The Emergence of the Chicano in the American Struggle for Civil Rights

Unit Goal Beginning with the Sleepy Lagoon trial as depicted through Luis Valdez’s play Zoot Suit and Rudolfo “Corky” Gonzalez’s poem “I am Joaquin,” students will examine the inter- and intra- cultural conflicts which result as Mexican Americans assert and negotiate identity as common yet distinct from both Mexican nationals and European Americans.

OBJECTIVE After analyzing SYMBOLISM of the “Pachuco” in Luis Valdez’s play Zoot Suit students will be able to identify themes about identity conveyed by internal and external conflicts of the play’s plot.

After you conduct your research, use circle map info to prepare to write a background paragraph. TOPIC or SUBJECT As you watch video, fill in circle map with important information about author’s background. Use the following paragraph frame: _______can be described as ______. He was born ________ and spent most of his life________. While ________, he became interested in ________. Additionally, ________________. His writing attempts to ______________ by _______________.

Historical Context After completing CORNELL NOTES on video, “Zoot Suit Riots” students will be able to write a summary that identifies significant historical contexts and issues that inspired Luis Valdez’s play Zoot Suit.

THINK & WRITE Describe what you see. PAI R Discuss what ideas the images convey or communicate about the topic. SHARE What is the central claim illustrated by the image? What specific details reveal this claim?

Summary Template to identify main idea and key details of “The Zoot Suit Riots”

THINK & WRITE Describe what you see. PAI R Discuss what ideas the images convey or communicate about the topic. SHARE The central claim illustrated/depicted by patinting_________ is that________. Specific details that reveal this claim include_______________, ______, and ____ which represent the idea that ____________.

Use objective to create essential question(s) Use background knowledge to predict plot of the play. According to the introduction, who is the “PACHUCO” and what does he represent?

OBJECTIVE CHECK IN Give one Get One: After analyzing SYMBOLISM of the “Pachuco” in Luis Valdez’s play Zoot Suit students will be able to summarize the play’s plot and identify themes about identity conveyed by characterization and conflicts.

Popcorn Review for ACT I: 1.What is the setting/s of the play? 2.Who is the protagonist and what are his character traits? 3.What is the purpose of “El Pachuco” in the play? 4.Describe an example of an internal conflict in the story. 5.Describe the conflict between the protagonist and his parents. 6.What is the root of the conflict between the “zoot suiters”? 7.Describe the conflict between the protagonist and the police.

Popcorn Review for ACT II: 1.Describe the setting in ACT II. 2.How has Henry changed in ACT II? What has caused these changes? 3.Who is the most important subordinate character to emerge in ACT II? What makes them so important to the protagonist? 4.What motivates Henry in ACT II? 5.How does El Pachuco change in ACT II? 6.Describe the resolution(s) of the play.

Give One Get One 1. Use the OBJECTIVE to write your question. Answer your question. 2. Collect three ideas from peers write them down. 3. After every conversation, have your peer sign their name. 4. At the end of the activity, give props to peers’ ideas! Question: My ideas: My peers ideas:

Gallery Walk 1.Read excerpts from the play. 2.Identify Act that the excerpt comes from by adding it to appropriate Analysis Map. 3.Explain what the quote reveals about larger theme(s): identity.

Summary Template to identify main idea and key events in the play’s plot.

Character Analysis