Lesson Plan - My Superpower!

Watch the Video
Watch the video “Immigrants in America” before reading to build background knowledge. Discuss some of the challenges immigrants to the United States might face, including learning to speak a new language.

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• fluent 
• translate

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about some of the benefits of speaking more than one language.

1. Describe two ways being bilingual has made a difference in Reisli Maldonado Quintero’s life.
Sample response: Two ways being bilingual has made a difference in Reisli Maldonado Quintero’s life are helping her get to know kids from many backgrounds and allowing her to help her family figure out life in a new country.
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2. According to the article, why did Reisli’s family move to the U.S. from Venezuela?
Reisli’s family moved to the U.S. from Venezuela because some parts of Venezuela are dangerous.  Reisli’s parents often feared for their family’s safety.
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3. What is the main idea of the sidebar, “Celebrate Hispanic History”?
The main idea of the sidebar, “Celebrate Hispanic History,” is that Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the U.S. from September 15 to October 15 to honor the traditions and ways of life of people whose families are from countries where most residents speak Spanish.
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FEATURED SKILL: Vocabulary
Distribute the skill builder “Borrowed Words” and explore some words the English language has borrowed directly from Spanish. After students answer the questions, have them write sentences for three of the words.
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