Yolanda U. Trapp
SUBJECT AREA: LANGUAGE ARTS—SOCIAL STUDIES
TITLE:
CONTEMPORARY LATIN AMERICAN
WRITERS AND POETS OF THE XXTH CENTURY
I. OVERVIEW AND APPROACH
Time Frame
This is a 4-5 week lesson designed to introduce students of 3rd and 4th grades to Latin American writers and poets of the XXth Century, with emphasis on historical and economic significance, artistic and vocabulary building.
Approaches to the lesson will be by a) “Displays of the books of different contemporary Latin American Writers and poets of the XXth Century.”; b) Reading aloud the title and name of the author (see teaching plan).
II. OBJECTIVE
At the end of the unit the students will be able to reflect on what they have learned about some of the contemporary Latin American writers and poets chosen.
Strategies
Part One:
Initial Reactions
The students will read brief passages from contemporary Latin Americans writers and poets. This anticipatory lesson should arouse students curiosity and raise specific questions in their minds. At the end of the unit they will be able to compare their first reaction with later impressions.
Part Two:
Historical Backgrounds
-
a) Students will examine passages and illustrations from the Latin American History and Geography. Through discussions they will draw conclusions concerning the reasons for the nature of some of the stories presented for the lesson.
-
b) The teacher will present basic outline of Latin American History from the colonial period to the present day while stimulating discussion on points of comparison with the United States History.
Part Three:
Contemporary Latin American Society
-
a) After examining simple statistical charts and viewing films, (see students and teacher resources) the students will draw conclusions as to the contrasts of poverty and wealth, of modernity and traditionalism, which are evident in many Latin American societies.
-
b) The students will explore examples of the various uses of the fantastic, (ex.
No One Writes to the Colonel and Other Stories
, by Gabriel Garc’a Márquez). And magical beliefs and practices by viewing anthropological films and reading field studies of various Latin American cultures.
Part Four:
Selected Short Stories and Poems
-
a) After reading the short story and a poem the students should be able to interpret it in light of the material already covered.
-
b) Tapes, films and students role playing will be presented as questions raise for general discussions. The teacher should give some biographical and interesting backgrounds of each writer.
Part Five:
Conclusions
-
a) Students will discuss similarities and differences about each writer chosen for the unit.
-
b) Upon completion of this lesson the student will discuss the concepts of “fantastic” “Magical beliefs” and make comments and opinions of the contemporary Latin American writers.
Activities:
Language Arts:
-
1. The teacher divides the students into small groups, giving each photocopies of a brief passage from a short novel, story or poem. The members of each group read their passage, discuss it among themselves and prepare 6 sentences to present on the following day (Pauker Strategies).
-
2. The members of each group will describe their passage to the class, giving time for reactions and questions. After all the groups have reported, the teacher raises questions for general discussions.
-
3. (In English and Spanish-see Basic Goals)
ESL
Copy the poem onto chart paper (selected by the teacher). Suggestions: Author, Pablo Neruda. “Poem XV” “I like for you to be still” from
Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair
or Poem XX, “Tonight I Can Write”. (Pinguin: USA Twentieth Century Classics 1993). Read and discuss. Check the students comprehension by completing the sheet (see next page.)
Name______________________________________Date________________