YOED 6020. July 2, 2011. Erin Cathey. Writing Prompt for “The Circuit” by
Francisco Jimenez. Based on a true story, the historical fictionalized novel, “The.
YOED 6020
July 2, 2011
Erin Cathey
Writing Prompt for “The Circuit” by Francisco Jimenez
Based on a true story, the historical fictionalized novel, “The Circuit,” by Francisco Jimenez is a story about a young boy who immigrates to Southern California from Mexico in the 1940s with his parents and his older brother, Roberto. Panchito (Francisco) ends up being the second born of six children after the family moves to the United States. He tells about the family’s struggles to survive as poor migrant workers as they move between dilapidated tent labor camps and shacks in search of seasonal crop-picking work. Panchito’s determination to have a shot at success in his future drives him to pursue his education regardless of the challenges that he must face as an illegal immigrant from Mexico. The story will transplant you to another time as you grow with Panchito and truly comprehend the reality of his experiences. This book is recommended for 5-10 grade ESL students with an intermediate - higher level of English proficiency.
“The Circuit; Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child” By Francisco Jimenez
Grade Level: 5th-9th grades Language Proficiency Level: Intermediate - Advanced Strategy: Story Mapping, Vocabulary, Cognitive Mapping, and Writing Literature Selection: “The Circuit; Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child” Author: Francisco Jimenez Date & Publisher: (1997) University of New Mexico Skills: 1. Story Mapping – focusing on map location, characters, plot, and setting 2. Vocabulary – Content related 3. Cognitive Mapping - setting details 4. Writing – reflective writing using writing prompt Materials: Novel- “The Circuit” Student Journals Writing Prompt Map of Southwest U.S. and Mexico Character and Setting Chart Instructional Procedures: Set: The teacher will use a map to show students where the different story settings are located. Students will continue to follow the family’s journeys on the map as they process through the book to show where the family moves each time. Shared Reading: The students will take turns reading the story aloud and will engage in discussion about new vocabulary terms and plot and setting development in the story. Modeled Activities: The students will fill in the setting and character development chart in pairs as they progress through the reading of the book. Writing Reflections: The teacher may choose to introduce the writing prompts after select chapters for reflection to be written into student journals. Otherwise the teacher can assign all of the writing prompts after the students finish reading the book. Ultimately, the entries will then be compiled into individual student autobiographies.
“The Circuit,” by Francisco Jimenez is a fictionalized autobiographical sketch of the life of Francisco Jimenez. Everyone has a story to tell. Imagine that you are writing your own story for others to read. Answer the following questions about yourself using as much detail as possible. 1. Panchito didn’t speak English when he first started school. Tell about your first day at school. _________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2. In chapter 5, “El Angel del Oro,” Panchito tries to save the little gray fish that were trapped in the puddles after the big rain. He talks about making a difference in another’s life. Write about a time that you made a difference in someone else’s life or maybe when someone else made a difference in your life. ____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 3. In chapter seven, Panchito tells the story about his pet parrot. Tell a story about a pet you used to have. _____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 4. In “To Have and to Hold,” Panchito tells about his librito and his coin collection, the only two things that he owned. Write about something you own that means a lot to you. Why do you like it so much? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Now you have the beginning of your own autobiographical story.
References: Jimenez, F. (1997). The circuit: stories from the life of a migrant child. Albuquerque, NM: Univ. of New Mexico Press.
MTSU Honor Statement This assignment/assessment was solely written by me. In no way have I plagiarized (represented the work of another as my own) or otherwise violated the copyright laws and academic conventions of fair use. I know that violations of this policy may result in my being dismissed from Middle Tennessee State University and/or appropriate legal action being taken against me. Signed: Erin B. Cathey
