Unit 2:  Making Science/Literature Connections: El Guero

Lesson 1- Introduction to El Guero by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

Aims-

1- To enable students to appreciate the connection between multicultural literature and art.
2- To ensure students will respect each other while working cooperatively in small group situations.
3- To summarize events in literature.
 

Grade Level- 5th grade

Estimated Time- 3 periods

Setting- Classroom

Interdisciplinary Areas- Literature/Art

Materials-

Novel- El Guero by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino Sunburst Books, 1989

Internet

Apple Works
 

Motivation:

    1.  Place this story map on  chalkboard-

    Title:  El Guero

    Author- Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

    Genre- Non-fiction

    Setting- Mexico , 1876.

    Characters- El Guero
                    Judge Trevino
                    Mamacita
                    Maruca
                    Tia Vicky

Problem- How will the family arrive safely in Ensenada in Baja, California?

Events-
          1- General Diaz transfers Judge Trevino to a court in Baja California.
          2- The entire Trevino family must leave their home in Mexico and travel to this new location.
          3- The family meets bandidos on the road.

Predicted Outcome-- The family will have many mishaps, but they will finally arrive at Ensenada.

    2.  Direct students to look at the illustrations on the cover and the illustrations inside the novel.
        a. By looking at the plant life on the cover, what can you tell about the climate and location of the setting of this novel?
        b. By looking at the cover, describe the main character, El Guero.
        c. Why do you think the illustration within the book are in black and white?
    3.  Analyze the prologue and historical note.
       a. Who was the dictator of Mexico in1876?
       b. Why was traveling difficult during this time period?
       c. Why did the Trevino family have to move to Baja California?
    4.  Review map of Mexico from the year 1876 located at the beginning of the novel.
    5.  Have students predict events and outcomes.

PROCEDURE:
    1.  In cooperative learning groups students will read chapters 1-3.
    2.  Reader and recorder will answer focus questions on story maps.
        a.  What is the genre?
        b.  What is the setting?
        c.  Who are the main characters?
        d.  What is the problem?
    3.  On character web, writers will analyze two characters.
 

    4.  On sequence chart, writers will place events of chapter in sequential order.
 

    5.  Reader and recorder will fill-in predicted outcomes.
    6.  Researchers will find further information about the true adventure story El Guero using the following web site which gives a book review of the novel:
    http://slcpl.lib.ut.us/jreading/mculture/Hispanic.html
    Click on link to Elizabeth Borton de Trevino. Click on El Guero: A True Adventure.
    7.  Presenters will share gathered information.

EVALUATION:
    1.  Students will be evaluated on:
        a.  the research skills used in obtaining information about El Guero.
        b.  analysis of story map, webs, and charts.
        c.  presentation of information to class.

Click here to see Lesson 2.