Recognize and review some of the different ficticious characters
that exist in the hispanic culture and compare them to the "anglo"
culture.
Introduce the figure of "El chupacabras".
Materials:
Computer with access to the World Wide Web
Student Worksheet
Student "Cheat Sheet" of Vocabulary List of Adjectives.
Procedure:
Ask students to list and discuss the various "ficticious
characters" from the "anglo" culture. Example:
Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Boogie Man, Santa, Big Foot.
Ask students to share this information.
Have students go to the "El chupacabras" website.
Have students describe "El chupacabras" (Where?
What? Why? When? How?)
Have students compare "El chupacabras" with other
hispanic ficticious characters and compare with other "anglo"
characters.
Have students discuss why hispanics would believe in a character
like "El chupacabras"? How does this character relate
to the concept of Magic Realism. (Review main concepts of Magic
Realism if necessary.)
Have students discuss the similarities between the "anglo"
culture and the hispanic culture and the need to believe in the
"grey" area in regards to reality and fantasy.
Extension:
Have students create and write a legend about "El chupacabras."
Have students write a letter to a friend describing an "encounter"
that they have had with "El chupacabras".
Give a news broadcast reporting recent happenings of "El
chupacabras."
Objective: In this activity we will visit the above
website and gather information about "El chupacabras".
1. List below all of the fictitious characters that
people believe exist from the "anglo" culture that you
can think of and share your ideas with your partner. What do these
characters represent? Who believes in them? Why or why not?
2. Review with your partner the following ficticious
characters from the hispanic culture: El cucuy, La llorona, Quetzalcoátl,
el ratón Pérez, etc. Share these ideas with the
class.
3. We dare you togo to the above website addresses
and meet "El chupacabras"!
4. Describe in detail "El chupacabras". (What?
Where? When? How? Why?) Share your descriptions with the class.
5. How does "El chupacabras" compare with
other hispanic ficticious characters?
6. How is it similiar or different from the "anglo"
Boogie Man or Big Foot?
7.Why do you think many hispanics believe in
"El chupacabras"?
8. How does "El chupacabras" tie into the
literary concept of "Magic Realism"?
9. Create your own legend based on "El chupacabras".
Include adventures that have taken place and descriptions of these
events.
