 minutes) • Visuals can help ELLs and other
• After the quiz, lead the class in a brief whole class review session, cold-calling students to elicit a students comprehend questions and
summary of Chapter 13. Start with an open-ended question, such as: “What was this chapter mostly discussions. Chart main points in
about?” and “What happened in this chapter?” Encourage students to cite evidence or point to specific answers and post all questions asked to
passages. Note which students are able to answer the questions, and the quality of the answers. students
• Return students’ entrance and exit tickets and from Lesson 13. Address any major misconceptions. Ask
students to hold on to these entrance and exit tickets: They will want to refer to them for their writing
later in the unit.
• Tell students that they will return to the last two chapters of the novel in the next lesson. Today, their
main purpose is to keep working on their Two-Voice Poems.
• Then ask the students the focus question from the pervious lesson’s homework: “How is Esperanza
changing?” Call on a few students to share any specific quotes they found that they might include in their
Two-Voice Poems.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 14
WRITING, CRITIQUE, AND REVISING: TWO-VOICE POEMS (CHAPTER 14: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Collaborative Work: Drafting a Two-Voice Poem (10 minutes) • Consider providing
• Review the learning targets: “I can contrast how two characters in Esperanza Rising respond to challenges, using nonlinguistic symbols with
a Two-Voice Poem format,” “I can use evidence from Esperanza Rising that supports my inferences about two key vocabulary terms to aid
different characters, particularly how the two characters respond to challenges,” and “I can collaborate with peers ELLs in comprehension and
to plan and draft a Two-Voice Poem.” Ask students to turn and talk about the meaning of the words contrast and help students with making
how they have been using evidence in their poem to show that. Clarify as needed. Have students give specific connections.
examples of ways that they have been collaborating with peers that have been successful. • Visuals can help ELLs and
• Make sure that they remember what a Two-Voice Poem is by reviewing the prior day’s lesson and checking their other students comprehend
understanding. questions and discussions.
• Review the anchor chart: Two-Voice Poems from Lesson 13. Ask students to quickly turn and talk about the Chart main points in answers
criteria. and post all questions asked
• Give students just 5 to 6 minutes with their triad or new writing group to continue to draft their poem. to students
• Circulate to support as needed. Remind students that the purpose is not to write a perfect poem, but to think
about how the characters are similar and different, and what that tells us about themes in the novel.
B. Peer Critique: Praise-Question-Suggest protocol (20 minutes) • Consider partnering an ELL
• Bring the class back together for a brief model of how to conduct a critique session using the Praise-Question- with a student who speaks the
Suggest protocol. same L1, when discussion of
• Read the learning targets: “I can give specific feedback that will help other students make their writing better,” and complex content is required.
“I can use feedback that I receive from others and self-reflection to improve my writing” with the class. Remind This can allow students
students of the norms for giving feedback—be kind, be helpful, and be specific. to have more meaningful
• Do a very quick 5-minute model: Have one group share a few lines from their draft poem, and move through discussions and clarify points
the three steps of the protocol giving a praise, then a question, then a suggestion, making sure that the feedback in their L1.
is specific enough to the learning targets so that the student would be able to know exactly what to do to revise.
Coach as needed to ensure students understand the process and the type of feedback that is expected.
• Tell students that they have time now to briefly critique their partner’s work. Give each writing team 5 minutes to
read their poem and receive feedback. Once they each have had the opportunity to go through the protocol have
each person go through the protocol one more time with someone else in the class.
• Circulate as needed offering support and redirection. Make sure students are giving feedback that is specific
enough.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 14
WRITING, CRITIQUE, AND REVISING: TWO-VOICE POEMS (CHAPTER 14: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Revising Two-Voice Poem (15 minutes) • For ELLs, consider providing
• Give students time to revise their work based on the feedback they just received. Circulate to support as needed. extra time for tasks and
• Tell students that tomorrow, they will have a bit more time to finish their poems, and then will get to perform answering questions in class
them in front of the class. Remind students that the goal is not a perfect poem: They are simply showing what discussions. ELLs often need
they understand about the characters in the novel in a creative way. more time to process and
translate information

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 14
WRITING, CRITIQUE, AND REVISING: TWO-VOICE POEMS (CHAPTER 14: “LAS UVAS/GRAPES”)

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Debrief (5 minutes) • For students needing additional
• Gather the whole group. Tell students they will get to finalize and perform their poems during the next supports producing language,
lesson. Review the learning targets with students by having a few students read them out loud. Ask students consider offering a sentence
to share their reflections on how the process is going and any questions relevant to everyone. If time permits, frame, sentence starter, or a cloze
ask a few students to share strong segments from their poems. sentence to assist with language
production and provide the
structure required.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Reread excerpts from Chapter 13: “Los Duraznos/Peaches” and Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes” in • Audio recordings of text can aid
Esperanza Rising. Use the Purpose for Reading homework to focus your reading. Use evidence flags to some students in comprehension.
mark the specific areas in the book that support your answer. Students can pause and replay
confusing portions while they
Note: If concerned about students completing the reading assignment at home, plan an additional reading period later in the follow along with the text.
day or first thing in the morning. In addition, students likely to need additional support should preread this novel with support
during intervention or other support periods. Prereading with support will then allow students to spend class periods rereading and
focusing on evidence.

Optional: Share draft poem with an adult. Coach the adult on how to give specific, kind, and helpful feedback. Ask adults for
praise, questions, and suggestions.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 14
Comprehension Quiz Entrance Ticket (Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes”)

Name:
Date:

1. What surprise did Miguel bring to Esperanza?

2. What special event happens in the last scene of the book?

3. What does Esperanza teach Isabel to do?

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 6

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 14
Homework: Purpose for Reading, Rereading Excerpts from Chapter 13:
“Los Duraznos/Peaches” and Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes” in Esperanza Rising.

How do the “big metaphors” in this novel show up again in these last two chapters? Why do you think
Pam Munoz Ryan did this?

As you read, think about this question. Use your evidence flags to mark specific passages in the text to
discuss with your triad. You do not need to write out answers as part of your homework; just keep track
of your thinking with your evidence flags. Also use your evidence flags to mark any phrases you might
want to add to your Two Voice poem.

Focus specifically on the following sections of Chapters 13 and 14:

Chapter 13: Los Duraznos/Peaches, pages 220- 225
Chapter 14: Las Uvas/Grapes, pages 243-247
Chapter 14: Las Uvas/Grapes, pages 248-251
Chapter 14: Las Uvas/Grapes, pages 252-253

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
REVISITING BIG METAPHORS AND THEMES; REVISING AND BEGINNING TO PERFORM TWO VOICE POEMS

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can determine the meaning of literal and figurative language (metaphors and similes) in text. (RL.5.4)
I can determine a theme based on details in the text. (RL.5.2)
I can use quotes to support my inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can adapt my speech for a variety of contexts and tasks, using formal English when appropriate. (SL.5.6)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can interpret five big metaphors in Esperanza Rising. • Observation of placement of evidence flags
• I can explain themes in Esperanza Rising. (homework and classwork)
• I can perform my Two Voice Poem. • Triad discussion/Chalk Talk
• Two-Voice Poems

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance, review Esperanza Rising (including but not limited to Chapters 13, “Los Duraznos/
A. Reviewing the Anchor Chart: Big Peaches,” and Chapter 14, “Las Uvas/Grapes”) noting examples of big metaphors (symbols) and
Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza themes.
Rising (2 minutes) • In advance: Review Text-Dependent Questions for Excerpts from Chapter 13, “Los Duraznos/
B. Engaging the Reader: Preparing for Chalk Peaches,” and Chapter 14, “Las Uvas/Grapes.”
Talk (8 minutes) • Review Chalk Talk (Appendix 1)
2. Work Time • In advance: Prepare the big metaphors charts for the Chalk Talk. Create five charts, for these five
A. Chalk Talk: Big Metaphors and Themes big metaphors: THE RIVER, THE HEARTBEAT, THE BLANKET, THE ROSE, and GRAPES/
in Esperanza Rising (20 minutes) HARVEST (consider having two charts of each metaphor). Post these charts around the room.
B. The Grapes Metaphor: Whole Class • For the sake of time, the phoenix metaphor on page 250 is not dealt with in detail in this lesson.
Discussion (15 Minutes) Students will think about the phoenix in Lesson 16. Pages 249–250 also are revisited in Lesson 16.
C. Finalizing and Performing Two-Voice • This lesson includes time for a few groups to perform their Two-Voice Poems. There is more time
Poems (20 minutes) in Lessons 16–18 for a few more groups to perform each day.
3. Closing and Assessment • Remember that the Two Voice Poem is an activity, not a formal assessment. If students are highly
A. Celebration (5 minutes) invested in their poems, consider giving more time during other parts of the day for them to polish
their poems and perform for an audience beyond their peers.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
REVISITING BIG METAPHORS AND THEMES; REVISING AND BEGINNING TO PERFORM TWO VOICE POEMS

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

interpret, identify, figurative language, metaphor; second-class • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
citizen, confront, prophecy, stitch • Evidence flags
• Text-Dependent Questions for Excerpts from Chapter 13, “Los Duraznos/
Peaches,” and Chapter 14, “Las Uvas/Grapes”
• Five big metaphors charts (see Teaching Note, above) and anchor chart Big
Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Reviewing the Anchor Chart: Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising (5 minutes) • Consider charting the main events
• Keep this short. Students will talk much more with their triads during the Chalk Talk. of the chapter. Providing a visual
• Students should sit with their triad. will assist ELLs and students
• Review today’s learning targets by reading them out loud to students. Call on a few students to explain what needing additional supports in
metaphors and themes are. Tell students that today they get to discuss the last few chapters in the novel and following the discussion.
some of them may be able to share their poems with the class. • Provide nonlinguistic symbols
• Briefly orient the class to the anchor chart: Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising. Invite for key words in the target to be
students to talk with their triads about what they noticed in the last two chapters. referred back to throughout the
module. Choose a symbol that
Note: there is no comprehension quiz in this lesson, since students took the quiz on the final chapter during Lesson 14. makes sense to you and your class.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
REVISITING BIG METAPHORS AND THEMES; REVISING AND BEGINNING TO PERFORM TWO VOICE POEMS

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Engaging the Reader: Preparing for Chalk Talk (10 minutes) • For ELLs or struggling readers,
• Return students’ entrance and exit tickets and from Lesson 14. Address any major misconceptions. Ask students consider asking them to focus
to hold on to these entrance and exit tickets: They will want to refer to them for their writing later in the unit. one just one big metaphor, or
• Remind students that throughout their study of the novel, they have had time to reread key passages, think on one a single question regarding
their own, and then talk with triads. Today, they will do the same. each of the five big metaphors.
• Choose a student to reread the learning target aloud: “I can interpret five big metaphors in Esperanza Rising.” • Consider providing sentence
Point out to them that four of these metaphors are ones they have discussed previously; one is new, but some stems or a partially completed
students may have already figured it out. text dependent questions
• Distribute Text-Dependent Questions for Excerpts from Chapter 13, “Los Duraznos/Peaches,” and to help them organize their
Chapter 14, “Las Uvas/Grapes” thinking.
• Ask students to think and mark evidence on their own, to prepare for the Chalk Talk. Tell students that it is fine
if they do not have time to think through every single question; they will continue to discuss with their triads.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
REVISITING BIG METAPHORS AND THEMES; REVISING AND BEGINNING TO PERFORM TWO VOICE POEMS

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Chalk Talk: Big Metaphors and Themes in Esperanza Rising (15 minutes) • Consider partnering an
• Ask the Purpose for Reading homework question from Lesson 14: ELL with a student who
• “How do the ‘big metaphors’ in this novel show up again in these last two chapters?” speaks the same L1, when
• “Why do you think Pam Muñoz Ryan did this?” discussion of complex
• Ask students to review their evidence flags from their homework and the independent work they just did to prepare content is required. This
for the Chalk Talk. can allow students to
• Explain the Chalk Talk protocol briefly to students. Point out the five big metaphors charts around the room: have more meaningful
* The River discussions and clarify
* The Heartbeat points in their L1.
* The Blanket • Consider allowing
* The Rose students to draw their
* The Grapes/Harvest observations, ideas, or
• Today, they are going to go with their triad to each of the five Chalk Talk charts and discuss the following two notes when appropriate.
questions: This allows ELLs
* “How does this big metaphor show up again in the last two chapters?” to participate in a
* “Why did the author do this? How does this ‘big metaphor’ help us understand an important message or theme in meaningful way.
the novel?”
• Tell students that each group will have a different color marker, so it’s clear which group has gone to which chart.
Before students begin, remind them to please start their writing way up at the top of the chart, since other groups will
be adding to the chart.
• Ask students to begin. Give them about 3 minutes to work on each chart, then rotate. (Note that students will need
less time for the later rounds, since peers from other groups will have already written many key comments. It is also
fine if not all groups make it to all five charts).
• Circulate to support and probe as necessary, pushing students to cite evidence and consider the “so what” of the
thematic purpose of these big metaphors.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 4
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
REVISITING BIG METAPHORS AND THEMES; REVISING AND BEGINNING TO PERFORM TWO VOICE POEMS

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. The Grapes Metaphor: Whole Class Discussion (10 Minutes) • As an extension, invite
• Ask students to share out key learnings from the Chalk Talk. Add to the class anchor chart: Big Metaphors and advanced students to also
Themes in Esperanza Rising. think about the phoenix
• Ask students to discuss whole group: metaphor (page 250).
* What did Papa mean when he told Esperanza, “Wait a little while and the fruit will fall into your hands”? (pages 223 Students discuss this big
and page 2). Listen for students to understand that Esperanza has learned about patience, that the harvest of her life metaphor in a future
has begun, and that as Miguel said, “everything will work out.” (page 233) lesson.
C. Finalizing and Performing Two-Voice Poems (20 minutes) • For students who
• Give students 10 minutes to revisit their Two-Voice Poems with their writing partners, possibly revising based on the struggle reading text or
discussion about big metaphors and themes. with language production,
• After about 10 minutes, invite some groups to perform their Two-Voice Poems with the class. consider giving them
• After each performance, ask students in the audience to offer one piece of specific praise about the content of the extended time to rehearse
poem. their poem out loud
before performing it in
front of others.
• Some students may
benefit from prerecording
their poem away from
other students and then
playing the recording
instead of standing in
front of the class to read
it out loud.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
REVISITING BIG METAPHORS AND THEMES; REVISING AND BEGINNING TO PERFORM TWO VOICE POEMS

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Celebration (3 minutes) • Consider providing extra time for
• Review the learning targets with students by rereading them out loud and asking students to turn and talk to tasks and answering questions
a partner about one of the big metaphors that they particularly liked in Esperanza Rising. Have them explain in class discussions. ELLs often
why they like it: how did that big metaphor help them understand the themes of the story? need more time to process and
• Congratulate students on their Two-Voice Poems. Remind students who did not perform today that they will translate information.
have time during the upcoming lessons.
• Collect students’ Two-Voices Poems, or let them continue revising as a part of their homework.
• Commend students for how well they have come to understand the main characters in the novel, how they
respond to challenges, and how Esperanza in particular has grown and changed. They will get to write about
this more formally in the upcoming lessons.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• If you have finished the Two-Voice Poem and the novel, you have no homework. • Audio recordings of text can aid
• If you need to, finish your poem or the novel. some students in comprehension.
Students can pause and replay
Note: To prepare for Lesson 16, copy the Sample Paragraph (in Lesson 16 Supporting Materials) onto a piece of chart paper. confusing portions while they
follow along with the text.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 6
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
Text-Dependent Questions for Excerpts from Chapter 13:
“Los Duraznos/Peaches” and Chapter 14: “Las Uvas/Grapes”

Note: You will not have time to think about all of these questions. That is fine.
You will get to talk about these questions more with your triad during the Chalk Talk.

The river
• What do Esperanza and Miguel fight about on pages 220–224?
• What does Miguel mean when he says he was a second-class citizen in Mexico? (page 222)
• What does Esperanza mean when she says she wants Miguel to confront his boss? (page 222)
• Why did Miguel call Esperanza a queen? (pages 224 and 18)

The blanket
• On page 224, what does Esperanza try to explain to Miguel about her life?
• At the top of page 224, what might the word prophecy mean? How might you figure this out?
• On pages 243–247, the author repeats phrases about stitches up the mountain and down the valley. What is
the actual definition of a stitch? What is the other meaning in this passage?

The heartbeat
• On page 248, where do Esperanza and Miguel go?
• What happens while they are there, and why is this important? What message might the author be trying to
give readers?

The rose
• Why do Papa’s roses matter so much to Esperanza? (page 225)

Grapes/harvest
• At the bottom of page 246 through page 247, the author describes the grapes. What are the grapes a meta-
phor for? How do you know?
• What did Papa mean when he told Esperanza “Wait a little while and the fruit will fall into your hands?”
(pages 223 and page 2)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
Text-Dependent Questions for Excerpts from Chapter 13, “Los Duraznos/Peaches,” and Chapter
14, “Las Uvas/Grapes”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

The river
• What do Esperanza and Miguel fight about on pages 220-224?

They are arguing about Miguel deciding to dig ditches when the Oakies showed up to take over the
mechanics’ work. Esperanza is really upset about how they are being treated but is taking it out on Miguel.
She even calls him “a peasant…” like he was in Mexico. She wants him to “…speak up for yourself and
your talents.”

• What does Miguel mean when he says he was a second-class citizen in Mexico? (page 222)

Miguel is referring to the fact that she thought he wasn’t good enough for her. That he was just a servant and
they stood on opposite sides of the river. (the metaphor of their lives)

• What does Esperanza mean when she says she wants Miguel to confront his boss? (page 222)

Esperanza wants Miguel to have an argument with his boss. She wants Miguel to tell his boss that he should
treat him better, not like a second-class servant.

• Why did Miguel call Esperanza a queen? (pages 224 and 18)

Miguel has always called her his queen, ever since she referred to him as a peasant in Mexico. At first he did it
as an insult because he was hurt she did not think him good enough. Then it became more of a joke. In this
chapter, he is hurt again so he meant it as an insult.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 8

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
Text-Dependent Questions for Excerpts from Chapter 13, “Los Duraznos/Peaches,” and Chapter
14, “Las Uvas/Grapes”
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

The blanket
• On page 224, what does Esperanza try to explain to Miguel about her life?

Esperanza says, “See these perfect rows?...what my life would have been…Now my life is like the zigzag in
the blanket on Mama’s bed.” She means that she cannot predict what is going to happen anymore and it is all
messed up in her mind.

• At the top of page 224, what might the word prophecy mean? How might you figure this out?

Esperanza is referring to the fact that Miguel told her everything was going to be alright. She wanted to
know if he was able to predict the future.

• On pages 243-247, the author repeats phrases about stitches up the mountain and down the valley. What is
the actual definition of a stitch? What is the other meaning in this passage?

A stitch is one pass of the thread or yarn and a needle when sewing or crocheting. Because it is a metaphor
for Esperanza’s life, the stitches could also mean the events in her life, especially the things that happened to
her recently.

The heartbeat
• On page 248, where do Esperanza and Miguel go?

They went to where they could see the valley and be alone, the top of the hills.

• What happens while they are there, and why is this important? What message might the author be trying to
give readers?

They lie down on the ground and listen to the earth. They hear the heartbeat and she sees another vision, this
time a positive one. The author is trying to get readers to understand that things are getting better now and
Esperanza now has hope.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 15
Text -Dependent Questions for Excerpts from Chapter 13:
Los Duraznos/Peaches and Chapter 14: Las Uvas/Grapes
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

The rose
• Why do Papa’s roses matter so much to Esperanza? (page 225)

To Esperanza the roses are a memory of Papa and all the good things she remembers about her life with
him. When she sees them blooming, she wants to tell Miguel because she realizes that he would understand,
but he has already left.

Grapes/harvest
• At the bottom of page 246 through page 247, the author describes the grapes. What are the grapes a
metaphor for? How do you know?

The grapes are a metaphor about how life repeats itself. Mama had gotten sick at the end of the grape
harvest the year before (“Mama had breathed in the dust at the end of the grapes…”), and now they were
back again. To Esperanza it meant that they could start the year over, this time with hope. “…the grapes
were delivering another harvest and Esperanza was turning another year.”

• What did Papa mean when he told Esperanza “Wait a little while and the fruit will fall into your hands?”
(pages 223 and page 2)

Papa meant that she had to be patient and let things take their time, like when fruit is ripe. It will fall off
trees or vines. It tells you when it is ready.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART I: HOW ESPERANZA RESPONDS ON THE TRAIN (REVISITING CHAPTER 5: “LAS GUAYABAS/GUAVAS”)

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can use quotes to explain the meaning of literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can use quotes to support my inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can determine a theme based on details in the text. (RL.5.2)
I can summarize a literary text. (RL.5.2)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text. (RL.5.3)
I can write an informative/explanatory text. (W.5.2)
I can use the writing process to produce clear and coherent writing (with support). (W5.5)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can find evidence in Esperanza Rising that will support my inferences about how Esperanza • Partner Accordion graphic organizer (for
changes throughout the novel. Paragraph 1)
• I can analyze how Esperanza responds to a key event in the novel, and what this shows about her • Partner Draft Paragraph 1 (partially
character. completed)
• I can write an essay in which each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, a body, and a conclusion.

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • In advance: Copy the sample paragraph about Chapter 3 (in supporting materials) on to a
A. Celebration of Two Voice Poems (5 minutes) piece of chart paper, to show students during Work Time, B of this lesson.
2. Work Time • In this lesson, students revisit Chapter 5: “Las Guayavas/Guavas.” In advance, reread
A. How Esperanza Responded on the Train: Chapter 5 and review the text-dependent questions (see supporting materials). Two copies
Answering Questions in Triads (10 minutes) of the questions are provided: a blank to display for students, and one with answers for
B. Guided Practice: Introduction to Accordion teacher reference.
Graphic Organizer (25 minutes) • Students have done a lot of writing throughout this unit, but this lesson is their first
C. Introduction to Paragraph Writing formal paragraph writing instruction of the year.
(10 minutes) • For the guided practice (Work Time, Part A), be clear with students that you will model
D. Triad Group Writing: Beginning Paragraph 1 using the graphic organizer about one topic (when the ranch is set on fire, in Chapter 3:
(7-10 minutes) “Los Higos/Figs”). They will then do the same thing about a different topic (the events on
3. Closing and Assessment the train, from Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas”).
A. Sharing (3 minutes) • Review Ink-Pair-Share protocol (Appendix 1).

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 1
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART I: HOW ESPERANZA RESPONDS ON THE TRAIN (REVISITING CHAPTER 5: “LAS GUAYABAS/GUAVAS”)

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

informative, explanatory, • Students’ Two-Voice Poems
paragraph, essay, compares, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
contrasts, topic sentence, • Text-dependent questions for Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas”
body, conclusion • Accordion graphic organizer for Paragraph Writing (one per student, and one to display on document camera)
• Sample Paragraph Chapter 3 (copied onto chart paper); alternatively, write your own model paragraph.
• Green, blue and red markers; colored pencils for students
• Homework Handout: Planning and Organizing My Second Paragraph (includes accordion graphic organizer)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Sharing More Two-Voice Poems (5 minutes) • ELLs may be unfamiliar
• Invite a few more groups who haven’t yet shared their poems to do so. Again, have peers give specific praise. with Tier 2 vocabulary
• Celebrate their accomplishments—capturing the contrasting points of view of two characters from Esperanza Rising words (e.g., evidence,
in a poem. support, inference). Clarify
• Review the first learning target, “I can find evidence in Esperanza Rising that will support my inferences about how vocabulary with students
Esperanza changes throughout the novel.” Ask students to self-assess their progress toward meeting these targets as needed.
using a Fist-to-Five protocol.
• Return students’ entrance and exit tickets from Lesson 15. Address any major misconceptions. Ask students to hold on
to these entrance and exit tickets: They will want to refer to them for their writing later in the unit.

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. How Esperanza Responded on the Train: Answering Text-Dependent Questions in • Consider partnering an ELL with a student
Triads (10 minutes) who speaks the same L1, when discussion
• Have students get into their triad groups. of complex content is required. This can let
• Tell students that today they are going to dig back into Chapter 5: Las Guayavas/Guavas of students have more meaningful discussions
Esperanza Rising, in order to answer some questions about the human rights challenges Esperanza and clarify points in their L1.
faces or witnesses in the novel and how she responds to those challenges. Distribute copies of • Visuals can help some students comprehend
the novel as well as the Text Dependent Questions for Chapter 5 handout (one per student.) questions and discussions. Chart main points
Read through each of the questions and clarify any terms as necessary. As students work in their in answers and post all questions asked to
groups, move throughout the room to offer support as needed. students.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 2
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART I: HOW ESPERANZA RESPONDS ON THE TRAIN (REVISITING CHAPTER 5: “LAS GUAYABAS/GUAVAS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

B. Guided Practice: Introduction to Accordion Graphic Organizer (25 minutes) • Students needing
• Invite the class to read the learning targets aloud with you, “I can analyze how Esperanza responds to a key event in additional supports
the novel, and what this shows about her character.” may benefit from
• Use a document camera, or overhead projector, to display the Accordion Graphic Organizer for Paragraph partially filled-in graphic
Writing, and distribute a blank copy to each student. organizers.
• Tell students that they are going to start organizing their paragraphs, using the Accordion graphic organizer as a tool to
gather all the important information and details they will need in order to write a complete paragraph.
• Tell students that you will model, writing about when the ranch is set on fire from Chapter 4: “Los Higos/Figs.” They
will then do the same thing about a different event (from Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas,” which they just discussed).
• Read, and point to, the prompt from the first box (topic): “State the key event and/or challenge Esperanza faces.” Say,
“I will write about the challenge from Chapter 3, when the ranch is set on fire. I will write: “Ranch set on fire.”
• Remind students that graphic organizers do not need to include complete sentences, but ideas that will prompt their
thinking when they are ready to write their paragraphs.
• Tell students that they will now choose their topic, from Chapter 5. Ask them to think about the text-dependent
questions they just discussed with their triads. Clarify that their topic does not need to be really specific at this time.
They will add more details later.
• Prompt students to discuss with their triad:
* “In Chapter 5: ‘Las Guayabas,’ what is a specific event when Esperanza faces a challenge?” Look for suggestions
such as: Esperanza riding the train or Esperanza meeting Carmen.
• Invite a few triads to share their thinking. Give feedback as necessary, to be sure all students understand what a topic is:
the focus of their paragraph. Ask students to fill in the topic in the top box of their individual graphic organizer.
• Model for students the Detail box in the graphic organizer explaining that they should give more information about
the topic. Say: “Since the topic I am writing about is the ranch catching fire, the detail I will add shows what happened
to Esperanza when the ranch caught fire.” Then write: “Esperanza escapes fire; loses everything,” in the detail box.
Again, remind students that complete sentences are not necessary here.
• Ask students to now do the same thing on their graphic organizer, about the train ride from Chapter 5 beginning with
a discussion in their triads, followed by sharing out and finally writing in their graphic organizer. Provide clarification or
redirection if necessary on details.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART I: HOW ESPERANZA RESPONDS ON THE TRAIN (REVISITING CHAPTER 5: “LAS GUAYABAS/GUAVAS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Next, show students the third box on the graphic organizer, titled explain. Say: “The explain box is used to make a clear • Consider allowing
connection between the first detail and the next detail, more specifically what challenge Esperanza faces because of students to draw their
the ranch burning. My detail was about how Esperanza ‘escaped the fire, but loses everything,’ so I am going to write observations, ideas, or
‘Esperanza needs clothes from the poor box,’ to help explain what it means to lose everything even your clothes.” notes when appropriate.
• Ask students to now do the same thing on their graphic organizer, about the train ride from Chapter 5 by following This allows ELLs
the process with their triads. As students discuss, listen for groups who have strong examples of explaining the to participate in a
challenge Esperanza faces and have them share out. meaningful way.
• Be sure to point out why these are good examples of explain: “It tells why the detail is important, and the challenge
Esperanza faces.”
• Direct students’ attention to the second detail box, explaining that they will write about Esperanza’s response to the
event, using text directly from the book. Model this by turning to page 52 and showing students (using a document
camera or other resource) the sentence: “Mama, at a time like this, must we worry about some poor family who needs
clothes?” Write: “p. 52 poor box’” so they understand they do not need to write the full quote on the organizer.
• Have students discuss the second detail with their triads then fill out the next detail box about the train ride on their
graphic organizer. Listen for groups who have strong examples.
• Ask a few triads to share their second detail aloud with the class, pointing out that these phrases show something
specific about Esperanza’s reaction to the challenge she is facing.
• Share that the second explain box is where students will write what happens when Esperanza responds the way she
does. Model, by writing something such as “Mama says they are poor.”
• Ask students to now do the same thing for their topic, from Chapter 5, about the train ride, first discussing in their
triads. As students discuss, listen for groups who have strong examples (for example, students might notice that Mama
apologizes to Carmen for Esperanza’s bad manners). Ask a few triads to share aloud with the class.
• Remind students that the target they are working on is “To analyze how Esperanza responds to a key event in the
novel,” which is what they have just done by filling in their topic, details, and explains. But now they need to meet the
second part of the target, which is to analyze “What this shows about her character.”

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART I: HOW ESPERANZA RESPONDS ON THE TRAIN (REVISITING CHAPTER 5: “LAS GUAYABAS/GUAVAS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Direct students’ attention to the final space, conclusion. Think aloud, saying: “I am going to look back at my notes about
the topic, details and explains on my graphic organizer. They discuss how Esperanza loses everything, including her
clothes, in the fire; how she responds by thinking that the clothes left by the nuns must be for some poor family; and
then Mama has to explain that they are the ones who are poor. I am going to ask myself, what does this information
make me think about Esperanza’s character? I think it means Esperanza has always had everything she ever wanted, so
she can’t understand being poor or needing to accept charity. So I am going to write ‘Esperanza had everything; now
poor, can’t understand’ in the space for my conclusion.
• Ask students to now do the same thing for their topic, from Chapter 5, about the train ride first discussing in triads,
specifically “What can we infer?” then writing a note in the conclusion box of their graphic organizer.
• Have a few triads share out their conclusions.

C. Introduction to Paragraph Writing (10 minutes)

• Direct students to the learning target: “I can write an essay in which each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, a body,
and a conclusion.” Specifically clarify the words topic sentence, body and conclusion, adding clarifying words or synonyms.
• Then read the posted Sample Paragraph for Chapter 3 (on chart paper) to illustrate how the notes from the
graphic organizer were used to create a paragraph. Ask students what they notice about how the notes on the graphic
organizer are different from the Sample Paragraph (Listen for students to notice things like that the first line is
indented, there are complete sentences instead of notes, the sentences are connected not on separate lines, etc.)
• Using a different color marker for each, underline the topic statement, detail, explain, and conclusion on the graphic
organizer. Ask students to look at the chart and find the sentences in the paragraph that correspond to each part of
the graphic organizer. Underline each sentence with the same color marker as the corresponding part of the graphic
organizer. Point out to students that the first sentence of a paragraph is indented on the page. Tell students that the
detail and explain sentences make up the body of the paragraph and that the last sentence is the conclusion of the
paragraph.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 5
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART I: HOW ESPERANZA RESPONDS ON THE TRAIN (REVISITING CHAPTER 5: “LAS GUAYABAS/GUAVAS”)

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

D. Triad Group Writing: Beginning Paragraph 1 (7 minutes)
• Tell students that now they will start to draft their first paragraphs based on their graphic organizers about an event in
Chapter 5.
• Using the Ink-Pair-Share protocol, ask students to independently write a sentence that conveys the main idea of
their first paragraph (from the topic box on their graphic organizers), and then share their sentence with their partners.
Remind them to indent their first sentence. Lead a whole-class sharing of sentences, recording samples on the board
and reviewing the characteristics of good topic sentences. Ask students to underline their topic sentence in green.
• Repeat this process asking students to write two sentences for the body of their paragraph using the supporting
details they noted in the first detail and explain boxes of their graphic organizer. Point out to them that these sentences
continue after the topic sentence, and do not each start on their own line. Refer to the sample paragraph as a model.
After students complete the body sentences of their paragraph, ask them to share aloud and then underline those
sentences in blue.
• Continue as time permits; likely students will need to stop at this point, and continue drafting this first paragraph
during Lesson 17.

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Sharing (3 minutes) • ELL language acquisition is
• Invite a few students to share the first three sentences of their paragraphs aloud, and ask others to identify facilitated by interacting with
the characteristics of good topics, details, and explains evident in students’ partial drafts. native speakers of English who
provide models of language.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Complete the homework handout: Planning and Organizing My Second Paragraph sheet. To do this
assignment, you will need your entrance and exit tickets from chapters 8–15.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas” (pages 58–80)

1. On pages 66-67 Esperanza arrives at the train station in Zacatecas, and Alfonso
leads them past the fancy car with leather seats and the dining car to a one with
wooden benches, trash, and reeking of rotting fruit and urine. She also sees many
“peasants” crowded onto the seats. How does Esperanza respond to having to ride
on this train car? Use details from the text to explain your answer.

2. On pages 69-70 Esperanza takes the doll her Papa gave her out of its valise, and a
young girl runs up to her and tries to hold the doll. How does Esperanza respond to
the girl and what does Esperanza’s Mama say and/or do when Esperanza reacts the
way she does? Explain your answer with details from the text.

3. On pages 78-79 Esperanza sees Carmen give money and food to a begging woman.
Esperanza responds by asking why the beggar woman doesn’t just go get food from
the farmer’s market. What does this tell you about Esperanza’s character at this
point in the story? Cite evidence from the novel to support your answer.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
Text-Dependent Questions for Chapter 5: “Las Guayabas/Guavas” (pages 58–80)
(Answers, for Teacher Reference)

1. On pages 66-67 Esperanza arrives at the train station in Zacatecas, and Alfonso leads them past the
fancy car with leather seats and the dining car to a one with wooden benches, trash, and reeking of
rotting fruit and urine. She also sees many “peasants” crowded onto the seats. How does Esperanza
respond to having to ride on this train car? Use details from the text to explain your answer.

Possible responses: She couldn’t help but wonder if the people on the train car would steal from her; she tells
Mama they cannot travel in this car because it is not clean and the people seem untrustworthy; she says that
neither Papa or Abuelita would approve of them sitting in this train car (p. 67)

2. On pages 69-70 Esperanza takes the doll her Papa gave her out of its valise, and a young girl runs up
to her and tries to hold the doll. How does Esperanza respond to the girl and what does Esperanza’s
Mama say and/or do when Esperanza reacts the way she does? Explain your answer with details from
the text.

Possible responses: Esperanza quickly takes the doll away and puts it back in her valise. Mama apologizes to the
little girl’s mother for Esperanza’s rude behavior.

3. On pages 78-79 Esperanza sees Carmen give money and food to a begging woman. Esperanza
responds by asking why the beggar woman doesn’t just go get food from the farmer’s market. What
does this tell you about Esperanza’s character at this point in the story? Cite evidence from the novel
to support your answer.

Possible responses: Esperanza asks why the woman doesn’t just go buy food at the nearby farmer’s market,
instead of begging for food (p. 79). This shows that Esperanza doesn’t understand being poor or needing to
rely on other people for basic needs such as food.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16

Sample Paragraph about Chapter 3 (copy onto a piece of chart paper)

One night, the ranch catches fire and burns to the ground! Esperanza and her family safely escape, but lose
almost everything they own to the flames. Because Esperanza and Mama do not even have clean clothes to
wear, the nuns give them clothes from the “poor box.” When Esperanza sees the box left by the nuns she asks,
“Mama, at a time like this, must we worry about some poor family who needs clothes?” Mama calmly explains
to Esperanza that they are the ones who are poor because they have no home and no money, and the clothes
are for them. Esperanza can’t understand that she is no longer wealthy and will need to be grateful for the
charity of others now.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
Homework Handout: Planning and Organizing My Second Paragraph

1. Choose an event (from Chapter 8 through 15) that you want to write about. It should be a time when she
responds to or witnesses some type of challenge.

To help you choose, use your evidence flags and your Entrance and Exit Tickets from chapters 8-15. The list below
includes some suggestions of events you might choose, but you can choose a different event if you want.
a. Chapter 8 – Marta talking to workers about the strike.
b. Chapter 10 – Mama Esperanza working in fields when Mama becomes ill.
c. Chapter 11 – Going to Mr. Yakota’s grocery store; meeting campesino family.
d. Chapter 12 – Marta hiding from immigration officers.
e. Chapter 13 – People from Oklahoma having better living conditions (indoor toilets and swimming pool); Miguel
losing his engineering job at railroad; Isabel not being chosen for May Day Queen.

Complete the blank Accordion Graphic Organizer about that event. Make sure to bring this completed graphic
organizer to the next class! You will need it to write paragraph 2 of your essay.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 10

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 16
Accordion Graphic Organizer for Paragraph Writing

Topic: (State the key event and/or challenge

Esperanza faces)

Detail: (What happens to Esperanza?)

Explain: (Why is that first detail important?

How does it connect to the next detail?)

Detail: (Esperanza’s response to the event)

Explain: (What happens when Esperanza responds

the way she does?)

Conclusion: (What can we infer about Esperanza’s character based on how she responds?)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 11

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART II

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can use quotes to explain the meaning of literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can use quotes to support my inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can determine a theme based on details in the text. (RL.5.2)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text. (RL.5.3)
I can write an informative/explanatory text. (W.5.2)
I can use the writing process to produce clear and coherent writing (with support). (W.5.5)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can find evidence in Esperanza Rising that will support my inferences about characters from the • Accordion graphic organizer for Paragraph
book. 2 (homework)
• I can analyze how Esperanza responds to a key event in the novel, and what this shows about her • Partner and individual paragraphs
character.
• I can write an essay in which each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, a body, and a conclusion.

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • For this writing assignment, students are not given a
A. Review of Learning Targets and Criteria for Success (10 minutes) formal rubric. Rather, they work with the teacher to
2. Work Time create “criteria for success.” The rationale behind this
A. Guided Practice: Complete Draft Paragraph 1 (10 minutes) is to ensure that students actively contribute to and own
B. Peer Critique of Graphic Organizer for Paragraph 2 (10 minutes) the criteria upon which their writing will be assessed.
C. Independent Writing: Drafting Paragraph 2 (15 minutes) • Review: Catch and Release protocol (Appendix 1)
D. Group Discussion: How Esperanza Changes Over Time; the Phoenix Metaphor • Reread pages 249–250, thinking specifically about the
(10 minutes) phoenix metaphor, which students discuss in Part D of
3. Closing and Assessment work time.
A. Debrief (5 minutes)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART II

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

Informative, explanatory, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
paragraph, essay, compare, • Students’ completed graphic organizers for Paragraphs 1 and 2, as well as their incomplete draft of Paragraph 1
contrast, topic sentence, (from Lesson 16 classwork and homework)
body, conclusion, phoenix • Accordion graphic organizer for Paragraph Writing (from Lesson 16)
• Sample paragraph for Chapter 3 (copy on to chart paper)
• Paragraph 2 task card
• Accordion graphic organizer (repeated from Lesson 16; blank copies for students)
• Chart paper for anchor chart: Compare/Contrast Essay Criteria for Success

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Review of Learning Targets and Criteria for Success (10 minutes) • Visuals can help ELLs and other
• Invite a few groups who have not yet shared their Two-Voice poems to do so. Ask peers to give specific students comprehend questions
praise. and discussions. Chart main points
• Review today’s learning targets, which are the same as yesterday’s learning targets. Use the key words in the in answers and post all questions
learning targets to create the anchor chart Compare/Contrast Essay Criteria for Success with students. The asked to students
chart should include the following (as well as other criteria your class identifies): • Some students may be unfamiliar
* Citing evidence with Tier 2 vocabulary words.
* Making inferences Clarify vocabulary with students as
* Key events from the beginning and end of the novel needed.
* Paragraphs have topic sentence
* Paragraphs have supporting details
* Paragraphs have concluding sentence.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART II

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Guided Practice: Complete Draft Paragraph 1 (10 minutes) • ELL language acquisition is
• Have students gather in their triad groups and take out their two completed graphic organizers for Paragraphs facilitated by interacting with
1 and 2, as well as their incomplete draft of Paragraph 1. native speakers of English
• Display the Sample for Chapter 3 Accordion graphic organizer and Sample Paragraph (on chart paper) who provide models of
from the last lesson. Read the learning target aloud: “I can write an essay in which each paragraph has a clear topic language.
sentence, a body, and a conclusion.” • For students needing
• Review as needed, based on the sample graphic organizer and paragraph about the fire in Chapter 3. Direct additional supports
students to the second detail and explain on your graphic organizer about the fire. Ask students to find the producing language,
sentences in the Sample Paragraph that correspond to these parts of the graphic organizer, which are underlined in consider offering a sentence
blue. Underline the word body in the learning target. frame, sentence starter, or
• Give students 10 minutes to complete the draft of their first paragraph where Esperanza faced a challenge in a cloze sentence to assist
Chapter 5. with language production
• Use the Ink-Pair-Share protocol having students independently write two more sentences for their second detail and provide the structure
and explain and then share their sentence with their partners. required.
• Repeat this process with the conclusion, which is underlined in both the graphic organizer and sample paragraph.
Offer specific feedback as students share, noting good examples where students have analyzed what Esperanza’s
response to the event shows about her character.
• Ask students to hold on to their Paragraph 1 draft for now.
B. Peer Critique of Graphic Organizer for Paragraph 2 (10 minutes) • Consider providing
• Keep students in triads and ask students to exchange the graphic organizers they completed for homework, about extra time for tasks and
a second event later in the novel. answering questions in class
• Let students know they will use the feedback from their peers to help them write, revise, and finalize their discussions. ELLs often need
paragraphs for their final essays to be completed during the On-Demand End of Unit 2 Assessment in the next more time to process and
lesson. translate information.
• Ask students to give each other specific, kind, helpful feedback based on their graphic organizer in the form of
praises, questions, and suggestions.
• Encourage them to focus on the criteria: citing evidence and explaining.
• Circulate to listen in and support as needed. Identify students who may need additional support with their
Paragraph 2 graphic organizer.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART II

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

C. Independent Writing: Drafting Paragraph 2 (15 minutes) • Consider writing and
• Distribute the Paragraph 2 task card to students and ask them to start writing their second paragraphs. breaking down multistep
• They should begin with their Paragraph 2 graphic organizer (completed for homework) and the feedback they just directions into numbered
received from peers. elements. ELLs can return to
• For student reference, keep the Sample Accordion Graphic Organizer for Paragraph Writing and the Sample these guidelines to make sure
Paragraph posted where all students can see the charts. they are on track.
• Remind students to include a topic sentence, body, and conclusion in their paragraphs. Allow students to use • Students needing additional
the book, recording forms they created for each chapter, evidence flags, journals, note-catchers, and any relevant supports may benefit from
anchor charts with details about human rights challenges and character responses to support them during their partially filled-in graphic
writing. organizers.
• As students work, circulate to observe and support as needed. • For students who may be
• Collect students’ draft Paragraphs 1 and 2. They will need this for their on-demand assessment during Lesson 18. struggling, prompt them
to refer to their notes from
Chapter 10, since students
already closely analyzed how
Esperanza is growing as a
person and how her response
to challenges changes over
time.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART II

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

D. Group Discussion: How Esperanza Changes Over Time; the Phoenix Metaphor (10 minutes) • Visuals can help ELLs
Note: this discussion is intended as a scaffold for students’ on demand writing during Lesson 18. and other students
comprehend questions
• Tell students that in the next lesson, they will complete their essays on their own for the End of Unit 2 Assessment. and discussions. Chart
• Explain that their final essay will have three paragraphs. They have already written drafts of two of those paragraphs. main points in answers
• The final paragraph will be about how Esperanza grew and changed over time. They will compare and contrast how and post all questions
she responded to an event early in the novel to her response later in the novel. Today, they will get to think about this asked to students
topic some more as a class.
• Orient students to page 249, fifth paragraph, where it says: “As the sun rose, Esperanza began to feel as if she rose
with it.” Read aloud as students follow along. End of page 250 with the last sentence of this paragraph: “Miguel had
been right about never giving up, and she had been right, too, about rising above those who held them down.”
• Ask students the following question. Ask:
* “What is a phoenix?” If students are not familiar with what a phoenix is, explain that it is a mythological bird
resembling an eagle that lived for a long time then would burn itself out and be reborn from the ashes. Also explain
that a phoenix commonly appears in literature as a symbol of the end of one life and the beginning of a new life.
• Ask students to Think-Pair-Share regarding these questions:
* In what ways does Esperanza change as a person throughout the novel?
* Why do you think the author chose to compare Esperanza to a phoenix in these last pages of the book?
• Record student responses on chart paper so they may use them as a reference during the End-of-Unit 2 Assessment.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
PARAGRAPH WRITING, PART II

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Debrief (5 minutes) • ELL language acquisition is
• Ask students to consider: facilitated by interacting with
* “Would you have wanted to be Esperanza’s friend at the beginning of the novel? Would you want to be her native speakers of English who
friend at the end of the novel? Why or why not?” Allow students to Think-Pair-Share their responses. provide models of language.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

• Continue gathering any evidence to use in your End of Unit 2 assessment.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
Accordion Graphic Organizer for Paragraph Writing

Name:
Date:

Topic: (State the key event and/or challenge

Esperanza faces)

Detail: (What happens to Esperanza?)

Explain: (Why is that first detail important?

How does it connect to the next detail?)

Detail: (Esperanza’s response to the event)

Explain:(What happens when Esperanza responds the way

she does?)

Conclusion: (What can we infer about Esperanza’s character based on how she responds?)

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
Paragraph 2 Task Card

For your homework last night, you were asked to do the following:
1. Choose an event (from Chapter 8 through 15) that you want to write about. It should
be a time when she responds to or witnesses some type of challenge.

You might have chosen one of these events, or another event in the novel:
a. Chapter 8 – Marta talking to workers about the strike.
b. Chapter 10 – Mama Esperanza working in fields when Mama becomes ill.
c. Chapter 11 – Going to Mr. Yakota’s grocery store; meeting campesino family.
d. Chapter 12 – Marta hiding from immigration officers.

You completed a graphic organizer about the event you chose.

Now, write paragraph 2, about the event you chose from Chapters 8-15.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 17
Sample Paragraph about Chapter 3 (copy onto a piece of chart paper)

One night, the ranch catches fire and burns to the ground! Esperanza and her family safely escape, but lose
almost everything they own to the flames. Because Esperanza and Mama do not even have clean clothes to
wear, the nuns give them clothes from the “poor box.” When Esperanza sees the box left by the nuns she asks,
“Mama, at a time like this, must we worry about some poor family who needs clothes?” Mama calmly explains
to Esperanza that they are the ones who are poor because they have no home and no money, and the clothes
are for them. Esperanza can’t understand that she is no longer wealthy and will need to be grateful for the
charity of others now.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 9

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 18
END-OF-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT: ON-DEMAND ANALYTICAL ESSAY ABOUT HOW ESPERANZA CHANGES OVER TIME

LONG-TERM TARGETS ADDRESSED (BASED ON NYSP12 ELA CCLS)

I can use quotes to explain the meaning of literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can use quotes to support my inferences in literary texts. (RL.5.1)
I can determine a theme based on details in the text. (RL.5.2)
I can summarize a literary text. (RL.5.2)
I can compare and contrast literary elements using details from the text. (RL.5.3)
I can write an informative/explanatory text. (W.5.2)

SUPPORTING LEARNING TARGETS ONGOING ASSESSMENT

• I can find evidence in Esperanza Rising that will support my inferences about characters from the • Accordion graphic organizers
book. • Partner and individual paragraphs
• I can write an informative/explanatory three-paragraph essay that analyzes how Esperanza • End of Unit 2 Assessment: On-Demand
responds to two key events, and compares and contrasts her response to events over time. Analytical Essay about How Esperanza
• I can write an essay in which each paragraph has a clear topic sentence, a body, and a conclusion. Changes Over Time

AGENDA TEACHING NOTES

1. Opening • Note, because this is an on-demand
A. Review of Learning Targets and Review of Criteria for Success (10 minutes) assessment students will need to complete
2. Work Time their essays independently, without support.
A. Engaging the Writer: Esperanza from Beginning to End (10 minutes)
B. End-of-Unit 2 Assessment: Revising Paragraphs 1 and 2, Writing Paragraph 3 (35 minutes)
3. Closing and Assessment
A. Self-Assessment (5 minutes)

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 18
END-OF-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT: ON-DEMAND ANALYTICAL ESSAY ABOUT HOW ESPERANZA CHANGES OVER TIME

LESSON VOCABULARY MATERIALS

informative, explanatory, • Esperanza Rising (one per student)
paragraph, essay, compares, • Students’ draft Paragraphs 1 and 2 (from Lesson 17)
contrasts, topic sentence, • Accordion graphic organizer
body, conclusion, phoenix • On-Demand End of Unit 2 Assessment: Analytical Essay about How Esperanza Changes Over Time
• Anchor chart: Compare/Contrast Essay Criteria for Success (from Lesson 17)

OPENING MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Review of Learning Targets and Criteria for Success (10 minutes) • Provide nonlinguistic symbols to
• Allow any remaining groups who have not shared their Two Voice Poems to do so. Again have peers give assist ELLs and other struggling
specific praise. readers in making connections
• Review today’s learning targets, and the anchor chart of Compare/Contrast Essay Criteria for Success with vocabulary.
created in the previous lesson. Ask students if there are any additional criteria they want to add to the chart, • Providing anchor charts for
based on their paragraph drafts and the peer critique they received during Lesson 17. processes, such as “Criteria
for Success,” helps all learners
understand expectations clearly.

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 18
END-OF-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT: ON-DEMAND ANALYTICAL ESSAY ABOUT HOW ESPERANZA CHANGES OVER TIME

WORK TIME MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Engaging the Writer: Esperanza from Beginning to End (10 minutes) • ELL language acquisition is
• To help students prepare for their End of Unit 2 Assessment, ask a series of questions about how facilitated by interacting with native
Esperanza changes over the course of the novel. (Choose to do this whole group or in triads). speakers of English who provide
• Remind students of their discussion about the phoenix from the final chapter. As questions are posed ask models of language.
several students to share their thinking with the group. Ask students the following: • For students needing additional
• Do you think Esperanza grew and developed as a person throughout the novel? Support your answer with supports producing language,
evidence from the novel. consider offering a sentence frame,
• Compare: In what ways does Esperanza still behave the same at the end of the novel as she did in the sentence starter, or a cloze sentence
beginning? Give examples. to assist with language production
• Contrast: In what ways is Esperanza different at the end of the story than she was in the beginning? Give and provide the structure required.
examples.
• What is your opinion of Esperanza at the end of the novel?
B. End-of-Unit 2 Assessment: Revising Paragraphs 1 and 2, Writing Paragraph 3 (35 minutes) • Consider providing extra time for
• Post the End of Unit 2 Assessment prompt for all students to see. Read through the prompt and clarify any tasks and answering questions in
terms as necessary. class discussions. ELLs often need
• Tell students that while they are revising and writing their final paragraphs comparing and contrasting more time to process and translate
Esperanza’s character development over time, they will want to consider the peer critique they received information.
during the previous lesson. They should also refer to the anchor chart: Compare/Contrast Criteria for • Optional extension: If any students
Success (from Lesson 17); the sample paragraph on chart paper; the discussion at the beginning of class as finish early, offer the option to
well as the discussion about Esperanza being compared to a phoenix during the previous lesson (student create an accompanying illustration
responses recorded on chart paper); their evidence flags, recording forms/note-catchers, journals, and other for their essays that shows how
relevant anchor charts about human rights challenges and character responses, as tools to support them Esperanza’s responses to human
during the final writing process. rights challenges changed over the
• Collect students’ essays to formally assess. course of the novel.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved. 3
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 18
END-OF-UNIT 2 ASSESSMENT: ON-DEMAND ANALYTICAL ESSAY ABOUT HOW ESPERANZA CHANGES OVER TIME

CLOSING AND ASSESSMENT MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

A. Self-Assessment (5 minutes) • For students needing additional
• Have students complete the essay self-assessment (at the end of the Unit 2 Assessment handout) and hand supports producing language,
it in with their complete essays. Ask students to share what they celebrated about their essays on the self- consider offering a sentence
assessments they just completed. Make sure to congratulate students on completing the novel and their frame, sentence starter, or a cloze
analysis essays of Esperanza as a character! sentence to assist with language
• Remind students that in Unit 3, they will get to actually write and perform scenes based on some of the key production and provide the
events in Esperanza Rising. structure required.

HOMEWORK MEETING STUDENTS’ NEEDS

Note: In the next unit, students will be
learning about and participating in Readers’
Theater. Familiarize yourself with what
Readers’ Theater is and how it is used
with students in the classroom (see Unit 3
Overview for suggested resources.)

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1

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 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 18
End-of-Unit 2 Assessment

Analytical Essay about How Esperanza Changes Over Time

How does Esperanza change over time? Analyze how Esperanza responds to events early and
late in the novel. Then compare her response to the two events. What do her responses show
about her as a person?

1. Your first paragraph will be about a key event in Chapter 5: Las Guayabas/Guavas, when
Esperanza is on the train to the United States. You have already planned and drafted this
paragraph. Today, you can revise it to make it stronger.

2. Your second paragraph will be about the key event you chose from later in the novel. You
have already planned and drafted this paragraph. Today, you can revise it to make it stronger.

3. Your third paragraph is NEW writing that you need to do ON YOUR OWN today. In this
paragraph, you should compare (discuss similarities) and contrast (discuss differences). How
does Esperanza respond to challenges differently at the end of the novel than she did in the
beginning? Be sure to cite specific evidence from the text to support your analysis.

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 5

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 18
End-of-Unit 2 Assessment
Accordion Graphic Organizer for Paragraph Writing

Topic:

Detail:

Explain:

Detail:

Explain:

Conclusion:

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 6

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.
 GRADE 5, MODULE 1: UNIT 2, LESSON 18
End-of-Unit 2 Assessment

Criteria for Success and Self-Assessment

Write three paragraphs.
Each paragraph has a clear topic sentence.
Each paragraph has at least two specific details.
Each paragraph includes an explanation of the details.
Each paragraph includes a conclusion explaining what this shows about Esperanza.
Indent the first sentence of each paragraph.
Write in complete sentences.
Explain how Esperanza changes over time.

1. Write one “star”: something you are proud of and want to “celebrate” about your essay:

2. Write one “step”: something you think you need to work on or would like to improve to become a strong
independent writer

NYS Common Core ELA Curriculum Grade 5 • Module 1 7

Copyright © 2012 by Expeditionary Learning, New York, NY. All Rights Reserved.