In 1945 he hired civil rights attorney David Marcus to represent his family. Write down a series of questions her lawyer, David Marcus, might have asked her and questions the school district’s lawyers might have asked her.

Judge Paul J. McCormick ruled in favor of the Mexican families. What the Mendez case did for California, the Brown decision did for the nation. Marshall used some of the same arguments from Mendez to win Brown v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court concluded that segregated schools were “inherently unequal” and must be integrated “with all deliberate speed.”. It should be. Zodiac sign: . This is a blog about reading, writing, teaching, and living history. When the Mendez case was tried before the 9th District Court of Appeals, other civil rights groups supported them, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the American Jewish Congress, and the Japanese American Citizens League. Restaurants posted signs to keep Mexicans out. As is generally the case with nonfiction picture books, younger readers will likely need adult guidance to understand sections of the story that deal with legal proceedings and other points of the Mendez’s battle.

He decided he didn’t like them because they looked Mexican.

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Her mother said, “Don’t you realize that this is what we fought for?” Then it dawned on Sylvia–this fight was about much more than attending a school with a playground. Why was it important for all the children of California?

She’s the daughter of Gonzalo Mendez, a Mexican-born, naturalized citizen of the United States, and his wife, Felicitas, from Puerto Rico. This fight would not just be for the Mendez children but for all children of color in California. For the first time in the nation’s history a court had ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional. Eventually, they received wider support. Research Sylvia’s adult life to determine what actions earned her such an honor?

Leading the charge took Mr. Mendez away from the farm for long stretches, leaving Mrs. Mendez to perform farming tasks that her husband normally would have handled. Picture books are powerful teaching tools, not just for elementary kids but for older readers as well. She is interviewed on this video, which highlights points of the story told in the book and shows photographs of her as a child and of the schools in question. It is at this point where Duncan Tonatiuh begins his picture book. The judge’s final ruling states that “public education must be open to all children by unified school association regardless of lineage.”.

Young Sylvia is in the courtroom during the proceedings, where she hears statements by a school official about the supposedly lice-ridden, inferior nature of Mexicans. But the principal refused to admit Sylvia and her brothers because this school was only for white children.

The building was spacious and clean and surrounded by trees. Felicitas Mendez said, “When you fight for justice, others will follow.”. Then have them use the words to write a paragraph describing Sylvia. The Core Skills Workout comes with every issue and will support your reading program no matter what your scope and sequence. The book features Tonatiuh’s trademark, award-winning illustration and his retelling of the facts. It was important for all the children of California because it meant they would be treated equally. by Yamile Saied Méndez, Book Review: The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya, Book Review: This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp. Find it at storycorps.org/listen/sylvia-mendez-and-sandra-mendez-duran. The children were “inferior” to white children, he argued.

At movie theaters, Mexican Americans had to sitin the balcony, not the lower level. How would this story be different if Gonzalo Mendez had been too poor to hire a lawyer? Sylvia Mendez age is 81 years. In the corresponding page spread, a white boy tells Sylvia, “You don’t belong here,” and Sylvia is shown with a bowed head and a tear sliding down her cheek. TM ® & © 2020 Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sylvia Mendez narrates the book as she encounters resistance in her new, integrated school. Call on a volunteer to read aloud the Up Close box on page 21 to set a purpose for reading. Reminded by her mother of the long fight they undertook to win her right to equal schooling, Sylvia perseveres, proving herself as steely as her parents. They can learn to understand and respect other people’s backgrounds, and not judge people based on how they look. Â, Critical-Thinking Question (activity sheet online), Why was winning the lawsuit important for the Mendez family? Not Much is known about Sylvia family and Relationships.

Sylvia Mendez was an 8-year-old American child living in California. How would this story be different if all the Mexican families had signed Gonzalo Mendez’ petition? When trying to enroll in the Westminster school, Sylvia and her two brothers were denied their enrollment and told that they belonged at the "Mexican school." The victory illuminated by Separate is Never Equal belongs in a clear line of prominent milestones of American civil rights.

Reread Sylvia’s and Miguel’s lines in Scene 3. Dioramas in the Classroom—Fun and Effective Project Based Learning, Why History Matters: A Teacher’s Rationale, New Narrative Nonfiction for Middle Grade Readers, Through Their Eyes—Letters from Soldiers in the Civil War. RL.4.1, RL.4.2, RL.4.3, RL.4.5, W.4.2, SL.4.1, SL.4.2, L.4.6, RL.5.1, RL.5.2, RL.5.3, RL.5.5, W.5.2, SL.5.1, SL.5.2, L.5.6, RL.6.1, RL.6.2, RL.6.3, RL.6.5, W.6.2, SL.6.1, SL.6.2, L.6.6, 4.1; 4.2a, b, e; 4.3, 4.5; 4.18a, c; 4.20; 4.27; 4.28; 4.29; 5.1; 5.2a, b, e; 5.3, 5.5; 5.18a, c; 5.20; 5.27; 5.28; 5.29; 6.1; 6.2a, b, e; 6.3, 6.5; 6.17a, c; 6.19; 6.26; 6.27; 6.28. The same de facto segregation existed in California public schools.

Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Sylvia was surprised that so many people from such different backgrounds were helping her family. close-reading and critical-thinking questions, storycorps.org/listen/sylvia-mendez-and-sandra-mendez-duran.

If you were in Sylvia’s shoes, how would you answer these questions? Compare and contrast the two lawsuits. Encourage them to find text evidence to support their choices.

Sylvia was never called to testify in court, but imagine she had been. In later interviews Sylvia admits that until that moment she had not really understood what their court challenge was all about. About Mendez v. Westminster.