Domain:
History & Culture
Competency:
Recognize injustice and change
🎂
7-9 year olds
⏰
30 to 35 minutes min
Lesson Rating
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Learning Objective
Students will identify examples of bravery and leadership in Jovita's story and relate them to instances of overcoming stereotypes in their own lives or community.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In 'Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter' by Aida Salazar, readers are introduced to the inspiring life of Jovita Valdovinos, a young woman who challenged societal norms during the Cristeros War in Mexico. Jovita, who disliked the traditional skirts she was expected to wear, yearned for the freedom to climb trees and ride horses like her male relatives. When her father and brothers joined the fight for religious freedom, Jovita found a way to join them by disguising herself as a man. Her story of bravery and determination is vividly depicted through engaging illustrations and storytelling, highlighting her role as a revolutionary figure. This picture book biography, written by Jovita's great-niece, celebrates her courage and tenacity in standing up for her beliefs.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 | Written by Michelle Markel, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Published by Balzer + Bray | This picture book tells the story of Clara Lemlich, a young immigrant who fought for workers' rights, showcasing themes of bravery and justice similar to Jovita's story. |
| The Story of Ruby Bridges | Written by Robert Coles, Illustrated by George Ford, Published by Scholastic | This book shares the courageous journey of Ruby Bridges, a young girl who bravely stood up against racial segregation in schools, providing a powerful example of standing up for one's beliefs. |
| She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World | Written by Chelsea Clinton, Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger, Published by Philomel Books | This inspiring book highlights the stories of thirteen American women who, like Jovita, defied expectations and made significant impacts, encouraging young readers to recognize their own potential for change. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bravery | Being brave means having the courage to do something even when you are scared or it is difficult. | Jovita showed bravery when she dressed as a man to join the fight for freedom, even though it was dangerous. |
| Courage | Courage is the ability to face fear, pain, or challenges with strength. | It took a lot of courage for Jovita to break the rules and wear pants so she could join her family in the fight. |
| Determination | Determination means deciding to do something and not giving up, even when it is hard. | Jovita's determination to fight for her beliefs inspired others to be strong too. |
| Stereotype | A stereotype is a fixed idea about what people in a certain group are like, which is often not true. | Jovita challenged stereotypes about what women could do by fighting in the war. |
| Inspire | To inspire means to make someone feel excited or hopeful about doing something good. | Jovita's actions inspired others to stand up for their rights and be brave. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "How can being brave and standing up for what you believe in make a difference in your life and the lives of others around you?"
Today, we're going to explore how being brave and standing up for what we believe in can change our lives and those around us. Let's think about a time when you felt brave, even if it was just a little bit, and how that made you feel inside.
Anticipatory Set
- Begin by asking students to close their eyes and imagine a time when they felt brave. It could be something simple, like trying a new food, or something bigger, like standing up for a friend.
- Show a picture of a mountain or a tall tree and ask students to imagine themselves climbing it. What might they see or feel as they climb higher? Encourage them to think about how bravery might feel in their bodies.
- Invite students to share their thoughts with a partner, using a sentence starter like, 'I felt brave when..' or 'Bravery feels like..'.
Teacher Tips
- Create a calm and respectful atmosphere by gently guiding students through the visualization exercise, using a soft voice and reassuring presence.
- Encourage all students to participate by offering sentence starters or pairing shy students with more expressive classmates.
- Validate each student's contribution, emphasizing that bravery looks different for everyone and that all examples are valuable.
Learn
Let's journey into the life of a remarkable young woman in 'Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter' by Aida Salazar. This story introduces us to Jovita Valdovinos, a brave girl who defied norms to fight for what she believed in. As we read, think about how her courage might inspire us in our own lives.
Interactive Engagement
- As Jovita decides to disguise herself to join the fight, let's pause and think: What do you think is going through her mind? What might she be feeling?
- Look closely at the illustrations showing Jovita riding a horse. How do you think it feels to her to be doing something she loves but was told she shouldn't?
- Jovita's actions challenge the expectations others have for her. Can you think of a time when you did something unexpected that surprised others?
- When Jovita steps into her new role, what changes do you notice in how others see her and how she sees herself? How do these changes help her?
- As we read about Jovita's journey, consider what it means to be a leader. How does she show leadership in her actions and decisions?
Teacher Tips
- Pause occasionally to discuss illustrations. Ask students to describe what they see and how it connects to the story.
- Use different voices for characters to help students distinguish between them and stay engaged with the narrative.
- Encourage students to share their thoughts and connections with a partner or small group to foster a sense of community and diverse perspectives.
Ask
Now that we've finished reading about Jovita's inspiring journey, let's take some time to think about how her story and actions connect to our own lives and the world around us.
Discussion Questions
- Think about a time when you felt like you needed to stand up for something important to you. How did that experience change the way you see yourself or others?
- Jovita showed bravery by challenging the expectations people had for her. Can you think of a way that being courageous might help someone in your community?
- How do you imagine Jovita felt when she succeeded in joining the fight? What can her story teach us about the power of believing in ourselves and our abilities?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to share personal stories by using gentle prompts and giving them time to think. Remind them that it's okay to feel unsure and that bravery looks different for everyone.
- Facilitate a supportive discussion by acknowledging and valuing each student's contribution, which helps build a classroom culture of trust and respect.
- Invite students to connect Jovita's story to real-world examples, either from their own lives or from news stories, to deepen their understanding of bravery and leadership in different contexts.
Navigate
Jovita's Courageous Path: A Journey of Discovery
This activity allows students to explore themes of bravery and leadership by reflecting on their own experiences with stereotypes. By drawing inspiration from Jovita's courage, students will engage in creative expression and group collaboration to understand the impact of standing up for one's beliefs.
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Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to think deeply about personal experiences and emotions related to bravery.
- Facilitate a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their stories.
- Use guiding questions to prompt reflection, such as 'How did this experience change your view on stereotypes?' or 'What did you learn about yourself or others?'.
Share
As we finish our lesson on Jovita's inspiring story, let's take a moment to think about all the bravery and leadership we discovered. Consider how these ideas helped us see how standing up for what we believe in can change our lives and the world around us.
Reflection Questions
- What is one thing you learned about bravery from Jovita's story, and how might you use that lesson in your own life?
- Think about a time when you felt brave or stood up for something important. How did it feel, and what did you learn from that experience?
- Jovita challenged what others expected of her. How can you use her example to make a difference in your community or with your friends?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to share their reflections in pairs or small groups to build confidence and foster connection.
- Allow students to choose how they express their reflections, whether through drawing, speaking, or writing, to honor different learning styles.
- Highlight and celebrate the connections between student reflections and the key themes of bravery and leadership to reinforce their importance.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Visual: Use a large, illustrated timeline or infographic depicting Jovita's key acts of bravery and leadership. Incorporate symbols and keywords that represent overcoming stereotypes to visually connect with the 'Bravery Path' activity.
- Auditory: Create a narrated version of Jovita's story with sound effects. Include recordings of students reading their reflections on bravery to incorporate peer voices. Use audio clips of community leaders discussing their experiences with stereotypes.
- Tactile/Kinesthetic: Incorporate a hands-on activity where students use clay or craft materials to create symbols or figures that represent moments of bravery from Jovita's story and their own lives. Facilitate a role-playing scenario where students act out scenes of standing up against stereotypes, integrating movement with storytelling.
Action & Expression
- Multiple Modalities: Allow students to express their understanding of bravery by creating a short video diary, a puppet show, or a digital presentation alongside traditional presentations of their 'Bravery Path.'.
- Communication Preferences: Facilitate group presentations where students choose their roles, such as a narrator, artist, or speaker. Encourage the use of digital platforms for students who prefer to record their presentations.
- Varied Ability Levels: Provide templates for the 'Bravery Path' with prompts and sentence starters for students needing additional support. Offer extension activities where advanced students can write a short play depicting a scene from their path or Jovita's story.
Engagement
- Capture Attention: Begin the session with a short, animated video depicting Jovita's most courageous act. Follow with a guided visualization where students imagine being in a situation requiring bravery.
- Maintain Engagement: Set up a 'Bravery Path' gallery walk where each group's path can be displayed. Encourage students to leave sticky notes with positive comments or connections to their own experiences.
- Address Preferences: Provide a choice between different media for creating the 'Bravery Path,' such as digital drawing tools, physical collage materials, or a combination. Offer students the option to research and incorporate stories of bravery from other cultures into their paths.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- During group discussions, observe students' ability to identify and articulate examples of bravery and leadership from their own experiences and compare them to Jovita's story. Look for students who make connections and show understanding of how stereotypes were overcome, noting specific language and examples used.
- As students work on their 'Bravery Path' visual representations, circulate and engage with them by asking probing questions about their illustrations. Pay attention to how they use symbols and words to convey bravery and leadership, and note any insightful connections they make between personal or community experiences and Jovita's actions.
- Facilitate peer feedback sessions where students present their 'Bravery Path' and respond to classmates' questions. Observe the depth of their reflections and the ability to relate Jovita's story to their own or community experiences with overcoming stereotypes. Look for evidence of critical thinking and empathy in their interactions.
Summative Assessment
- Assess the submitted 'Bravery Path' projects for clear representation of bravery and leadership, ensuring they include moments from Jovita's story and personal or community experiences with stereotypes. Evaluate the use of symbols or words that effectively communicate these themes and any cultural elements included.
- Evaluate students' participation in the group presentation of their 'Bravery Path,' focusing on their ability to articulate the connections between Jovita's actions and personal experiences. Consider their responses to peer questions and comments, ensuring they demonstrate an understanding of how bravery can lead to change and cultural evolution.
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