In this task, you will apply reading strategies to a passage from Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall. Part A
Begin by previewing the passage from Under the Mesquite. Quickly look over the text to become familiar with the topic and the free-verse style of the text before reading it. Examine text features such as the Spanish symbols and accents, headings, and verse organization.

Write a list of at least three things that you noticed in your preview of the text.

Part B
Now it is time to independently read and reread the passage from Under the Mesquite. Use a different reading speed each time you read it, and take notes on what you learn from the passage at different reading speeds. For example, speed up to skim the text for key words. Slow down to learn new information. Use the table to record your thoughts.

Part C
The next reading strategy you will use helps to organize the text into smaller sections. This strategy is called chunking the text. Look at the stanzas of the free-verse narrative passage from Under the Mesquite. Do any of them fit together? Are there clear transitions in the story? How would you chunk the text? Focus on one section at a time. Write an outline of how you organized the text into smaller sections.

Tip: Chunking the text helps you understand and remember what you read.

Part D
Do you find the characters and events in the story to be believable and relatable?

Read the passage from Under the Mesquite once more and take notes about the main character, Lupita, who is the narrator in this passage. As you take notes, you may want to use this graphic organizer to identify Lupita’s feelings, attributes, sayings, and thoughts in the text.

As you summarize your findings in the table, use detailed examples from the text.