Blogger Graphics
¡Quiero Ayudar! Let Me Help!
By: Alma Flor Ada
Illustrator: Angela Domínguez
Publisher: Children’s Book Press
Copyright: 2010
Genre: Fiction Multicultural Holidays Foreign Language
Grade Level: 1st- 3rd grade
or secondary Spanish classes
Brief Synopsis: A family parrot named Perico is trying to find some way to help with the planning of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Every time Perico tried to help someone he is shooed away. At last in the end he finds the perfect way to help in the Cinco de Mayo fun in San Antonio, Texas.
About the Author:
Alma Flor Ada- She is an award winning children’s book author, gifted translator, and professor at the University of San Fransisco. She is an avid leader in the field of bilingual education in the U.S. She is also a poet, storyteller, educator, mother, and grandmother. With a Ph.D. in literature and a lifelong love for stories, Ada has mastered the art of retelling traditional folktales and nursery rhymes from across Latin America. A native of Cuba who has also lived in Spain, Peru, and the United States, Ada writes poetry, picture books, and novels that offer rich, multicultural perspectives for all children.
Angela Dominguez- Born in Mexico City and grew up in Texas. She always loved to read and draw as a kid. Let Me Help is her first children’s picture book. In December of 2007, she graduated from the Academy of Art in San Francisco with her MFA in illustration. Since graduating she has worked with a variety of publishing companies including Feiwel and Friends, Children’s Book Press, Abrams Books, Random House/Tricycle Press, and Holiday House.Themes: Persistence will pay off in the end
No matter what age or size there is always a purpose for everyone
Learning about Cinco de Mayo
Not fitting in or finding one’s place
Pre-Reading Activities:
-Introducing a culture’s holiday. Topic: Cinco de Mayo. Teach a mini lesson on Cinco de Mayo to the whole class. What does it mean (translation)? Why do they celebrate it? Who celebrates this holiday? After the mini lesson have students answer questions about the holiday after reading a quick excerpt about it. This will help check for the student’s understanding.
-Mini lesson on interpretation. Model how to interpret a piece of literature with the students during a read aloud. What is the author trying to get across to the readers? Have the students do a turn and talk with a partner with a sample reading.
Post Reading Activities:
-Have students plan their own Cinco de Mayo celebration for the class. It must stay authentic to true Spanish culture , traditions, and food. They will be graded on their portion of the material presented to the rest of the class. This includes food ideas, music ideas, etc.)
Blogger Graphics
-Have students write the parrots adventure in a sequence. What did he do first, second, third, fourth? After practicing with the story’s sequence they will write their own sequence of what they did that day. They will illustrate their steps once their writing has been checked. Reiterate that they should be using transition words like First, then, next, lastly, etc.
-Relate to the characters in the story. Have students write of a time they were trying to be helpful to someone, and no one wanted them around. How did their story end? Was it the same as Perico’s ending? The students will do a read aloud of their story for extra practice. This story can be written in their personal journal.
-If it is a secondary Spanish class have them translate the story into English and then check their translation with the English they give in the book. This can lead into them writing their own children’s book in Spanish.
Reflection:
This story is a great choice to use for ESL Spanish speaking students because they will be able to see the Spanish right next to the English. It is a wonderful introduction book when teaching about different cultures. If this was used to teach about Spanish culture it would have to be paired with authentic teaching and experiences, so as not to just touch on the holiday of the countries. Putting the character as a pet parrot to a Spanish family puts the view from the outside looking in. This allows students to see the culture from the outside, but doesn’t actually include them in it.
Links:
Alma Flor Ada Bio
Angela Dominguez Bio
This sounds like a wonderful book and a great way to bring up discussion about the holiday, Cinco De Mayo. I think that it is important to teach children about important holidays celebrated around the world and the holiday's significance to the people who celebrate. Not to mention that children will enjoy the celebrations and coming up with their own ideas on ways to celebrate.
ReplyDelete