Subject: Grade 10 Spanish

Duration: 2 classes

Standards (Illinois):
IL-28.A: Understand oral communication in the target language.

IL-28.B.5a: Discuss and defend a position on an issue in a discussion.

IL-28.B.5b: Approximate native-like pronunciation, intonation and inflection.

IL-28.D: Use the target language to present information, concepts and ideas for a variety of purposes to different audiences.

IL-29.A: Understand manners and customs of various target language societies.

IL-29.A.5: Analyze and interpret manners and customs within the social, academic and work environments of selected target language societies.

IL-29.C.5b: Explain the influence of historical context on form, style and point of view for a variety of literary works.

Goal: To explore life in the Dominican Republic during the Trujillo regime.

Objective: To create a character analysis using In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez.

Activities:
1. Give a short synopsis of contemporary Dominican history and life during the Trujillo regime. Much information about Trujillo and the history of the Dominican Republic can be found online. A website is listed below as a better reference however students are encouraged to find information on their own as well.

2. Students read pages 3 to 59 of chapters one through four.

3. Discuss what life was like under Trujillo, according to the text. Describe the sisters and their lives.

4. Show students the character analysis graphic organizer.

5. Students use all characters in the chapters and create a character analysis using the graphic organizer.

Assessment: Students will be assessed on the character analysis organizers

Materials: Available at the PIER Resource Center
Character analysis graphic organizer
In the Time of the Butterflies novel
History of Trujillo and the Dominican Republic. The website also includes other geographical and historical evidence about the country.