4th Grade
Project
3 weeks
"Mango Street Dreams & Aspirations Quest"
1-pager
Purpose
Students will explore how the setting of 'The House on Mango Street' shapes the characters' identities and dreams through a series of interactive activities. They will engage in role-playing exercises, create visual storyboards, and participate in group discussions to analyze the impact of the neighborhood on the characters' lives. By the end of the project, students will collaboratively create a multimedia presentation that showcases their understanding of the connection between environment and personal growth, drawing parallels to their own communities.
Learning goals
Students will explore how the setting of 'The House on Mango Street' shapes the characters' identities and dreams through creative storytelling and role-playing activities. They will identify and describe key elements of the setting, such as the neighborhood and community, and analyze their impact on the characters' choices and feelings. Students will collaborate in groups to create visual and written presentations that depict how the setting influences the characters' lives, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural and environmental influences on identity.
Standards
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3: Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Products
Students will create a neighborhood map that reflects the setting of 'The House on Mango Street,' highlighting key locations and their significance to the characters. They will write character journals from the perspective of different characters, exploring how the setting influences their identities and dreams. Additionally, students will collaborate to present a multimedia project, such as a video or digital story, that illustrates the impact of the neighborhood on the characters' lives and aspirations.
Launch
Begin the project with a neighborhood walk where students observe and document the characteristics of their own community. Encourage them to take notes, draw sketches, or take photos of places and people that stand out to them. After the walk, facilitate a discussion where students share their observations and connect these to the setting in "The House on Mango Street." This activity will help students understand the importance of setting in shaping identity and aspirations, setting the stage for deeper exploration of the book's themes.
Exhibition
Students will create a "Mango Street Neighborhood Map" that visually represents the setting and its impact on the characters. Each student will select a character from the book and illustrate how the environment shapes their identity and dreams through drawings, symbols, and short written reflections. The maps will be displayed in a classroom gallery, where students will present their work to peers and invited guests, explaining their interpretations and insights. This exhibition will encourage dialogue and deepen understanding of the text's themes.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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| Activities |
Introduction to 'The House on Mango Street' - Read selected excerpts from the book to introduce students to the themes and setting, focusing on character identity and aspirations (20 min)
Mango Street Mural Brainstorm - Collaboratively brainstorm ideas for the mural, encouraging students to identify themes and elements from their own neighborhoods to include (26 min)
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Mural Sketching Session - Begin sketching individual ideas for the mural, allowing students to express how they envision the themes of 'The House on Mango Street' through art (25 min)
Explore Community Influences - Discuss and explore cultural influences present in the book, prompting students to reflect on their own community's impact on identity (21 min)
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Art and Storytelling Workshop - Partner with a local cultural center to engage students in art and storytelling activities that explore the cultural influences of 'The House on Mango Street' (46 min)
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Neighborhood Mapping Activity - Begin a mapping project where students outline Esperanza's neighborhood and compare it to their own, focusing on visual arts and written descriptions (46 min)
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Reflective Storytelling Session - Develop a session where students share personal stories influenced by their community, drawing parallels to Esperanza's experiences (23 min)
Mural Creation - Start creating the collaborative Mango Street Mural, incorporating elements from both the book and students' neighborhoods (23 min)
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| Deliverables |
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| Preparation | |||||
| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Sketch and Plan Mural Elements - Refine individual sketches for the mural, integrating ideas from the character exploration (26 min)
Character Exploration and Analysis - Discuss Esperanza's character development, focusing on how her neighborhood influences her identity and aspirations (20 min)
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Cultural Influence Discussion - Explore the cultural influences on Esperanza's neighborhood and compare them to students' own communities (25 min)
Mural Group Collaboration - Begin collaborative work on the mural, incorporating cultural elements discussed (21 min)
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Community Mapping Project - Continue the mapping project, emphasizing detailed visual representation and description of community landmarks (46 min)
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Storytelling and Art Integration - Combine personal stories with visual art pieces, drawing connections to 'The House on Mango Street' (46 min)
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Mural Finishing Touches - Complete the collaborative Mango Street Mural, ensuring all elements from the brainstorming sessions are included (23 min)
Reflective Journal Session - Write personal reflections on how the mural and mapping projects deepened understanding of community influence on identity (23 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed visual map comparing 'The House on Mango Street' neighborhood to the students' own community.
2. Written reflections connecting personal stories and experiences to the themes and characters in the book. |
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| Preparation |
1. Arrange transportation and coordination with the local cultural center for the workshop.
2. Gather materials for map-making, including large paper, markers, and colored pencils. 3. Provide copies or excerpts of 'The House on Mango Street' for reference during the mapping activity. 4. Prepare prompts and guidelines for the reflective storytelling session to facilitate meaningful sharing. 5. Ensure any necessary permissions or safety measures are in place for offsite activities. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Neighborhood Map Finalization - Complete the detailed map comparing Esperanza's neighborhood with students' own, focusing on visual arts and written descriptions (23 min)
Mural Reflection Discussion - Reflect on the completed collaborative mural, discussing the themes and neighborhood influences depicted (23 min)
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Gallery Setup - Prepare student visual arts projects for the 'Community Canvas Exhibition,' organizing and labeling artworks for display (46 min)
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Guided Tour Practice - Students rehearse guided tours for the exhibition, practicing how to explain artistic interpretations and reflections on neighborhood comparisons (46 min)
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Exhibition Day - Host the 'Community Canvas Exhibition,' where students lead guided tours, presenting their artwork and reflections to community members (46 min)
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Final Reflection Session - Write personal reflections on the entire project experience, focusing on insights gained about cultural influences and identity shaping (23 min)
Project Celebration - Celebrate the completion of the project with students sharing highlights and personal growth throughout the process (23 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Completed individual neighborhood maps with visual arts and written components.
2. Written reflections that draw connections between the setting of 'The House on Mango Street' and students' own neighborhoods. 3. Participation in the 'Community Canvas Exhibition' as a guide, presenting and explaining their work to community members. |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather art supplies (e.g., paper, markers, colored pencils, paints) for finalizing neighborhood maps.
2. Set up a space for the reflective storytelling session, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive environment. 3. Coordinate with the local cultural center to finalize details for the 'Community Canvas Exhibition'. 4. Prepare the exhibition space, including setting up display panels for artwork and arranging seating for guests. 5. Print and organize students' written reflections for display alongside their visual art projects. |
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