Childhood of Cesar Chavez

Worksheet Description

This worksheet focuses on the early life of Cesar Chavez, detailing his childhood spent on a farm in Yuma, Arizona. It recounts the stability and happiness of his early years, which was disrupted when the Great Depression led to his family losing their farm. As a result of these economic challenges, when Chavez was eleven, his family decided to relocate to California in search of employment opportunities. The narrative also touches upon Chavez’s limited formal education, which ceased after the eighth grade, leading him to work alongside his family, thus getting a firsthand experience of the hardships faced by migrant workers.

The educational aim of this worksheet is manifold. Firstly, it provides students with insight into the early life of Cesar Chavez, setting the foundation for understanding his later activism. It also introduces the concept of migrant workers, encouraging students to contemplate the challenges and intricacies of such a life. The questions posed at the end serve to test comprehension, provoke thought on the reasons for migration, and push students to reflect on the lessons Chavez learned during his youth, which would eventually shape his future endeavors and advocacy.