The Circuit

30 comments:

  1. The metaphor we talked about was about Francisco and Miguelito, being the goldfish and the little gray fish. Miguelito the gold bigger goldfish, and Francisco the little gray fish. I think this because yellow or gold (the color of the goldfish) is a color that symbolizes happiness and Miguelito made Francisco happy and laugh. When Miguelito, left Francisco was very sad. I think this metaphor was symbolizing friendship. When It was raining Francisco's family felt trapped/stranded because they couldn't work, this is like the fish trapped in the puddles.

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  2. Okay, this is on the chapter "miracle in tent city", what disease do you think Torito had? Do you think we could research the symptoms to find out?

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  4. I think it is weird that all the sudden the Francisco says their is 2 sisters

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  5. Who is Tilcari Nailux...and You switched the topic to the "rare disease" so no it is not off topic.

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  6. in miracle in tent city I think it is sad that the bird died.
    I never thought the dad would do that!
    why did the dad do that.
    where did Miguelito go.

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  7. What? What bird? What are you talking about?

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  8. I am disappointed that I will not be at school tomorrow morning to join the book club conversation.

    Christmas Gift- I noticed in this chapter, the family was struggling. On page 51, "…food in the trash behind grocery stores. …Mama sliced off the the rotten parts and made soup…"
    I wonder why Jimenez titled the chapter Christmas Gift? Think about the gifts given.
    At holidays at my home the noise level rises. What kind sounds do you "hear" in your mind as you read about Francisco Christmas and why? How does Francisco share his experience of this Christmas? Why do you think he chose this particular Christmas experience?

    Death Forgiven- This chapter has a strong text-to-self connection for me. As I shared with you, we had many unusual pets when growing up. There were also some tense times for my father as he switched work for health reasons. Francisco prays for the parrot and then his father. Why his father?
    As a clue in the chapter, how does it help us understand how he feels about his fathers action? Did you notice others?

    If you meet as a group on Wednesday, you might want to reread this chapter, Death Forgiven, together.

    Cotton Sack- In this chapter, I noticed the focus on Papa. I wonder why Francisco is still so determined to work in the cotton fields. Every time he tries, it seems to be an unpleasant experience at best. Why is the chapter named cotton sack? Where in the chapter is the cotton sack mentioned? Think about the cotton sack and each family member. Jot down questions, connections, and reactions.

    I look forward to our book club conversation on Friday!


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    1. I think he titled it Christmas gift because he does get gifts, but maybe some of them aren't necessarily GOOD gifts. I think he chose this Christmas because maybe he thought he was going to get some gifts because of all the work his family is doing, but then he didn't get what he wanted to get. I also thought it was interesting how, if anyone else noticed his, he expressed that he traded some money for that handkerchief with those people.

      I think he prayed for his father because he thinks maybe his father is going through some hard times, money related, and after what he saw when his father killed the parrot, it just showed that his father was probably very stressed. I think it helps us understand his fathers actions because if he was just very calm and peaceful, it would show that he isn't bothered by anything.

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    3. To answer your first question Diane, I here the sound a knife being brought down on a cutting board. I don't know exactly why, but it probably has to do with the passage that you mentioned about Mama cooking.

      I think that for Francisco it was an emotional experience, if you want something and don't get you tend to be disappointed. From the evidence in this passage (When I heard Papa say, "we're broke here (Unfinished thought)

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  9. I thought it was good how Gabriel stood up to the Diaz.
    I think the chapter name "The Circuit" is supposed to mean how Francisco switches from strawberry picking to cotton to grapes.
    Why did Diaz turn pale?
    Where did Diaz go?
    Did Diaz leave forever from the book?

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  10. I thought the two chapters we just read ( The Circuit, Learning The Game) My questions were: 1. on p74, Francisco said, I lay in bed thinking about how much I hate this movie. I was wondering what movie. 2. On p74 also it said, shortly the barking of the dog accompanied them. When did they get dogs? 3. On p86, it said, I saw Manuelito standing by one of the garbage cans. Isn't Manuelito the one that diapered? Or is it another Manuelito? 3. On p89 it said, There is a man named Don Gabriel. Then at lunch. Don Gabriel called Papa Don Pancho. Is it just a Mexican name that frinds call eachother, or do they have the same name? Those were all my questions.

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    1. His other friend's name was Miguelito. I thought the same thing though, until i checked

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  11. I agree with leafland. We met Diane, and we decided to read The Circuit and Learning the Game.

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  12. In the chapter Learning the game Francisco is in 7th grade and if he was 5-6 in 1st grade, he is around 11 or 12 now, maybe 13.

    Oh and to answer your question R.H.457, I think that Pancho is his name, but Panchito at least in Argentinian Spanish, means hot dog...

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  13. In the chapter "Learning the Game" I thought it was very cool how Francisco stood up for Manuelito against someone older and stronger.

    I think that Gabriel had an impact on Francisco because Gabriel stood up for his dignity when he was being treated badly, and Francisco stood up for his friend, when Carlos wouldn't led him play kick the can with them

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    1. Curious, why did the author name this chapter, Learning the Game? What game is he talking about? Was standing up for his friend part of learning the game? How? Looking forward to exploring this more!

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  14. I changed my profile, so I have a different name now, just btw.

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  15. I think Francisco is sad in the chapter we read because, every time he gets familiar with a new place and new friends he has to move again. Why do you guys think he was sad in "the Circuit" chapter we read?

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    1. What was happening when you noticed him feeling sad. Try to find the events, and ask how is Francisco experiencing this event? How do I know? Text evidence.

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  16. SUCH A CLIFF HANGER

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    1. I know!! I can't wait until we read the second book!

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  17. some good objects for the I am from poem for francisco is the kerosene stove and the pennys and the note book and the cotton sacks

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  18. Does anyone know if if Dian created a Bad Boy blog?

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    1. I just did. It is listed as Bad Boy, Diane's Group

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