By Antonio Adame, Kimberley Cobian, Alejandra Gomez, Jessica Mejia, Danielle Pinson, and Jessica Ricci
“Esperanza Rising: Student Resources.” Baltimore County Public Schools. N.p.. Web. 1 Mar 2013.
This resource can be very helpful for teachers because it has a lot of student resources. For example, since Esperanza Rising takes place in a farm, helpful growing season tips and information are included. The website also describes in detail Mexican customs that are mentioned throughout the book. Lastly, this resource is very helpful because it also has a section dedicated to the author. It includes the author’s official website, the author’s biographies, a book review, and an interview. All of these websites will allow children to feel a better connection to the book.
“Pam Muñoz Ryan Shares Writing Secrets.” Scholastic Inc., n.d. Web. 1 Mar 2013.
Pam Munoz Ryan
scholastic.com
This Scholastic website is very helpful for teachers because in it, Pam Munoz, the author of Esperanza Rising, gives insight on how to teach children how to write their own stories. She mentions that they should start off by using a KWL chart. The “K” stands for what is already known, the “W” stands for what one wants to know, and the “L” stands for what was learned. This chart is used to help break down helpful and important information for creating a book. Another helpful feature of the website it that it includes the California Standards that are covered by these lessons. This website it helpful because it allows children to discuss and write their own short story using Esperanza Rising as a resource.
”A Video Interview with Pam Munoz Ryan.” Reading Rockets. WETA Washington DC, n.d. Web. 1 Mar 2013.
This Reading Rocket website has many short clips on Pam Munoz’s past. For instance, in one clip she describes how she grew up as a child, and in another clip she talks about how she had no idea her Mexican grandma was wealthy when she lived in Mexico. The most interesting clip is called Esperanza Rising. This clip presents a thorough summary but still entices the reader to pick up the book and read it!
”Translate English and Spanish .” SpanishDict. Curiosity Media, Inc.. Web. 28 Feb 2013.
Throughout the book Esperanza and her family speak in both Spanish and English. This translator is a helpful tool that one can use throughout the book to give a further understanding of what it being said. Like most people, Esperanza uses words that are familiar to her culture and her family. This is why phrases from the Spanish language are sprinkled throughout the book. This translator allows the reader to further connect with Esperanza and her lifestyle and relate a little more with the book as well.
“Esperanza Rising: Making Mama’s Yarn Doll.” Edmond Public Schools. N.p.. Web. 3 Mar 2013.
makingfriends.com
Esperanza had become accustomed to a lavish lifestyle. For example, her father gave her a porcelain doll on her birthday each year. However, once he passed and the family was forced to leave Mexico to earn money for themselves, Esperanza no longer lived this lifestyle. Instead, Esperanza and her mother became resourceful and made dolls out of yarn. This link shows step by step directions for making yarn dolls exactly the way Esperanza and her mother would make them. All that is needed is yarn, a ruler, scissors and a book to tie the yarn around!
“Depression Era: 1930s: Repatriation for Mexican & Filipino Farm Workers.” Picture This: California Perspectives on American History. Oakland Museum of California. Web. 3 Mar 2013.
The life of the migrant workers shown in Esperanza Rising is so unfamiliar to our present day lives that is it hard to relate to. The pictures located on the Oakland Museum website show photos of Mexican and Filipino workers and the hardships they endured during the Depression. The photos show the workers in the field as well as their families in the camps. As described in the novel, families lived in various different housing structures. Esperanza and her family, for example, lived in an actual building, while those who lived at the Strike camps lived in tents. This website shows photos of different types of housing that allow one to really understand that the historical aspect of this book is accurate.
“The Quinceañera Celebration.” Learn NC Editions: The Changing Face of Mexico. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Web. 14 Mar 2013.
In the book, Esperanza mentions that she is coming to the age where she will plan her quinceañera, or her fifteenth birthday. Although it may be foreign to many readers, the quinceañera is quite an important event in the Latino community because it is a passage into womanhood for girls. This website gives the history and traditions of the quinceañera as well as explanations to some of the symbols present at the ceremonies and receptions. For those who are not familiar with the quinceañera tradition, this is a great resource to gain an understanding of these lavish parties for fifteen year old girls.
”Mexican Revolution.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 13 03 2013. Web. 15 Mar 2013.
The Mexican Revolution was a major part of the story in Esperanza Rising; however, it is not explained at great length because it occurred prior to the major events of the story. This resource explains in detail why the revolution started and what happened during the decade long war. It helps to give some background for the setting of this historical time in Mexico. It also describes the bandits that were followers of Emiliano Zapata; these are the same bandits who were responsible for the murder of Esperanza’s father in the novel. This resource can be used to paint a picture of the severity of the state Mexico was in before Esperanza’s story begins.
