Teacher's Guide for APPLESEEDS Cesar Chavez

1. What are the qualities of a hero?
2. What did Cesar E. Chavez do to help others?
3. Is Cesar E. Chavez an American hero? Why or why not?
4. Can you become a hero?

prejudice, migrant, nonviolence, equality, injustice, acheivement, determination, boycott

What Do We Know About Heroes?

Ask students to write and draw a description of a hero. Save this activity - it will be used later in the lesson.

View Cesar E. Chavez

Show the illustration on the cover any other photo that shows Cesar Chavez working. Ask the students if the man they see is a hero. Discuss why he may or may not be.

Discuss the word prejudice, if it has not been covered, and explain that it signifies pre-judgment. Ask the students if any pre-judgment was made about the man in the picture.

Let's Get Informed

Provide the students with the story "Young Cesar Chavez: The Early Years of an American Hero" by Rebecca Valbuena. The title suggests Cesar E. Chavez was a hero. After reading the story chart possible characteristics / qualities that made Cesar E. Chavez an extraordinary person.

Characterization

Have students name some well-known heroes and list the qualities that make each one heroic. Then ask students to look for and discuss qualities that all the heroes have in common. Discuss what they think is the most essential element of being a hero.

Character Analysis - Hot Seat

In a group activity, have one student assume the persona of Cesar E. Chavez. Have the student (in character) answer questions from others in the group, requiring the student to live in the shoes of Cesar E. Chavez.

Comparing Lives

Have students chart and compare their life with young Cesar E. Chavez' life. Ask the students what are the differences and similarities in both. Focus on the similarities.

Cesar E. Chavez faced the California grape growers. In the story "Huelga! The Great Strike," by Karen E. Hong, Chavez and others set out to improve the lives of migrant farm workers everywhere.

Have the students read "Huelga! The Great Strike" and discuss how Chavez helped farm workers. Discuss what injustices farm workers encountered and how Cesar E. Chavez, working with others, improved their conditions and treatment.

The Power of Working Together

Divide the class into groups and have the students come up with one issue of concern pertaining to their school or community life.

Have the students brainstorm peaceful (nonviolent) solutions to their issue. Discuss the term non-violence. Students should try and have more than one solution or one right answer.

Record the issue and discuss an action plan with the students. If possible, follow through with the action plan.

Write a Newspaper Article

Have students write a newspaper article about the achievements of Cesar E. Chavez. Topics may include Chavez' childhood, the life of migrant farm workers, the story of the grape boycott, Cesar E. Chavez' acheivements, why there should there be a Cesar E. Chavez holiday, etc.

Other Activitst

Dolores Huerta and Cesar E. Chavez are known to be some of California's strongest activists. Have students read about Dolores Huerta and discuss the common traits both had and what made them activists.

Reflection

Have students refer to their description of a hero at the beginning of the topic and circle all the character traits they feel Cesar E. Chavez had. Ask the students if Chavez was an American hero. Why or why not?

Who Will Be a Hero?

Ask the students if they think they can become a hero. Invite students to write a paragraph about how they are or can be like Cesar E. Chavez. Encourage them to speculate what deeds they will do to become a hero.

Person of the Year

Have students imagine they are on the front cover of the Time. Have the students illustrate themselves as heroes and state their heroic deeds on the cover.

"The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword" by Edward Bulwer Lytton

Have students read some quotes written and spoken by Cesar E. Chavez. Have the students select one or more of quotes and react to it in writing or by drawing their interpretation.

Such quotes may include

• ¡Si se puede! ("It can be done!" or "Yes we can!")
• It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life.
• There's no turning back. We will win. We are winning because ours is a revolution of mind and heart.
• We must understand that the highest form of freedom carries with it the greatest measure of discipline.
• Nonviolence is hard work. It is willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win.
• It starts with your heart and radiates out.
• In the end we will overcome.
• We can choose to use our lives for others to bring about a better and more just world for our children.

Time Line

Have students make a time line with the major events in Chavez' life.

Farm Workers Budget

Students research the pay of a farm worker, living expenses, clothing shelter, and food expenses.

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Updated: 11/21/09 06:11 am
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