House On Mango Street Introduction Lesson Plans

Essential Aspects of House on Mango Street Introduction Lesson Plans

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is a powerful and evocative novel that tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in a poor neighborhood. The novel has been praised for its lyrical prose, its insightful portrayal of a child's perspective, and its exploration of issues such as poverty, racism, and sexism.

When planning a lesson on The House on Mango Street, there are several essential aspects to consider: pre-reading activities, vocabulary instruction, discussion questions, and writing prompts.

Pre-Reading Activities

Before students begin reading The House on Mango Street, it is important to activate their prior knowledge and engage them with the novel's themes. Some possible pre-reading activities include:

Discussing the concept of home, both in its literal and figurative sense.
Brainstorming a list of images and experiences that come to mind when they think about home.
Reading aloud an excerpt from the novel, such as the opening paragraph.

Vocabulary Instruction

The House on Mango Street contains a number of challenging vocabulary words. Before students can fully engage with the novel, it is important to teach them the meaning of these words. Some possible vocabulary instruction strategies include:

Providing a list of vocabulary words and their definitions.
Using context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Playing games such as charades or Pictionary to reinforce vocabulary.

Discussion Questions

The House on Mango Street provides a rich opportunity for classroom discussion. Some possible discussion questions include:

What is the significance of the house on Mango Street?
How does Esperanza's view of home change over the course of the novel?
What are the challenges that Esperanza faces as a young Latina girl?
How does the novel explore issues such as poverty, racism, and sexism?

Writing Prompts

The House on Mango Street can inspire a variety of writing assignments. Some possible writing prompts include:

Write a personal essay about your own experiences with home.
Write a letter to Esperanza from the perspective of another character in the novel.
Write a short story that explores one of the themes of the novel, such as poverty or racism.

By incorporating these essential aspects into your lesson plan, you can help your students to fully appreciate the literary and thematic richness of The House on Mango Street.