“…but i will never let my tongues
be replaced
changed
beaten
I have two tongues
each one
its own value
that only I can determine.”
-Angelica Mercado, “Tongues”
“Tongues,” Latina Culture, and A Beautiful Connection Between Writers
House on Mango Street
House on Mango Street Final Vignette-Writing Project
This is my last week in the middle school, which is extremely bittersweet. To finish things out with my eighth graders, I created a final project–vignette-writing! Continue reading
Esperanza Character Chart
Esperanza, the main character of House on Mango Street is a dynamic character that undergoes much change from the first vignette to the last. She is the main figure in the coming of age story, and it’s essential that students understand who she is and how she changes through the course of the story. Continue reading
You Are the Teacher for the Day
I love switching up the way I teach lessons. Last night, I had this great idea of changing how I teach the vignettes in House on Mango Street. What if I made my students and I switch roles? What if they were the teachers for the day? What would they teach me about the given vignettes? Continue reading
Themes in House on Mango Street
Themes are so important in House on Mango Street. From identity, home, and family to growing up, friendship, and culture, the book is filled with themes and it’s essential that students understand them. Thus I created a notes sheet and lesson designed to help students grasp the main ideas of each vignette. Continue reading
A Complete 6-Week Unit for House on Mango Street
Am I joking? No. This is not a joke! Here is a 6-week plan for House on Mango Street that you can easily view and download here: Complete 6 Week House on Mango Street Unit. Continue reading
Theme of Growing Up – Notes
One of the major themes in House on Mango Street is growing up. As Esperanza grows up, she starts to realize things about herself and the adult world–hence why this is called a ‘coming of age’ novel! This is essential for students to understand, so I created a notes sheet to help students begin to think about this theme in selected vignettes. Continue reading
Dear Sixth Grade Self
As my eighth graders discussed the theme of growing up in the novel House on Mango Street, I had them connect the idea to their own lives—How had they grown up? Especially in the transition from sixth to eighth grade? Continue reading
Figurative Language Challenge
What’s better to middle and high school students than a game/competition/individual challenge? (The answer is nothing). That’s why I wanted to create an extension activity and figurative language activity that would engage my eighth graders and let them have a little fun. Continue reading