Jerry Tello

"Let's Read About...Cesar Chavez" by Jerry Tello is a biography about the trials and tribulations that Cesar Chavez went through during his lifetime. Born in Arizona in 1927, Cesar Chavez went to 37 different schools before he joined his parents to work in the fields and pick crops. After serving in the Navy for several years, Cesar Chavez dedicated his life to fight for the equal pay and treatment of migrant workers in the United States. He organized strikes and with the help of his wife, formed an alliance known as the National Farm Workers Association. This biography gives a brief but accurate description of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, making it an easy read for younger grades. One way that it could be applied in the classroom is by having students get into pairs for an activity known as "The Hot Seat". First, students would pick a "Let's Read About..." biography about a famous person. Then, they would study the character and think of a few things they might say to someone who did not know anything about them. Last, students would sit in a chair across from each other and "become" the character (dress up is encouraged) by giving a small speech or biography about themselves.… (meer)

Summary:
This story is based on the story of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, except this one has a Mexican twist on it. This is a story bout a little boy named Emilio who is anxiously awaiting his cousins to arrive. As he waits his abuelo(grandpa) tells him a story(cuento) about three bears and Trencitas(little girl with long black braids). The three bears(osos) go for a walk while their beans cool down. While gone Trencitas stops by to visit Osito(little bear). Trencitas lets herself in and decides to try each of the beans finishing Ositos beans. She then decides to try all of their chairs and ends up breaking Ositos. Trencitas feels tired and wants to take a nap so she goes and tests out all of the beds and ends up asleep in Ositos bed. The bears get home and notice someone's been in their house. Osito's beans are all gone, his chair is broken, and Trencitas is still asleep in his bed. Trencitas invites the bears over to her house for dinner with her family.

Personal Reflection:
I enjoyed the spanish and english version of this book. They do a good job of illustrating the Mexican culture, family is a big part of Mexican culture. I like the way they make Papa Oso( papa bear) happy to eat his beans. As I write this paper i have a pot of beans(frijoles) cooking and homemade flour tortillas. This books shows a lot of Mexican culture such as: family, beans, tortillas, chili, dark hair, and braids. When we go visit family my kids anxiously await seeing their cousins.

Classroom Reflection:
1. Have each student bring in their favorite mexican dish, dessert, or treat.
2. Talk about the importance of culture.… (meer)