1.
Mi Vida Loca
(1985) A drama illustrating the life of Mexican Americans in East Los Angeles, California. The movie depicts massive gang activity as well as the struggle faced by young Mexican Americans in an effort to mediate values and identify with their society. The movie contains some violence and cursing (in English).
2.
Mi Familia/My Family
(1994) Depicts the struggles of a Mexican American Family over three generations. Strong contrasts of values between grandparents, children, and grandchildren are observable. The movie contains some violence e.g. gang fights as well as some cursing (in english).
3.
El Norte
(1974) Depicts the struggle of a brother and sister who migrate from a small village in Guatemala to find better life up North, in Los Angeles, California.
4.
Like Water For Chocolate
(1992) Depicts strong matriarchal values and guidelines. The main characters are challenged with the struggle to reconsider beliefs, love, responsibility, and duty. Some Nudity. (Spanish/English Substitutes)
5.
Dona Hor and Her Two Husbands
(1979) A parody depicting the plight of a remarried young widow faces when her dead husband’s spirit returns demanding conjugal rights. Deals with religious moral values as well as social issues and their implications. Portuguese with English substitutes.
Lesson Plan 01—Lesson will be covered over a three day period.
Grade: 11-12
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Class: Latin American Literature
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Core: Above Average
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Topic: Customs and Values
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Section:
Part 1
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(1) Objective:
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As a result of all the classroom activities and homework associated with this lesson the students will
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a) be able to understand how values and customs in Latin America, differ from those in North American.
(2) Equipment/Materials:
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a) Black board, chalk
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b) VCR and television
(3) Instructional Activity
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(a) Teaching Procedures:
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In teaching this lesson I will take a Visual and Vocal approach. Basically making the students active participants in the lesson.
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(b) Class Activity:
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1) The students will view the movie “EL Norte”.
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2) Students will engage in a discussion focusing on the following topics: attitudes, values, and expectations of immigrants as well as the reality they face once in North America.
(4) Homework:
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Writing Assignments: Students should compare and contrast three values and three expectations that the protagonists had prior to their arrival with their post arrival experience.
Lesson Plan 02—Lesson will be covered over a three day period.
Grade: 11-12
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Class: Latin American Literature
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Core: Above Average
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Topic: Cultural and Gender Expectations
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Section:
Part 2
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(1) Objective:
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As a result of all the classroom activities and homework associated with this lesson, the students will
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a) be able to understand how culture and gender expectations affect the way of life for Mexican Americans.
2) Equipment/Materials:
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a) Black board, chalk
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b) VCR and television
(3) Instructional Activity
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(a) Teaching Procedures:
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____
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In teaching this lesson I will take both a Visual and Vocal approach. The students will become active, in the lesson.
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(b) Class Activity:
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1) The students will view the movie “Mi Vida Loca”.
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2) They will discuss male/female roles in society, physical strength vs emotional strength duty vs sacrifice, the different meaning of love for males and females, and the effect of gender differences on values.
(4) Homework:
Writing Assignment: Over the three day period, students will compile a list of similarities and differences between main stream North American Culture and Mexican American Culture. Based on class discussions, the movie, and the students compiled information they will write an essay.
Lesson Plan 03
Grade: 11-12
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Class: Latin Literature
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Core: Above Average
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Topic: Long Term Writing Assignment
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Section:
Part 3
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(1) Objective:
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As a result of the this lesson, the students will
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a) improve their comprehension, reading, writing, and translating skills based on literary exposure, classroom discussion, and prior assignments.
(2) Equipment/Materials:
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a) Black board, chalk
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b) Teacher made reading list
(3) Lesson:
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An explanation will be given on what is required for the long term writing assignment
(4) Long Term Writing Assignment
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1) The students will read a serious of poems in Spanish from the reading list and choose three for translation.
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2) The students will also chose a book from the reading list and write a three to five page report addressing the following questions:
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a) What culture expectations is the protagonist faced with?
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b) How well does the protagonist mediate between value and needs?
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c) What impact does the cultural gender expectation have on the protagonist?
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d) List the effects of religion on customs and myths.