Finding the Music / En pos de la música

How to Teach This Book

1. Inspire students to explore and appreciate how their own families are connected to their neighborhoods. Ask students to brainstorm what makes a community and think about what sights, sounds, and smells make their community special. How do their families contribute to the essence of their neighborhood?
2. Have students interview a family member about what makes the community special and share their findings with the class to compile a chart or illustrated poster about the great things in your community.

Questions for Discussion or Reflective Writing

1. What does it mean to be a neighbor?
2. What communities do you belong to?
3. What sounds, tastes, and smells can you find in your community?
4. What does your community look like?
5. What do neighbors have in common?
6. Why is diversity (of appearance, values, interests, jobs, etc.) important in a community?

Additional Resources for Teaching About Exploring Community

• Mariachi Youth Program: Music from PBS LearningMedia
• Lee & Low’s Teacher’s Guide
• Unity in the Community lessons from Learning to Give
• Community lesson plan from the Peace Corps
• This Is My Neighborhood lesson plan from Scholastic
• Reading Is Fundamental support materials