Author: Monica Brown
Ilustrarior: Joe Cepeda
Grade Level: 3-4
Social Justice Element #4: Social Movements and Social Change
Short
Summary
The
book tells the story of Dolores Huerta, a little girl from New Mexico, and
Cesar Chavez, a little boy from Arizona who lived with their parents, immigrants
from Mexico. Dolores grew up witnessing her mother’s generosity towards other
people, especially the farmers that work hard to sustain their families. Cesar
had to leave school to be able to work as a farmer in California, where Dolores
later moved. Throughout the years, Dolores and Cesar were aware of the injustices
that institutions and the government committed against farmers. Injustices that
harmed their health and made it difficult for them to provide for their families.
Dolores and Cesar met and recognized that they shared a common vision: To fight
for the rights of farmers and their families.
Dolores
and Cesar created a movement named “La Causa,” which means the cause in English. Together with other workers, they organized
protests, marches, and gave speeches through which the growers heard them and eventually
gave farmers a better salary for their hard work. Dolores, Cesar and the
workers fought for justice for the farmers until the end of their lives. They
were brave, and they believed that any problem could be solved without the use
of violence.
Element
4: Social Movements and Social Change
This
story is an Element 4: Social Movements and Social Change because
it shares the story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, who became aware of the
injustices faced by farmers and decided to take action. The story gives the
class the opportunity to discuss about injustices that people faced in the past
and still face today. It shows how brave leaders decide to make changes for the
good of others.
This
story also serves as an example of the truth that change does not happen
through one person alone but through teamwork. To create awareness about an
issue in society, many people need to be involved and advocate for a particular
cause. That way, institutions and the government will realize that the problem is
not just affecting one person but the entire community or even the country.
Classroom
Activities
Activity
one: I
will begin with a whole class read-aloud of the book. Students with turn to their
peers and will answer the following questions: How do you think Dolores and Cesar felt when they saw the injustices
that were happening around them? What do we need to do in order to make a
change where we see injustice or oppression? After the class discussion, the
teacher will lead an activity where each student will choose a cause they want
to support or a change they want to make in society. They will create a drawing
about the project and write the first three steps they will take to accomplish
it. The teacher will make the emphasis that this cause should be realistic. It does
not have to be something big; it can be something small (ex: bringing food to
homeless, writing a letter to legislators) that will starts making a difference.
Students will have the option to work in groups or with a partner.
Activity
two: After
the read aloud, the teacher will share with students several topics of injustices
or oppression that are happening around them. The class will pick one of those
topics and brainstorm what can the whole class do about the situation. The
teacher and students will write down the first step that they will take for the
cause, and throughout the week, they will continue developing their action plan.
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