House on Mango Street Lesson Plan

Being Lonely

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

To understand and empathize with Esperanza’s emotional state after moving to Mango Street.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3 ; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4

Structure:

Esperanza compares herself to a “red balloon” when she talks about her sister and her lack of friends. The balloon symbolizes Esperanza’s feelings of loneliness and isolation. Discuss Esperanza's loneliness and other feelings about moving to Mango Street. Discussion questions might include:

- What clues, besides the “red balloon” quote, tell us that Esperanza is feeling lonely?

- What about Esperanza’s situation contributes to...