Activities to Teach Students About Cesar Chavez
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Cesar Chavez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist who fought for farmers, workers, and immigrants. He co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) in 1962 and led several strikes and boycotts to improve the living and working conditions of migrant workers in California and other states. His legacy of nonviolent resistance, social justice, and community organizing continues to inspire generations of people around the world.
Teaching students about Cesar Chavez is a great way to honor his life and legacy, and to raise awareness about issues of social and economic justice. Here are some activities that you can use to teach students about Cesar Chavez and his impact on American society.
1. Read about Cesar Chavez
The first step in teaching students about Cesar Chavez is to read about his life and work. There are many books, articles, and websites that provide information about Chavez’s upbringing, his role in the UFW, and his activism on behalf of farm workers, the environment, and other causes. You can ask students to read a biography of Chavez, take notes, and share their findings with the class. Here are some book suggestions:
– “Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez” by Kathleen Krull
– “The Crusades of Cesar Chavez: A Biography” by Miriam Pawel
– “Cesar Chavez: A Hero for Everyone” by Gary Soto
– “Cesar Chavez: The Struggle for Justice” by Richard Griswold del Castillo
2. Watch a documentary or movie
Another way to introduce students to Cesar Chavez is to show them a documentary or movie about his life and work. There are several films that depict Chavez’s struggles and achievements, and that provide an insight into the social and political context of his activism. You can watch a movie with your class, and use it as a starting point for a debate or discussion about social justice issues. Here are some movie suggestions:
– “Cesar Chavez” (2014) – a biographical drama directed by Diego Luna
– “The Fight in the Fields” (1997) – a documentary series about the UFW movement
– “Viva la Causa” (2008) – a documentary about the grape boycott of 1965-1970
– “Delano Manongs” (2014) – a documentary about Filipino-American farm workers in California
3. Discuss key concepts and vocabulary
When teaching about Cesar Chavez, it is important to introduce students to key concepts and vocabulary related to labor rights, civil rights, and social justice. You can create a list of terms to define, and ask students to research and explain their meanings. You can also use a graphic organizer or a concept map to illustrate the connections between different concepts. Here are some terms that you may want to include:
– Union
– Strike
– Boycott
– Nonviolence
– Civil disobedience
– Social justice
– Human rights
– Environmentalism
4. Role-play a boycott or a strike
One of the most effective ways to teach students about the power of collective action is to role-play a boycott or a strike. You can divide your class into two groups: one representing the workers, and the other representing the employers or the consumers. You can simulate a scenario in which the workers demand better wages, working conditions, or benefits, and the other group responds by either cooperating or resisting their demands. You can also assign roles to different students, such as a picket leader, a mediator, a spokesperson, or a scab (a worker who crosses the picket line). This activity can help students understand the challenges and the strategies of social movements, and develop their critical thinking and communication skills.
5. Write a letter to a public official
Another way to engage students in civic activism is to write a letter to a public official or a community leader, expressing their concerns or their support for a specific issue. You can ask students to research an issue that is related to labor rights or social justice, such as the minimum wage, immigration reform, or environmental protection, and to write a persuasive letter to a government representative, a business owner, or a media outlet. This activity can help students develop their writing and research skills, and connect their personal experiences to larger social issues.
Teaching students about Cesar Chavez is a way to inspire them to become active and engaged citizens, and to cultivate values of empathy, solidarity, and respect. By learning about the struggles of the past, students can gain insights and skills that they can apply to the challenges of the present and the future.