“ The Circuit” By: Francecisco Jiménez
- Francisco Jiménez was born in 1943 in San Pedro, Tlaquepaque, Mexico
- Currently a professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Santa Clara University
- Francisco was four years old when his family first migrated without papers to the San Joaquin Valley of California, hoping to leave behind forever their life of povertyQW1
- In 1997, his fictionalized memoir, The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child, was published
- In 2002 he was selected U.S. Professor of the Year by CASE and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and in 2009 he was awarded an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa,from the University of San Francisco
Describe the main problem that Panchito, the main character of “The Circuit,” faced.
He had 3 main problems the first problem was that he had to move to Fresno. The second problem was that work was more important then school for him. Third was that he was always moving. "The thought of having to move to Fresno and know what was in store forme there brought tears to my eyes." (p.24)
Compare how Panchito from “The Circuit” felt when he entered school to the time he had to leave.
When Panchito first entered school he was scared and nervous, but when it was time to go he felt alright and was not scared anymore. "When the bus stopped in front of he school, I felt very nervous. I looked out the bus window and saw boys and girls carrying books under their arms." (p.29)
A circuit means to travel from place to place and stopping at each place at a certain time. Why do you think the author titled the story, “The Circuit”?
I think that the author title the story "The Circuit" because Panchito and his family are kinda of like a circuit because they are always moving from place to place and always stopping. "I thought they were happy to see me, but when I opened the door to our shack, I saw that everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes." (p.31)
Picturing Perspective
Directions: After reading “The Circuit” by Francisco Jiménez, draw a picture of Panchito. Record evidence about Panchito’s feelings and thoughts about attending school in thought bubbles or bullet points. Then, record details about Panchito’s cultural background.
Answer: How did Panchito’s culture influence his perspective on attending school?
His culture influenced his perspective on attending school because he doesn't speak any English so it will make him hard to make friends
He had 3 main problems the first problem was that he had to move to Fresno. The second problem was that work was more important then school for him. Third was that he was always moving. "The thought of having to move to Fresno and know what was in store forme there brought tears to my eyes." (p.24)
Compare how Panchito from “The Circuit” felt when he entered school to the time he had to leave.
When Panchito first entered school he was scared and nervous, but when it was time to go he felt alright and was not scared anymore. "When the bus stopped in front of he school, I felt very nervous. I looked out the bus window and saw boys and girls carrying books under their arms." (p.29)
A circuit means to travel from place to place and stopping at each place at a certain time. Why do you think the author titled the story, “The Circuit”?
I think that the author title the story "The Circuit" because Panchito and his family are kinda of like a circuit because they are always moving from place to place and always stopping. "I thought they were happy to see me, but when I opened the door to our shack, I saw that everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes." (p.31)
Picturing Perspective
Directions: After reading “The Circuit” by Francisco Jiménez, draw a picture of Panchito. Record evidence about Panchito’s feelings and thoughts about attending school in thought bubbles or bullet points. Then, record details about Panchito’s cultural background.
Answer: How did Panchito’s culture influence his perspective on attending school?
His culture influenced his perspective on attending school because he doesn't speak any English so it will make him hard to make friends