Esperanza Rising Lesson Plan

What does Mama’s illness mean to Esperanza, Alfonso, and the others? Think about what it means to her emotionally as well as to the group on a day-to-day basis.

Esperanza is an emotional wreck over Mama’s illness. Students should be able to point to several examples in these chapters where Esperanza worries about Mama and what will happen to her, including while working on Abuelita’s blanket, while visiting in the hospital, and when talking about Christmas. However, students should also consider the strain Mama’s absence places on the group. They should note that the group now has one less income and when Esperanza wants to work to save her own money, they must pass the care of...