Radio Man
Written and Illustrated by Arthur Dorros
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Topic: Growing Up a Migrant Farmer
The Author: Arthur Dorros
Illustration
Three Criteria
1. Honor and celebrate diversity as well as common bonds in humanity: This book celebrates the Spanish culture of a young boy even though his family has moved to America. He still embraces his cultural history and traditions. He has a common bond with his friend David even though they may be from different backgrounds.
2. Setting representative of and consistent with historical or contemporary time, place, or situation of a particular culture: This story takes place in the Southwest and Western states. It represents the geographic, social, and cultural aspects of these states.
3. Language reflects distinctive vocabulary, style, and patterns of speech of the cultural group: This story was written in English with traditional Spanish sayings throughout. The vocabulary words used are ones that are high frequency in this culture.
Classroom Teaching Application
Grade Level: 4th
Common Core ELA Standard: 4.RL.3: Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.
Objectives: The student will identify the physical characteristics of the setting by referring back to the illustrations. The student will describe the main character's relationship to his culture and his feelings about that culture.
-I will connect this to the lives of my students by teaching them the importance of knowing about their backgrounds and what cultures they come from. I can also connect this to students who have moved before-no matter where they go they can always keep their culture and traditions. Everyone should be accepting, even if someone comes from a different place or background.
-Other connections: This story could be connected to a Geography lesson about the Southwest and West or could be tied to a lesson on the Spanish language or culture.
-I will model what i want them to learn by encouraging them to learn about other cultures.
-They may practice this skill by conducting an interview with someone who is of a different culture.
-They will be able to apply this to their daily lives so they can be accepting of all cultures and not make judgements about other children just because they are from a different background.