Sandra Cisneros in the Classroom: "Do not forget to reach"

by Carol Jago

Sandra Cisneros in the Classroom, the third volume in the NCTE High School Literature Series, explores the joys of reading and teaching the stories and poems of noted Mexican American author Sandra Cisneros. These works resonate with the challenges and promises of living in a multicultural society and appeal to students of all backgrounds. This handy volume provides biographical information, including an interview with Sandra Cisneros; activities to help students mine their own experiences as rich sources of personal writing using both Cisneros’s nonfiction and fiction as models; methods for weaving literary terminology into the experience of literature study; samples of critical essays suitable for sharing with students; and lists of further resources for teaching both Cisneros’s works and literature in general.

112 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

About the author

Carol Jago is an American English teacher, author, and past president of the National Council of Teachers of English. In 2016, Jago received the CEL Kent Williamson Exemplary Leadership Award from the National Council of Teachers of English.

Reviews

[BookChampions · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of a solid little series of books, but those written by Carol Jago are particularly good. This one is her best, I think.

In under 100 pages, Jago presents a pedagogy that I can both emulate and reasonably enact. Jago demonstrates that she knows what she is talking about and has a passion for teaching and literature. Her pedagogy comes right out of the many years she spent in the classroom, and it is refreshingly balanced on writing, reading, and critical thinking. It's the sort of balance I aspire for in my own classroom.

I've read this one every time I prepare to teach Cisneros, so I know this won't be the last time.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've seen a few of these books available at the county office, but never got one until now. All I can say is I hope the rest are as thoughtful, motivating, and practical as this one about Sandra Cisneros is. I need to purchase one for myself, I like it so much!