El Escape Cubano - Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - ¿Es Real?

The story has taken a tragic turn. Gloria's father has disappeared; reality has sunk in. He is not coming back, drowned among the tossing waves. Yet, Miguel and his company aboard the raft haven't had time to truly process this. They've lost their food and their journey and prospects are looking grim. This is where we begin this chapter.

Having now read/followed along to this chapter, please provide a brief chapter summary by answering the Google Classroom Question.

El Escape Cubano - Chapters 7 & 8

Chapter 7 - El Remo

At the end of the previous chapter, Miguel and Gloria fell off the raft as they were dancing. This is where this chapter begins.

Chapter 8 - Silencio

Tragedy has struck and bitter reality lurks all around them, darkness creeps in. Miguel and Gloria will need to support each other and those remaining in their company, trying to keep hope alive.

And here we end our story for now. Two more weeks and we will have finished. Next week, we will cover chapter 9 before we conclude the story the following week. Again, our main focus is on reading/listening comprehension. Please answer the Google Classroom question with a brief summary of the 2 chapters as well as a brief reaction to the struggles these characters are facing (perhaps, think about what you would feel and/or do if you were in their shoes).

El Escape Cubano - Chapters 5 & 6

Capítulo 5 - Enojado

We rejoin Miguel on the raft with his father as well as the family of Fabio, including Gloria, the girl who Miguel has a ¨crush¨ on. They have just left Cuba on the raft and are headed towards Florida.

Capítulo 6 - Llueve

The story continues in chapter 6. Miguel is very angry at his father (possibly with cause? - albeit his father has a defense for his actions which might justify it?). As the title indicates, rain is on the way. Remember ¨llueve¨ is from the verb ¨llover¨, meaning ¨to rain¨.

Now that you have read & followed-along to chapters 5 and 6, please give some thought to the story in a response to the Google Classroom Question, addressing the following: a short 3-5 sentence summary of the chapters as well as a short prediction of what might happen next, given how chapter 6 ends.

El Escape Cubano - Chapters 3 & 4

Our story continues where it left off last time. Miguel went home with his father after meeting with his friend Fabio. However, he was never able to talk with Fabio about his father´s planned escape. This is where we pick up with chapter 3.

The plot continues straight into chapter 4 where Miguel will face a future that he had no desire for and without someone he loves very dearly.

Now that you have read/listened to these 2 chapters, please answer the Google Classroom Question with a short 3-5 sentence summary of the chapters as well as with your personal reaction to the situation that Miguel faces and how this is emblematic of the conflict/problem faced by those who chose to flee Cuba.

El Escape Cubano - Chapters 1 & 2

Chapter 1 - Conmigo

Please watch the video below while following along with the text in the video and the audio. The glossary for the book is available on the Google Classroom assignment if you'd like to pause and reference it. In this chapter, we will meet our main character, Miguel, and also be introduced to a problem that he will face.

Chapter 2 - Amigo

After watching the video for chapter 1, continue to the video for chapter 2. In this video, Miguel will go to his friend Fabio's house because he has an idea.

El Escape Cubano: Pre-Reading

Part 1: Background of the Conflict

The story we are going to read, El Escape Cubano, introduces us to an area of tension in the Spanish-speaking world and with the United States. Cuba and and the US have had a tumultuous relationship. Watch the video below for a good overview of the conflict.

Part 2: Changes Under President Obama 

Watch the following videos for some information on groundbreaking changes made during the Obama Administration in regards to the official stance towards Cuba and the policy towards those fleeing Cuba, established under President Clinton.

Normalizing Relations

Ending “Wet-Foot, Dry-Foot”

Part 3: A New Direction...A Better Deal

Watch the following video for news on the latest developments in US-Cuba relations after President Trump took office.