House On Mango Street Lesson Plans: Exploring Sandra Cisneros's Classic

Introduction

Sandra Cisneros's The House on Mango Street is a coming-of-age story that follows Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in a Chicago neighborhood. The novel is a series of vignettes recounting Esperanza's experiences as she navigates her family, friends, and community.

The House on Mango Street is a powerful and moving story that has resonated with readers of all ages. It is a book that explores themes of identity, family, and the search for home.

This article provides a comprehensive set of lesson plans that can be used to teach The House on Mango Street in an English language classroom.

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Novel

Objectives:

Students will be able to identify the main characters in the novel.
Students will be able to describe the setting of the novel.
Students will be able to discuss the major themes of the novel.

Materials:

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Whiteboard or projector
Markers or pens
Paper

Procedure:

Begin by introducing the author, Sandra Cisneros. Share some basic information about her life and career.
Next, discuss the title of the novel. Ask students what they think the title might mean. Write their responses on the board or projector.
Introduce the main character, Esperanza Cordero. Ask students to share what they know about her, based on the information on the cover of the book and the discussion of the title.
Read aloud the first chapter of the novel. As you read, stop to discuss any unfamiliar words or concepts. You may also want to pause to ask students questions about Esperanza's experiences.
After reading the chapter, ask students to discuss the setting of the novel. Where does the story take place? What is the neighborhood like? How does the setting affect the characters?
Finally, discuss the major themes of the novel. What is the story about? What is the author trying to say about life, family, and the search for home?

Lesson 2: Esperanza's Journey

Objectives:

Students will be able to trace Esperanza's journey throughout the novel.
Students will be able to identify the challenges Esperanza faces.
Students will be able to discuss how Esperanza changes over the course of the novel.

Materials:

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Whiteboard or projector
Markers or pens
Paper

Procedure:

Begin by reviewing the events of the first chapter of the novel. Ask students to recall what happened and what Esperanza learned.
Next, divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a different section of the novel.
Have each group read their assigned section and create a timeline of Esperanza's journey. The timeline should include the major events of the story, as well as Esperanza's thoughts and feelings about those events.
After the groups have finished creating their timelines, have them share their work with the class. As each group presents, discuss the challenges Esperanza faces and how she changes over the course of the novel.
Finally, lead a discussion about Esperanza's journey as a whole. What does she learn about herself and the world around her? How does she grow and change as a person?

Lesson 3: The House on Mango Street

Objectives:

Students will be able to analyze the symbolism of the house on Mango Street.
Students will be able to discuss how the house changes over the course of the novel.
Students will be able to write a personal narrative about a place that is special to them.

Materials:

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Whiteboard or projector
Markers or pens
Paper

Procedure:

Begin by reviewing the role of the house on Mango Street in the novel. Ask students to discuss what the house represents to Esperanza and the other characters.
Next, lead a close reading of the passages in which the house is described. Pay attention to the language Cisneros uses to describe the house. How does she make the house come alive?
After reading the passages, discuss how the house changes over the course of the novel. How does it reflect Esperanza's changing feelings about her home and her neighborhood?
Finally, have students write a personal narrative about a place that is special to them. Encourage them to use imagery and figurative language to create a vivid picture of the place in their reader's minds.

Conclusion

The House on Mango Street is a powerful and moving story that is sure to resonate with your students. These lesson plans provide a comprehensive guide for teaching the novel in an English language classroom. By engaging students in discussions, activities, and writing assignments, you can help them to understand and appreciate Cisneros's classic work.