Introduction

Students have read about how César Chávez organized the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) and helped to improve working conditions for Hispanic Americans. In this activity, students will explore the motivations of Chávez and the methods he used to gain rights for farm workers.

Lesson Description

Students will use information from the Viva César E. Chávez! Web site to learn about César Chávez and his efforts to improve the working conditions of farm workers. Students will read a biography about Chávez, learn about his achievements, and study the chronology of events in his life. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by writing a brief biography of César Chávez.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will explain how Chávez's actions expanded economic opportunities and political rights for Hispanic Americans.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to write a brief biography of César Chávez.

Student Activity Answers

1. Chávez was born to a Spanish-speaking migrant farm family. Growing up, he and his siblings attended more than 30 English-speaking schools. School was difficult for him and other migrant children. Many teachers did not want to spend much time on students they knew would move away soon, and some were prejudiced against Spanish-speaking students.
2. The migrant workers had no permanent homes. They lived in dingy overcrowded quarters, without bathrooms, electricity, or running water. Sometimes, they lived in the pickup trucks in which they traveled.
3. Chávez states that he wants the migant workers to be treated not as slaves but as humans. He laments the fact that migrants wear rags and that women and children have to work in the fields. He thinks that the strength of a union will help them get living wages and job security.
4. In 1990, Mexican President Salinas de Gortari awarded Chávez the Aguila Azteca, the highest Mexican civilian award. In 1994, President Bill Clinton posthumously awarded him the U.S. Medal of Freedom. Also in 1994, California governor Pete Wilson signed the César Chávez holiday bill, designating March 31 as a state holiday.
5. Students' biographies will vary.

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