This activity is an alternative for the topic test in the section "Contemporary Voices" for English III B.
You will read a poem by Jose Antonio Rodriguez, Mr. Rodriguez's brother, and analyze the current events or social / cultural truths of life in America today present in the poem.
Then, you will write your own poem reflecting your own cultural experience.
You will read a poem by Jose Antonio Rodriguez, Mr. Rodriguez's brother, and analyze the current events or social / cultural truths of life in America today present in the poem.
Then, you will write your own poem reflecting your own cultural experience.
Task 1: The Poem
- Ask for a copy of "Piñatas Too Small for Candy" from Ms. Sanchez.
- As you read, highlight or mark 3-5 places where you notice the author commenting on...
- a current event that affects his social/cultural community,
- something that affects how he pictures / understand or feels about that community,
- or something that affects how he feels about his own place in that community.
- a current event that affects his social/cultural community,
- Write a paragraph to explain at least two of your notes.
- What does he mean when he adds those details? How does he feel? How do you know?
- What does he mean when he adds those details? How does he feel? How do you know?
Task 2: Your Contemporary Voice
- Write a poem about your cultural experience.
- You can paint a picture of a scene like in this poem, or send a more direct message.
- (Remember, a poem is whatever the author says it is. If you want to just write a paragraph explaining your culture and then call it a poem, it’s a poem. The length of the poem will depend on the form you decide to use. Just remember that a shorter poem might require more explanation.)
- You can paint a picture of a scene like in this poem, or send a more direct message.
- In a paragraph, explain at least two choices you made in the poem and how they reflect your cultural experience.
- These can be specific word choices, some creative figurative language you used, or the physical form you decided to use.
- These can be specific word choices, some creative figurative language you used, or the physical form you decided to use.