It’s something CES fifth graders look forward to each year – and it never disappoints! The students read the Scholastic classic, Esperanza Rising, and then spend a day doing some of the things that meant so much to Esperanza.

 

 

Esperanza is a young girl living a life of privilege on her family’s ranch in Mexico. She enjoys all of the finer things in life with no hardships. However, she is entitled and spoiled. She doesn’t treat people the way she should with respect. Then tragedy strikes, her father dies. This changes everything for Esperanza and her mama. They lose everything including their ranch because women cannot own land. The two run away to California to work at a Mexican farm labor camp. This changes Esperanza. For the first time in her life she is working hard and facing financial struggles brought on by her circumstance and the Great Depression. Now she is not being accepted by people.

 

 

Much happens in her journey to make her a better person. Her abuelita teaches Esperanza how to crochet. Esperanza’s mama teaches her how to make a doll from yarn. A quilt made by abuelita plays a big part in the story.

 

 

 

Our CES students made dolls from yarn. They learned how to crochet, making headbands, hair ties, bracelets and hats. And they took a favorite part of the book and drew it on a piece of paper. When all drawings were complete, they created a large quilt, just like abuelita did! They also had a delicious Mexican lunch.

 

 

 

 

In the end, Esperanza grows as a person, maturing into someone who accepts people no matter their circumstances. Esperanza rises from the depths of her circumstances into a better human being.

 

This year’s Esperanza celebration was a special one – it is the last for teacher Susan Corcoran who is retiring at the end of this school year. Sean Healy, Robin Conklin and Ms. Corcoran have made this a wonderful event for the students! Much love and best wishes to Ms. Corcoran!