Dreamers by Yuyi Morales. 2018

 Learning About Students with Reading Autobiographies

Inspiration Books:

Dreamers by Morales, Yuyi  — Neal Porter Books, 2018. 818; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story. CCBC, NFD, NSSTB, RB

AND

Imagine by Herrera, Juan Felipe; illustrated by Castillo, Lauren 811.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. "When Juan Felipe Herrera was very young, he picked flowers, helped his mama feed the chickens, slept under the starry sky, and learned to say goodbye to his amiguitos each time his migrant family moved on. When he grew up, Juan Felipe Herrera became a poet.

Rationale: At the beginning of the year--like now--I want to get to know my students quickly, especially the middle school students. To do that quickly, I often use picture books--not unusual for me (See entry for the Wisdom of Picture Books https://www.mybooksalive.com/search?q=wisdom+books). I start with autobiographies, their autobiographies, but use sample or representative autobiographies from the new picture book arrivals. 

I actually began this approach to getting to know my students when I was teaching Children’s and Adolescent Literature at the local university. On the first day of class, often a three hour evening class of undergraduates and graduates, I asked students to write their reading autobiography and include such topics as: who read to them, what did they like to have read to them, favorite early child book and sample rhymes, when and how did they learn to read, was learning to read easy or difficult, books they remember a teacher reading aloud, what were the teachers’ reading motivational ideas, did the teacher read aloud daily at a certain time, favorite books, favorite authors, best illustrators, did they have a reading drought in high school or college and why, what adult literature do you enjoy, do you read a newspaper or the comics, do you read magazines and what kind, if you have children or baby sit do you read to them and what. 

And, then we chatted a bit to determine weather other students had the same experiences, and usually they did. Then we tabulated their favorite reading, and for the first week or two of the college course, students reread their old childhood or adolescent favorites, and we talked about what characteristics attracted them to those old favorites and whether they were still attracted by those characteristics. Our next stop was at the university’s children’s literature collection to find similar books. After the students knew their own reading patterns and habits, then we talked about evaluating books, and genres, and the more traditional approach to children’s literature. Each session, a bit of time was reserved for students to “sell” what they had read during the week.

Grades 5-8--Hey, I’m a Reader

Background: At the middle school level I ask the students the same questions through--did the teacher read aloud daily at a certain time. Sometimes, instead of writing, we simply talk about their reading experiences. After they have thought and talked about themselves, I tell them that they’ve been writing about themselves or they have been writing an autobiography, but a very specialized autobiography, a reading autobiography

Preparation: Gather as many recent picture books as possible for students to read/skim during class. Since this lesson always features newer books, I try to find autobiographies and/or biographies about the topic of the books I’ll be sharing. In this case, the representatives are Hispanic Americans, one is an artist and one is a poet. I’ve included several samples in the bibliography.

Collect as many books as possible that were important to Morales and scatter them on the work tables.

Locate a poem or two by Herrara to share with the group. Always be sure you like the poem if you’re going to share it with a group.

Gather any Herrara and/or Morales books you may have.

Decide whether you want to have a book reserve or hold system. The beginning of the year is a good time to institute that procedure.

Decide whether you want a prepared questionnaire for students to complete--in that case, decide on the questions and make copies--or whether the whole the whole lesson will be oral. I personally like the prepared questionnaire because I often ask for favorite genres, and at the university level I’d tally the favorites and organize the class beginning with the favorite. At the middle school level, I often promote a genre of the month, and the favorite genre is the first, second, etc.

Introduction: Do you think an artist might like books? How about a poet? Today we’re going to explore how two Hispanic Americans used, loved, and made books. The first is a poet, named Juan Felipe Herrara.

Read aloud: Imagine by Herrera, Juan Felipe; illustrated by Castillo, Lauren 811.6; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0. "When Juan Felipe Herrera was very young, he picked flowers, helped his mama feed the chickens, slept under the starry sky, and learned to say goodbye to his amiguitos each time his migrant family moved on. When he grew up, Juan Felipe Herrera became a poet.

(Or view Herrara reading the complete book in the video https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=15367)

Read a poem or two that Herrara wrote. (Your choice, one that resonates with you.)

Herrara went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do?

At your work spot I’ve placed a questionnaire. Maybe Herrara has awakened a bit of your memory already. There are no rights or wrongs, simply answer what you can at this point. Note the last question is “If he (Herrara) could do all of that . . . what could you do?” More than one idea is fine. (Allow 5-10 minutes depending on how long you made the questionnaire for thinking and writing. Then gather again in the area where you read picture books aloud.)

We have a second book today that is similar to Imagine in many ways. Its title is Dreamers. Listen for similarities. Read aloud:

Dreamers by Morales, Yuyi  — Neal Porter Books, 2018. 818; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.9. An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story. CCBC, NFD, NSSTB, RB

What similarities did you hear? (Some possibilities: immigrants, Mexicans, learning English, writing, books, language)

Morales and her son spent a lot of time at the library. She learned English there. I’ve scattered some of her favorite books on the tables. Look at them. Are any your favorites, too. Now add additional information to the reading survey.

You’ve probably been wondering what the method or purpose to this lesson has been. Usually I tell you in advance, but I wanted you to find out about the importance of books, reading, writing, and communicating is from a voice other than my own. I chose Herrara and Morales to be that voice and to tell their autobiographies. But I also wanted you to think about your reading and what you have done. You’ve been unconsciously writing your own reading autobiography. 

The next step is to tally some of the results. I want to know the kinds of books you like and read, the authors you like. Knowing that information will help me buy recreational reading materials. Here at the school, academic materials will come first, but I am also always on the look-out for recreational reading to promote and advocate. 

Once I know your likes, I’ll organize the monthly reading promotions around your likes and I’ll watch for new titles to add to the collection. If I remember--guess I better make notes--I’ll make sure whoever suggested the genre(s) will get first chance at the new materials.

Herrara and Morales wrote about themselves and the value and importance of reading and writing. I’ve also added some of their titles to a display. Feel free to browse and check-out. (If you have a reserve or hold system, this could be a good time to introduce the system and how it works.)

Teaching Resources

For Imagine

The Classroom Bookshelf http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/11/imagine-and-imagine/

Read Across America https://www.readacrossamerica.org/imagine/

Open Book Blog (author study of Herrera from Lee & Low) https://blog.leeandlow.com/2015/06/15/using-picture-books-to-teach-and-discuss-poet-laureate-juan-felipe-herrera-with-students/

For Dreamers

Event Kit from Holiday House http://holidayhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Dreamers-Event-Kit.pdf

Educator’s guide from Holiday House https://holidayhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Dreamers.pdf

Lesson Ideas from Ideas from Jivey to teach about Racism

https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/using-mentor-texts-dreamers/

Teaching Ideas from Library Lessons https://librarylessonswithbooks.com/dreamers-by-yuyi-morales/

Audiobook Excerpt narrated by Adriana Sananes (5:00 min.)  https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=15207

Video Book Trailer from Dreamscape Media https://www.teachingbooks.net/booktrailer.cgi?id=4592

OTHER BOOKS BY HERRARA AND MORALES:

Morales:

Viva Frida by Morales, Yuyi — Roaring Brook Press, 2014.  759.972; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 0.7. Introduces the reader to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Just a minute : a trickster tale and counting book by Morales, Yuyi — Chronicle Books, 2016. 398.2; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.2. In this tale, Senor Calavera arrives at Grandma Beetle's door, ready to take her to the next life. After helping her count in English and Spanish as she makes her birthday preparations, he changes his mind. 

Just in case : a trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book by Morales, Yuyi  — Square Fish/Roaring Brook Press, 2018 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Companion to: Just a minute. As Senor Calavera prepares for Grandma Beetle's birthday he finds an alphabetical assortment of unusual presents, but with the help of Zelmiro the Ghost, he finds the best gift of all.

Nino wrestles the world by Morales, Yuyi — Square Fish / Roaring Brook Press, 2015 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.3. Lucha Libre champion Nino has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a no-holds-barred wrestling match that will truly test his skills.

Rudas : Nino's horrendous hermanitas by Morales, Yuyi — Square Fish/Roaring Brook Press, 2018 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.6. Nino's little sisters get in on the wrestling action.

Little Night = Nochecita by Morales, Yuyi — Square Fish/Roaring Brook Press, 2016 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.8. At the end of a long day, Mother Sky helps her playful daughter, Little Night, to get ready for bed.

Herrara:

Lejos = Far by Herrera, Juan Felipe  — Candlewick Press, 2019-E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.3. A country boy leaves home to visit the far-off city and the seashore even farther away as he enjoys a vacation with his father.

Cerca = Close by Herrera, Juan Felipe  — Candlewick Press, 2019 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.4. As she walks from her kitchen through a daisy-filled yard to the house next door, a little girl notices things that are close to each other--just as the little boy she goes to visit is close to her.

Featherless by Herrera, Juan Felipe — Children's Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc., 2004 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.0. Although Tomasito's spina bifida keeps him in a wheelchair, where he often feels as confined as his flightless and featherless pet bird, he discovers that he can feel free when he is on the soccer field. 

Grandma and me at the flea = Los meros meros remateros by Herrera, Juan Felipe — Children's Books Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc., 2002 -E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 3.0.  Juanito accompanies his grandmother to a flea market in southern California where he helps her and the other vendors, and where they enjoy seeing old friends from their Mexican American community. FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com

The upside down boy by Herrera, Juan Felipe — Children's Book Press/Libros para ninos, 2000 811; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 3.0.  The author recalls the year when his farm worker parents settled down in the city so that he could go to school for the first time.

Calling the doves = El canto de las palomas by Herrera, Juan Felipe — Children's Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc., 1995 811; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 4.5. A bilingual story in English and Spanish in which the author recalls his childhood in the mountains and valleys of California with his Mexican-American migrant farmworker parents who inspired him with poetry and song.

Jabberwalking by Herrera, Juan Felipe  — Candlewick Press, 2018 808.1; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 5.4. A former United States Poet Laureate shares secrets about viewing the world from a poet's perspective, explaining how "jabberwalking" poets draw inspiration from everything they experience to express themselves in creative ways.  FREE Teaching Resources available for download at www.titlewave.com

For more books that inspired Yuyi Morales, see the “Books That Inspired me (and Still Do)” section in Dreamers.

Doctor De Soto by William Steig

Freight Train by Donald Crews

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young

A Movie In My Pillow by Jorge Argueta, illustrated by Elizabeth Gómez

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont

No, David! by David Shannon

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

What Pete Ate from A to Z by Maira Kalman

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin by Lloyd Moss, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman