The House on Mango Street Final Project

8th Grade English

Sandra Cisneros tells her readers that she decided to write her novel, The House on
Mango Street, because, “you will always be Mango Street. You canʼt erase what you
know. You canʼt forget who you are.”

The purpose of this project is to create your own book that will help you remember
what you know, as well as show others who you are. As we read the book, you will
be given time to work on this project.

You will also learn how to:

provide details/explanations in your writing
use adjectives/sensory words effectively
organize your personal writing in a meaningful way
 Title Page

The apartment on Blythe Street.

fill in the blanks for the Title

Draw an Illustration/Map/Symbol of Where You Live

Your book MUST HAVE the following items:
30 points
(write this in your notes)

• An Original Cover & Title Page (3 points)

• Dedication (1 point) & About the Author (2 points)
• Table of Contents (4 points)
• 5 Chapters of your choice (4 points each, 20 pts.)
 CHAPTER GUIDELINES

Each chapter should be AT LEAST 100 words. You may write your
chapters in a poem form, as a story, or follow the free verse format that
Esperanza uses in House on Mango Street.

You need to use figurative language (metaphors, similes, idioms,

hyperbole), give DETAILS and SPECIFICS about how something
made you feel, what color clothes you were wearing, who was there, etc.
 Your Name
What is your full name?

Why did your parents name you this—both your first and middle
name (if you know)?

If you were named after someone, give a story or information

about him or her.

Do you like your name? If you could change it, what would you
change it to?

Do you like your last name? Does it show your nationality or background?

p. 10 Sexism, no
strong woman
 Your Dream House
★What you like about your house, and what you donʼt like about it
★For your dream house (money is not an issue here):
★Describe the outside—color, type of exterior, yard
★Describe the inside—how many rooms, what would each room
★be for
★Where—what state, city, street—would your dream house be located?
 Your heritage—cultural heritage

·
What part of the world is your family from?
What is your favorite and least favorite part of your heritage?
Are there any ancestors whom you are proud of or can relate to?
What is your favorite cultural or family tradition?
 A talent or skill you have

★What is it? How did you learn it; who taught it to you?
★How does it make you feel to have a talent/skill? When do you
★use it?
 A time you made a mistake

★What was going on? What happened? How did you feel?
★Were you able to correct the mistake? Why or why not?
★Did anyone get hurt because of your mistake?
A precious material item

★What is it? Who gave it to you or how did you get it?
★Why is this item precious to you? Does it hold any sentimental
★value, and why?
★Relate a memory or story about your material item.
Your best friend (human or animal)

★Who or what is it? What is their name?

★Why is this person or animal your best friend?
★How did you meet? What made you like this person/animal?
★Relate a memory or a story about a fun time with your best friend.
Superstitious beliefs—if you have them, and what they are

★Do you believe in ghosts, poltergeists, witches, etc? Why or why

★not?
★What are your supernatural beliefs?
★What makes you believe in the supernatural?
★Relate a memory or story about your supernatural beliefs.
A special family member

★Who is it? How are you related? Why are they special to
you?

★Relate a memory or story about your special family

member.
 Your first job and your dream job

For your first job:

★Who or what did you work for? What was your job? Why did you
★get a job?
★What was a typical workday like? Did you like your co-workers?
★Did you like working? What did you do with the money you
★earned?
★Relate a memory or story about your first job.
★For your dream job:
★Who or what will you work for? What will be your job title?
★What will a typical workday be like? Will you enjoy working?
★What will you do with the money you make?
Your neighborhood

★Describe your neighborhood—what does it look like? Is it rural,

★suburban, or urban?
★What would a typical day in your neighborhood be like?
★As you walk down the street in your neighborhood, what do you
★see? Kids doing what? Cars? Old people? Animals?
★What sounds do you hear during the day? What sounds do you
★hear at night?
 Your Favorite Food

★Describe your favorite food

★What memories do you associate with it?
★How do you make the food? What are the ingredients?
★How often do your parents make the food?
★Is it healthy?