(Recorded Course) Living History through Literature (Modern Era): Padre Pro Mexican Hero: with Jackie de Laveaga, M.Ed.

Meet Blessed Miguel Pro! Hero of Mexico. 

Blessed Miguel Pro is a beautiful example of how Christians can stand up for our faith in the face of persecution. "Viva Cristo Rey!"

 

Total Classes: 6

Duration: 45 minutes

Prerequisite: No class prerequisite. Your student will need Powerpoint or Google Slides to work on the Final Project. 

Suggested Grade Level: 6th to 9th grade

Suggested Credit: 1/2 semester History or Literature

Instructor: Jackie de Laveaga, BA, M.Ed.

Instructor Email: hsc@delaveaga.app

Course Description: Living History Through Literature is a project-based course series offered to 6th through 9th grade students. These courses will weave the study of literature into a meaningful and engaging encounter with a specific era of history. In LHTL: Modern History 2, we meet Blessed Miguel Pro. The story starts in the heart of Miguel’s closely knit, devout family. Born in 1891, he assisted his father, an agent assigned to a remote mining camp in Zacatecas. Miguel’s journey to the priesthood was plagued by difficulties and setbacks that tempered and transformed the mischievous youth into Padre Pro, a man ready to lay down his life for Christ his King. Blessed Miguel Pro was beatified in 1988 by Pope John Paul II.

Students will study the historical context of the novel and participate in engaging literature discussions. In this project-based course, students will engage in short quizzes and in projects of their choice. Project options will include fiction writing, preparing period-specific food and/or costumes, creating classic art remakes, recreating scenes from the novel (Legos, clay, K’nex, digital drawing, hand-drawing, etc.), building a timeline, mapping, and more.

Course Outline:

  • Class 1: Overview of Historical Context and Novel Introduction

  • Class 2: Literature Discussion; Project Introduction

  • Class 3: Literature Discussion; Cultural Overview

  • Class 4: Literature Discussion; Fiction Writing Tips

  • Class 5: Literature Discussion; Final Project Instructions

  • Class 6 Literature Analysis and Historical Connections; Student Project Showcase

Course Materials: Padre Pro: Mexican Hero, by Fanchon Royer, ISBN# 978-1932350760 (https://bethlehembooks.com/product/padre-pro-mexican-hero/). Purchase new from BethlehemBooks.com or used from BookFinder.com. Your student will need PowerPoint or Google Slides (free online) to create a final project.

Homework: Weekly quizzes, forums, and reading assignments. Each week, students are encouraged to work on one project-based assignment that will culminate in a final novel project submission. Homework (including novel reading) will take 1.5-3 hours per week. Parents are encouraged to support younger students by reading texts aloud and helping with project planning and execution.