Focus: In this first unit of Core Knowledge’s Language Arts program, students study contemporary fiction through the novel, They Call Me Güero, which is written in various forms of poetry. Through They Call Me Güero: A Border Kids Poems, students explore the many aspects of the living on the border between two countries. They look at the cultural richness inherent in being part of two cultures, and the difficulties of having family on either side of a protected border. Students review the writing process, and engage in an extended writing project. This unit includes a Beginning of Year Assessment. Note: Schools will need to purchase They Call Me Güero: A Border Kids Poems, by David Bowles, Cinco Puntos Press, ISBN 978-1-947627-07-09 (paper).
Number of Lessons: 15
Lesson Time: 90 minutes each. Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.
Additional Search Terms: checkpoint • heritage • informational essay • narrative fiction • dialogue • writing strong verbs • draft • revision
