Esperanza
Rising Project Ideas
1. Try making one of these foods from the novel, with a 1 page written
reflection describing the recipe and its importance in the novel:
- coconut, lime, and papaya salad
- flour tortillas and salsa
- pepinos (sliced cucumbers with lemon juice sprinkled with chile powder and
salt)
2. Create
a yarn doll or crochet a blanket
with a 1 page written
reflection describing your process of making it and its importance in the novel.
3. Esperanza
Rising play or movie:
Must include a printed script, below is a break-down of the major scenes:
- Scene 1: Esperanza's
excitement for her birthday celebration is dashed when she learns of her
father's death.
- Scene 2: Esperanza and family travel on a train from Mexico to
California
-Scene 3: Esperanza's efforts at sweeping bring her public humiliation
and earn her the nickname, "Cenicienta" (Cinderella).
- Scene 4: A dust storm
threatens the well being of Esperanza's family and leaves
her mother sick with Valley Fever.
- Scene 5: The
strikers intimidate the farm workers but are soon swept out by La Migra.
- Scene 6: Esperanza discovers that Miguel has run off with her
hard-earned money. Miguel eventually returns with Abuelita, restoring Esperanza's hopes for the future.
4. Write
an I AM poem about Esperanza Rising http://home.jps.net/~gailhd/crossing/esperanza/poemformat.htm using the following as a guideline:
First Stanza
Information and thoughts about
Esperanza's life in Mexico
Information and thoughts about Esperanza's family
Information and thoughts about the Mexican Revolution
Second Stanza
Information and
thoughts about Esperanza's life in the migrant camp
Information and thoughts about the Great Depression
Information and thoughts about her life as a Mexican farm laborer
Third Stanza
Esperanza's
personal setbacks
Her growth as a character
Her sources of strength and encouragement
5. Write an
Esperanza Rising part II, continuing her
life 20 years later. 2 pages types.
6. Draw and reflect
on the main characters: Create a
character illustration poster including at least 5 main characters, including 1
paragraph per character and drawings of each character.
7. Setting
comparison: Create a poster (or
3d sculpture) with a drawing of Rancho de Las Rosas, Aguascalientes and a
drawing of Esperanza’s home in the migrant labor camps. Include 1 paragraph to
go with each drawing.
8. Problem/ Solution
rose thorns: Draw or create a
large rose with 8 thorns. Identify one problem on each thorn, and describe the
solution to that problem. Be descriptive.
9. Create your own
project idea: Be creative and
come up with your own idea!
