Cesar Chavez : Fighting For Farmworkers by Eric Braun, ill. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2006.

The life of labor leader Cesar Chavez is told in graphic novel format. He leads many strikes and boycotts against growers in an effort to gain fair working conditions for farmworkers.

    -ISBN 0-7368-4631-X

    -Media: Pen and ink, coloring

    -Rating: 4Q/4P

    -Curricular Connections: Grades 5-8, Biography, History/Social Studies

 

Lesson Plan – Cesar Chavez

 

Grade Level: 5 - 6

 

Objectives:

Students will understand the following:

1.    Interpret and use timelines to map out Cesar Chavez’s life.

2.    Analyze causes and effects of Cesar Chavez’s actions to help farmworkers.

3.    [Optional] Experience the current conditions on an actual working farm.

 

Materials:

•    Copies of the book Cesar Chavez: Fighting For Farmworkers by Eric Braun (2006)

•    California maps

 

Procedures:

 

1.    Opener: Pass out grapes to the students in class. Tell them that at one time there was grape boycott and people all across the country refused to buy grapes.

 

2.    Discuss key vocabulary terms:

Boycott: a peaceful way of protesting by asking people not to buy a certain things

Fasting: another peaceful way to protest by not eating food for a period of time

Huelga: Spanish word for strike

Migrant farm workers: farm workers that move to different farms to find work

Pesticides: poison used to kill bugs on plants at farms

Protest: to say that you don't like something

Strike: a group of people who stop working to protest unfair conditions in their jobs

Union: an organized group of workers that tries to gain better pay and working conditions for workers

 

3.    Assign the reading of Cesar Chavez: Fighting For Farmworkers, either at home or in class.

 

4.    Have students fill-out a timeline of important events in Cesar Chavez's life. Students shouldn't focus on dates; they should focus more on getting the correct order.

 

5.    Have a large blank map of California and have students fill-in the cities and towns of San Jose, Delano, McFarland, Sacramento and a general indication of the San Joaquin Valley.

 

6.    [Optional] Take the class on a field trip to visit a working farm to see its operation and the conditions of its workers.

 

7.    Use the following questions to create an in-class discussion or written homework assignment in which the students will analyze each question.

 

Discussion Questions:

 

1. Why did the Chavez family move to California?

 

2. Why was the Mexican neighborhood in San Jose called “Sal Si Puedes”?

 

3. Whose biography did Cesar read which led him to advocate non-violent protest?

 

4. Why did Cesar Chavez fight for better wages and working conditions for farmworkers?

 

5. What action(s) did Cesar take to gain more support for his grape boycotts?

 

6. Was Cesar successful in his protest against of the use of pesticides on farms?

 

7. How has Cesar Chavez affected farmworkers today?

 

DPower 7/30/09

 

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Cesar Chavez: Fighting for Farmworkers, by Eric Braun; Harry Roland, Al Milgrom, Steve Erwin, Charles Barnett III ill.  Mankato: Capstone Press, 2006.

 

Summary: The story of how Cesar Chavez came to represent farm workers in California and fight peacefully for their rights.

 

Rating: 5Q, 4P

 

ISBN: 0736861912

 

Medium: Pen/ink

 

Curricular Connections: Great for History and English curriculum

 

Age Group: 5th-7th Grades

 

Potential Obstacles: Possible obstacles in school districts where unions are not favorably viewed 

 

E.K. 7/29/09

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Cesar Chavez : Fighting For Farmworkers by Eric Braun, ill. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0736861915

This graphic novel documents the life of Cesar Chavez as he organizes workers and fight for laborers rights.

   - Media: Pen and Ink, Color
   - Rating: 4Q/4P

   - Curricular Connections: Grades 5-7 Social Studies, History

CHA 8/2/09