Critical Thinking

• 1. SUM IT UP Complete a Character Description Chart about Esperanza to show what her thoughts and actions show about her. Include her expectations and her strengths.

  Character Description Chart

  What the Character Thinks	What the Character Does	What this Shows About the Character

• 2. Draw Conclusions Mama’s life does not match her expectations. What does Esperanza learn from Mama’s experiences?

• 3. Compare Esperanza doesn’t want to have to pay rent to a landlord anymore. How is her dream house different from the other places she has lived?

• 4. Make Judgments Think about all three selections. Despite mistakes, Arturo, Lekuton, and Esperanza all make important decisions. Whose decision do you think was the hardest? Explain.

Reading Fluency

Phrasing Read the passage on page 636 to a partner. Assess your fluency.

• 1. I read

  • a. great

  • b. OK

  • c. not very well

• 2. What I did best was ______.

Reading Strategy

Vocabulary Review

Oral Review Read the paragraph aloud. Add the vocabulary words.

People have different ______ about their homes. Some people pay ______ to a ______. Some people want to own a home. Every kind of home has different ______. Most people ______ their homes even if they are ______. Sometimes people must put up with a home, ______ the ______ they might feel about it.

Written Review Draw a house for Esperanza. Write captions to explain why she would appreciate this home. Use at least four vocabulary words.

Write About the Guiding Question

Explore Personal Decisions

Esperanza’s expectations and disappointments lead her to make a decision about her future. Reread the selection. Then explain what she did and why.