Description
This resource for “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros includes engaging reading questions, a strong activating strategy, and a creative after-reading project, making it a well-rounded lesson for teaching this powerful short story.
At first glance, “Eleven” appears to be a simple story about a traumatic moment experienced by a young girl on her birthday. Upon closer analysis, however, the text reveals a deeper struggle involving unfair assumptions, power dynamics, and identity. This lesson challenges students to think beyond universal growing pains and consider the additional burdens placed on individuals due to age, authority, and social expectations. It is an excellent way to amplify Hispanic voices in literature, particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Students engage with the text through a combination of discussion, close reading, and creative expression. The lesson supports both comprehension and higher-level analysis while encouraging empathy and personal reflection.
This resource includes a suggested lesson procedure for teachers, a before-reading activating strategy, and 25 literary analysis questions that guide students through character, theme, conflict, and author’s craft. After reading, students complete a creative project that connects symbolically to the story, including design-your-own sweater ideas, a student example, and a clear rubric. Answer keys are included for all analytical components.
You’ll receive a teacher guide and answer keys in PDF format, along with student materials provided in both editable Word documents and print-ready PDFs. The creative project materials are also included as PDFs and a PowerPoint, giving you flexibility in how you present and assign the activity.
Perfect for grades 6–9 ELA, this “Eleven” lesson supports close reading, literary analysis, and creative thinking while helping students explore themes of identity, voice, and belonging in a meaningful way.