Cesar Chavez: A Voice for Farm Workers — Reading Comprehension

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This reading passage introduces elementary students to Cesar Chavez and his work advocating for farm workers' rights. The content covers Chavez's early life, the founding of the National Farm Workers Association with Dolores Huerta, the famous Delano Grape Strike of 1965, and the five-year grape boycott. Students will learn about Chavez's commitment to non-violent protest methods and his famous motto '¡Sí, se puede!' (Yes, we can!). The passage is written at an appropriate reading level for grades 4-5 and includes 10 multiple choice questions to assess comprehension of key facts, events, and concepts related to Chavez's life and the farm workers' movement. Extension activities encourage students to connect personally with themes of justice, leadership, and peaceful activism.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Cesar Chavez was born on March 31, 1927, in Arizona. When he was young, his family lost their farm during the Great Depression. They had to move to California to find work picking fruits and vegetables on other people's farms. This was very hard work. Farm workers had to work long hours in the hot sun. They were paid very little money, and many lived in poor conditions.

As Cesar grew up, he noticed how unfairly farm workers were treated. Many didn't have clean water to drink in the fields. They didn't have bathrooms to use. Some workers got sick from dangerous chemicals used on the crops. Cesar decided he wanted to help change things.

In 1962, Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta started the National Farm Workers Association. This organization helped farm workers join together to ask for better treatment. They believed that by working together, farm workers could have more power to make changes.

One of Cesar's most famous actions was the Delano Grape Strike. In 1965, grape pickers in Delano, California, stopped working to protest unfair treatment. Cesar Chavez joined their strike. In 1966, he led a march of workers all the way from Delano to Sacramento—about 340 miles! This long march helped people across the country learn about the problems farm workers faced.

Cesar also asked people not to buy grapes. This was called a boycott. The grape boycott lasted for five years. Finally, in 1970, the grape growers agreed to give workers better pay and improved conditions.

Cesar Chavez believed in non-violence. This means he thought people should solve problems without fighting or hurting others. He once went 25 days without eating—called a hunger strike—to show his commitment to peaceful methods.

Cesar's motto was "¡Sí, se puede!" which means "Yes, we can!" in Spanish. He used these words to encourage people to keep working for change, even when it seemed difficult.

Today, we celebrate Cesar Chavez Day on March 31st, his birthday. We remember him as a brave leader who helped improve life for many farm workers and showed that ordinary people can make important changes when they work together.

Where was Cesar Chavez born?

CaliforniaMexicoArizonaTexas

Why did Cesar Chavez's family move to California?

They wanted to start a new farmThey lost their farm and needed workThey wanted to be closer to relativesThey wanted to start a workers' union

What organization did Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta start in 1962?

The Farm Workers UnionThe National Farm Workers AssociationThe Grape Pickers AssociationThe California Workers Group

What was the Delano Grape Strike?

A celebration of grape harvestingA contest to pick grapes the fastestWorkers stopping work to protest unfair treatmentA new method for growing grapes

How long was the march from Delano to Sacramento?

100 miles200 miles340 miles500 miles

What is a boycott?

A type of grapeA farming toolRefusing to buy certain productsA type of march

What does "non-violence" mean?

Solving problems without fighting or hurting othersWorking very slowlyNot talking to othersRefusing to work

What was Cesar Chavez's motto?

"Work hard, play hard""United we stand""¡Sí, se puede!""Freedom for all"

When do we celebrate Cesar Chavez Day?

January 1stMarch 31stJuly 4thDecember 25th

What is the MAIN reason we remember Cesar Chavez today?

Because he owned many farmsBecause he invented new farming toolsBecause he helped improve life for farm workersBecause he grew the most grapes in California