The House on Mango Street Introduction

The House on Mango Street Introduction

Give students a set of questions over the author Sandra Cisneros to answer. The students will work in groups and use the computers and internet to answer such questions. The students will utilize word processing program to produce final product to turn in.

When students have answered questions hold a class discussion over the style of “The House on Mango Street.” Give students the definition of vignettes and explain that vignettes are like pictures, they capture one moment in time and explain just a piece of history. In essence they are small time capsules. In order for students to grasp vignettes students will complete the following activity in groups.

1. One digital camera will be distributed into each group.
2. Each group member will have a picture taken of them or will take a picture themselves to use. Each picture must be different for every group member.
3. The picture will then be printed for each student to use in their writing assignment.
4. Once the picture has been printed each student will individually write their own vignette, one to four pages, explaining that moment in time that the picture captured.
5. Finally each student will title their picture/vignette.
6. During the course of reading The House on Mango Street students will bring in or take five more photographs and write a vignette about each photograph.
7. These six vignettes will then be bound into a book for each student.

This project will accomplish the following objectives:
1. Students will be introduced to the novel and the author’s writing style
2. Students will utilize many different technology equipment and programs (the digital cameras, word processing.)
3. Students will develop an understanding of vignettes
4. Students will develop an understanding of the connection between writing and art
5. Students will develop writing skills, self-expression skills and learn to effectively work in groups