* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Another discussion topic could include varying expectations for male and female children. Are learners' expectations for their children different between genders? Have immigrants' expectations about boys and girls shifted since coming to Canada? (See also "Cultural Awareness Activities")

8. Writing

* Having generated and written words about family on the blackboard, and worked with the grid, learners may want to do some language experience writing about people in their households and/or their families.

9. Reading: "Something about My Life"

Something about My Life
45 Reading

Topics raised during the clustering work may lead the group to do some paragraph writing, or pursue readings about particular aspects of family life, such as this one. Dominga Caballero's story about her life ties together many of the day-to-day and larger concerns that may arise through discussion within this chapter.

Ask learners to read Dominga's story (page 45) in small groups and to talk about their reactions to her story. Some questions to consider:

  • What is the relationship between Dominga and her daughter?
  • What are the differences between Dominga and her father?
  • What might Dominga want to tell her father if she had the opportunity now?

10. Writing

* When learners have finished discussing the story, ask them to write their own story, something about their lives. One way to start the writing process might be to use the first words in each of Dominga's paragraphs:

My story begins ___________________________________________

I was very _______________________________________________

Several years after I ________________________________________

During those years _________________________________________

Now, I want to ___________________________________________

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