Standard Benchmark: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

Lesson Objective: Students will be able to identify Sofia's motivation after reading Sofia Valdez, Future Prez. After identifying her motivation, students will be able to describe how that motivation influenced the sequence of events within the story.

Respective Lesson: Once students have listened to or read Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, have them identify Sofia's motivation. Then, have students complete a graphic organizer on the sequence of events in her story. How did Sofia's motivation influence the sequence of events? Allow students to discuss! Conclude the lesson by opening the concept up further: How do our personal emotions impact the actions we make?

Standard Benchmark: Identify ways people make a difference in the civic life of their communities, state, nation, or world by working as individuals or groups to address a specific problem or need.

Lesson Objective: Students will be able to recognize the approaches people take in order to make changes within their community. Then, students will be able to identify a change they would like to work towards.

Respective Lesson: After reading Sofia Valdez, Future Prez and hearing how Sofia made a difference in her community, have students reflect on times they have seen someone making a difference in their community. Then, as a class brainstorm and discuss ways that children can make changes in their community! Finally, have students identify and commit to a difference they would like to make - whether that difference is picking up trash, helping a younger student, giving thank you notes to those they appreciate, etc. The opportunities are endless!

Standard Benchmark: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

Lesson Objective: Students will be able to communicate and defend (in writing) an opinion they have about a change that they believe should be made within their community.

Respective Lesson: Sofia Valdez believed in a change that should occur and then initiated that change in her community! What is a change your students think should be made in their school or community? Have them write about and defend their opinion.

How could you take this further? By having students share their opinion piece with the principal or city hall! This would allow students to inform and persuade others about their ideas and opinions!

In Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, a landfill takes over a large area in the community. Use this book as a transition into talking about the environment! Take the time to talk to students about where their trash goes and ways that we as humans can be less wasteful. Then, along with students, help the environment in your community by picking up trash!

Within the book, Sofia visits City Hall. She visits many offices within the building and even meets the Mayor!

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Now it's your students turn! After reading Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, it is the perfect time to take a field trip to the city hall in your town! This field trip will open students’ eyes and allow them to learn the answers to questions like:

What happens at a city hall?

Who works at a city hall?

What decisions are made at a city hall?

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Maybe, just maybe, your students will be able to meet the mayor of your city, just like Sofia Valdez did!

Sofia Valdez is all about helping the members of her community. What are ways you and your students can help the members of your community? By making cards! Whether for patients in the hospital, senior citizens living at the nursing home, or for someone you'd like to thank – sharing positive words can make a big difference in someone’s life!