Download Cool Ideas for House on Mango Street

Name:_________________________
Period:_________
The House on Mango Street
Project Choices
Date:_____________
Ms. Newton
We will spend one week working on your projects at the end of our unit on “The House
on Mango Street.” You should finish all the work during class time. If not, you must
work on it at home or at your local public library after school. Read the descriptions of
each project below and choose one. You may work alone or with one partner. Each
project is worth 100 points. Make sure you turn in the completed cover sheet with your
project.
1. Create a House on Mango Street picture book with photographs, Google
Sketchups, and/or drawings of images created by Cisneros in the book ( For example,
Mamacita getting out of the taxi, Esperanza dancing with her uncle, etc). If you use any
pictures of real people, make sure you have permission from the people in them.
 Be sure to include the quote that describes the picture beneath each one (20)
 You must have at least one picture per chapter (20)
 The book must have a cover with relevant artwork and a title on the front (20)
 On the back, you must have a list of citations; where you got each picture (20)
 Then, write a paragraph (typed or written neatly in blue or black ink), about your
opinion of this assignment; what did you think about it and why? (20)
2. Use Google Earth to virtually visit all the places mentioned in the book. In a five
paragraph essay (typed or written neatly in blue or black ink), describe:
 Where you went (10)
 How you got to each place (10)
 What each place was like (30)
 What you thought of the experience (25), and finally
 Whether or not it helped your understanding of The House on Mango Street (25)
3. Use Google Sketchup to create a model of Esperanza’s house and other houses that she
describes in The House on Mango Street.
Alternatively, you can draw, in detail, the houses from different angles.
 Print off a picture of each house (or turn in your drawings) (50)
 Attach a written (neat, blue or black ink) or typed document listing the exact
quotes from the book that describe each house (50).
4. Explore the Culture of Mexico. Write a report (typed or
written neatly in blue or black ink), on:
 Two famous Mexican writers. (25) One page each.
 In two to three pages, describe details about the Mexican people’s customs,
courtesies, and lifestyles. Include a recipe. (25) Write an additional paragraph
about how your investigation either changed or reinforced your understanding of
Esperanza and the other characters in The House on Mango Street (25)
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5. Create an imaginary MySpace or Facebook page on a poster for Esperanza.
 Include a list of her friends, her personal and family information (don’t forget to
include her future plans), an autobiographical paragraph, a profile picture, a
picture album, and a profile song (50)
 Write a three paragraph essay explaining where each choice came from in The
House on Mango Street. Be sure to use exact quotes in your essay. The essay
must be typed or written neatly in blue or black ink (50)
6. Create a CD Soundtrack for The House on Mango Street. Include:
 You must have at least one song per chapter (10)
 Lyrics for each song - they may be in English as well as in other languages.
However, you must supply a translation if they are not in English. (20)
 The front cover must feature artwork and a title relevant to the novel (10)
 A list of songs with who wrote and performed each one on the back cover (10)
 Write a couple of sentences (typed or neatly written in blue or black ink) about
each song and what it had to do with the chapter. Include quotes from the book as
evidence (50)
7. Write a five paragraph persuasive essay explaining your opinion on undocumented
Immigrants in the United States.
 Turn in a rough draft with at least two revisions per paragraph (25)
 Turn in a final draft –typed or written neatly in blue or black ink (50)
 Be sure to use at least three sources. These sources must include one newspaper
article, one website, and one book from the library. Use what you read in The
House on Mango Street as well as your own personal experiences as sources. Do
not be afraid to ask your parents for help! Make sure you have a reference page at
the end citing your three (or more) sources. (25)
8. Esperanza gives us many examples of domestic abuse in The House on Mango Street.
Write a five paragraph research paper about domestic abuse to answer the following
Questions: What is the definition of domestic abuse? What are the statistics
concerning Domestic abuse in New York City? What do experts say is the psychology
behind it? Where and how can someone get help in New York if they are being abused at
home?
 Turn in a rough draft with at least two revisions per paragraph (25)
 Turn in a final draft –typed or written neatly in blue or black ink (50)
 Be sure to use at least three sources. These sources must include one newspaper
article, one website, and one book from the library. Use what you read in The
House on Mango Street as well as your own personal experiences as sources.
You may also interview people and use the interview as a source. Do not be
afraid to ask your parents for help! Make sure you have a reference page at the
end citing your three (or more) sources. (25)
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Name:_________________________
Period:_________
Date:_____________
The House on Mango Street
Project Cover Sheet
Attach this sheet to the front of your finished project
My Project Choice is: _____________________________________________________
My partner is: ___________________________________________________________
My signature: __________________________________________ Date: ___________
Ms. Newton’s signature:_________________________________ Date:___________
Parent/Guardian signature: _______________________________ Date:___________
This project is due: _______________________________________________________
Project Final Score: ___________/100
Ms. Newton’s comments about my project:
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