The Bean Trees Lesson Plan

Guatemala in the 1980s

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

Students will research the political situation in Guatemala in the 1980s to better understand the work Mattie does with refugees.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.7; CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9

Structure:

The topic of undocumented immigrants and refugees is one we hear about constantly on the news and in politics today, and this novel shows us that it has long been a topic of conversation and contention in the United States. Many of the people Mattie helps in the novel come from Central America, particularly Guatemala.

For this activity, ask students to research the political situation in...