nycdoe054: This Is My Superpower

✍ Brief Summary:

In this bilingual (English/Spanish) picture book, young Carlitos attends his first lucha libre match in Mexico City with his father, Papá Lupe. Although his Uncle Vicente was supposed to join them, he didn't attend. Carlitos is captivated at the arena by the legendary wrestler El Hombre de la Máscara de Plata (The Man in the Silver Mask). The masked luchador's eyes seem strangely familiar, and he even shares a mysterious smile with Carlitos. As the match unfolds, Carlitos watches in awe as the Man in the Silver Mask battles against the "rudos" (the bad guys), including characters like El Cucuy (the Boogeyman), the Evil Caveman, and the Vampire. The audience boos and hisses at the villains, cheering for the hero. Ultimately, the Man in the Silver Mask triumphs and Carlitos becomes a lifelong hero. The story concludes with a subtle revelation about the Man's true identity in the Silver Mask!

📚 Here's how the book serves as a strong resource for our Title III Program:

The book Lucha Libre:

The Man in the Silver Mask by Xavier Garza is a culturally rich, bilingual picture book that aligns closely with the goals of a NYC Title III program in a public elementary school setting. Here's how it supports these goals:

Lucha Libre:

The Man in the Silver Mask introduces children to the cultural significance of lucha libre in Mexican heritage. The book provides insights into the roles of "técnicos" (the good guys) and "rudos" (the bad guys) in the sport, as well as the traditions and rituals associated with the matches. The bilingual text makes it an excellent resource for English Language Learners, promoting language development and cultural appreciation.
The book supports English Language Development (ELD)
Bilingual Format (English/Spanish) The book is written in both languages, making it accessible to MLLs while encouraging vocabulary development.
Students build Literacy by making connections between their home language and English.

Contextual Vocabulary:

Key vocabulary words (wrestler, mask, hero, arena) are embedded in a meaningful narrative, helping students learn new words in context.
Students can practice decoding, comprehension, and oral expression.

It promotes Cultural Identity and Pride:

Celebration of Latinx Culture: The story introduces students to the tradition of lucha libre, a beloved and symbolic sport in Mexican culture. It honors cultural figures and community heroes, like masked wrestlers, in an engaging, age-appropriate way.
Students from Latinx backgrounds feel seen and celebrated.

Positive Representation:

Carlitos, a bilingual boy navigating Mexican and American cultures, provides an authentic mirror for many multilingual students.
Supports cultural pride.
Lucha Libre enhances Academic Achievement.
Through interdisciplinary learning. The book allows for reading, writing, art, and social studies by exploring narrative structure, traditions, and character education (good vs bad, courage, mystery)
Engages MLLs in rigorous academic tasks by summarizing or dramatizing scenes from the book, reinforcing comprehension and sequencing skills.
Great for speaking practice.
Supports Social-Emotional Learning
Helps students explore self-esteem, aspiration, and family roots.
Carlitos admires the masked wrestler and reflects on personal identity and heritage.

Safe Space for Expression:

The imaginative, superhero-like context of lucha libre gives children a creative outlet to discuss their dreams, strengths, and cultural heroes.
Inspires artwork and oral presentations.

🧩 Activity of Integration: "Masked Heroes: Identity, Culture, and Voice"

Objectives:

Students retell key events and characters from Lucha Libre using academic vocabulary.
Students explore and reflect on the cultural role of masked wrestlers in Mexican traditions.
Students create their own "heroic mask" and short descriptive writing to express personal and cultural identity.

Process:

Teachers read the story aloud (pausing to discuss vocabulary: luchador, rudo, mascara, técnico).

Teachers ask:

Who Is the Man in the Silver Mask?
Why is Carlitos so excited?
How does the story make you feel about heroes?
Chart "What Makes a Hero? Students brainstorm words that describe a hero.
Compare fictional heroes (masked wrestlers) to real-life heroes (family, teachers, firefighters, etc.)
Design Activity: My Hero Mask": Students design their luchador or superhero mask using art materials.
If you were a masked hero, what would your name be? What would your colors mean?

🗣📝 Sentence Frames for Writing and Oral Practice:

Students complete a short paragraph using sentence frames: