Talking with Mother Earth - El Salvador

Talking with Mother Earth
Jorge Argueta
Illustrated by Lucia Angela Perez
2006 Groundwood Books
Toronto, Ontario

Talking with Mother Earth is a book of poetry based on the authors experiences growing up as a native in rural El Salvador. The poems reflect the struggles of being an Indian and dealing with teasing from schoolmates about his family's background. Argueta also shows a strong connection to his native culture and the important relationship he has developed with the natural world through spending times with his grandmother. His poems tell a story that brings up important social issues through beautiful language and imagery. The poems are printed in both English and Spanish.

"Poetry About place"

Standards:
English Language Arts
2-1 The student will read and comprehend a variety of literary texts in print and non-print formats.
2-1.1 Analyze the details that support the expression of the main idea in a given literary text.
2-1.4 Find examples of devices of figurative language (including simile) and sound devices (including onomatopoeia and alliteration).
2-1.6 Explain the effect of the author’s craft (for example, word choice and the use of repetition) on the meaning of a given literary text.
2-1.7 Create responses to literary texts through a variety of methods (for example, writing, creative dramatics, and the visual and performing arts).
2-1.8 Classify works of fiction (including fables, tall tales, and folktales) and works of nonfiction (including biographies) by characteristics.
2-5 The student will write for a variety of purposes and audiences.
2-5.3 Create written pieces that describe objects, people, places, or events and that use words that appeal to the senses.
2-5.4 Create written pieces (for example, rhymes, poems, and songs) to entertain others.
Social Studies
2-2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the local community and the way it compares with other communities in the world.
2-2.2 Recognize characteristics of the local region, including its geographic features and natural resources.
2-2.5 Compare the history and features of the local community with those of different communities around the world.

Objective: The student will write a poem about surroundings that have a special meaning.

Materials: Paper, writing materials

Procedures: The teacher will reread one or two poems from Talking with Mother Earth which the class has already read. The teacher will ask the students to talk about the things that Argueta describes in the poems. The teacher can further the discussion by asking some of the following questions: how does the author use nature in the poems? what kind of places and people does he describe in the poems? how do his descriptions make you feel? how does he use the five senses to describe things?

The students will think of their own special place to write a poem about. It can be a specific place that they enjoy or some kind of event that is special to them. Encourage them to pick something that is related to nature and has a special meaning to them.
The students will write a poem about their special surroundings using descriptive language. They should include descriptions of the place and their feelings when they are there. They should also include what this place means to them. Encourage them to make it personal and to use feelings. They can illustrate their poem to expand on it.