Sabrina
1/7/2014 07:12:17 am
I really enjoyed reading the Circuit in class today, because I felt it was an accurate portrayal of what was happening during this time but the book is also written in a user friendly, easy to read manner. I especially enjoyed how the writer drew a parallel between the caterpillar and Francisco. His first day of school, Francisco notices the caterpillar who has yet to form a Chrysalis and become a butterfly. As we read, the first few days or weeks of school are tough and Francisco is not feeling the most confident. A few pages later, we see that the caterpillar turned into a butterfly, Francisco's drawing got a blue ribbon and he began to pick up a few words of English. We really saw how positive an outlook Francisco had on an honestly bleak situation, and how he emerged in a sense victorious, overcoming the obstacles in his way.
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Justin Walker
1/7/2014 08:09:58 am
Your accurate statement towards the caterpillar and Francisco's school days conveys a greater understanding and comprehension of the reading. Good job!
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Malia
1/7/2014 08:54:12 am
Great job picking up on that symbolism!
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Carly
1/7/2014 09:42:06 am
Wow, I never thought of that, but it is totally accurate.
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Ysabella Dawson
1/7/2014 10:04:08 am
I didn't pick up on that symbolism between the caterpillar and Francisco. I think you have a very thorough reflection, and I liked that you elaborated on your findings on the caterpillar.
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Sophia Kormanik
1/7/2014 01:07:22 pm
I love your symbolism it opened my eyes in a new way
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Justin Walker
1/7/2014 08:08:28 am
The Circuit reading was very interesting from both a historical and personal perspective. It explored the childhood years of Francisco and his struggle through daily life. His actual character seems somewhat idealized; I hardly know of any children as nice as he was when so young. For example, he spends hours trying to save fish from suffocation after the rains end, even going so far as to give the last one to his neighbors, who put it in their goldfish tank. He gives his first prize drawing to the child who bullied him as a means of making amends and takes great interest in the caterpillar, which seems to form an allegory for his first year of school due to having a rough start but eventually becoming something beautiful. His depicted life does not lack disappointment though; the reading about him failing to receive his own soccer ball on Christmas allowed for a greater connection between the reader and the book; everyone's been disappointed over something in their life.
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Malia
1/7/2014 08:56:29 am
Great post! I agree it was an interesting read. The main character actually was the author. This story is autobiographical so it is interesting that you feel he was idealized.
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Sabrina
1/7/2014 09:28:52 am
Nice! I like how you picked up his joy in giving to others and how he is very unselfish.
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Sophia C.
1/7/2014 10:04:38 am
I think that he could have actually been that nice, I've met some amazingly nice little kids like that before, it really is amazing!
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Cole Sargent
1/8/2014 12:59:36 pm
I agree with you in that the disappointment about the soccer ball made the story more realistic, but I'm pretty sure there are lots of kids like Francisco that are needlessly nice.
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Brianna Barboza
1/7/2014 08:26:42 am
Think: Reading this story made me think specifically about "Dairy of a Part-Time Indian", mainly because the narrator came from a poor place and did a bit of dangerous activities to keep himself entertained. Junior from "Part-Time Indian" usually kept himself entertained by hanging out with his rebel friend and causing ruckus around their town; while Francisco, at one point, associated himself with playing on train tracks, usually when it was about to arrive.
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Malia
1/7/2014 08:53:13 am
"I did not see the jacket again. Curtis got it but I never saw him wear it."
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Carly
1/7/2014 09:15:39 am
I really like the quote you chose, as it struck me as well. You pretty much illustrated exactly what I was thinking when I read that scene.
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Sabrina
1/7/2014 09:27:35 am
Wow, nice job. I thought the same about the quote and how sometimes we forget how fortunate we really are.
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Sarah Hardin
1/7/2014 10:18:52 am
I was thinking the same thing when reading this part! Poor Francisco! Your paragraph was beautifully worded and very insightful:)
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Gage
1/7/2014 11:44:26 am
Excellent post, Malia! It is great how you found meaningful insights of life through the text.
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Anthony Williams
1/7/2014 09:35:03 am
These chapters so far had made me think as to how hard it really was for immigrants during that time. I guess that I had never actually given thought into how rough the life of an immigrant really could be. It made me wonder of all of the hardships that they had went through in order for a better life for them and their families.
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Carly
1/7/2014 09:40:41 am
"I filled it with water and began picking up the dying fish from mud puddles, putting them in the can, and dumping them in the creek."
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Ysabella Dawson
1/7/2014 09:59:31 am
I also thought that part of the story was very interesting and precious, because you're right. Not many people would take the time out of their day and save the lives of the tiny fish that found themselves in shallow water. It also says a lot about Francisco's character.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
1/7/2014 10:29:24 am
Great post, it's interesting think about Fransisco's low position in society may contribute to his kindness and instinct to look out for others.
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Andrew Ledezma
1/7/2014 11:56:30 am
Great paragraph. It was very thoughtful and I love how you said it put a smile on your face! Great Job!
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Rachel Maristela
1/7/2014 11:58:40 am
This quote made me smile too! I love the way how Francisco cared for the fish despite its condition. Very touching. c':
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Rachel Deaton
1/7/2014 02:20:02 pm
I, too, was very happy when he helped out the fish. Even though he didn't save them all, he made a difference. He is such a sweet boy.
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Ysabella Dawson
1/7/2014 09:55:17 am
“When I got tired of listening to the same stories told many times before, I watched our neighbor’s goldfish. From our window I could see into the next cabin where a fishbowl sat on a small table. I spent hours glued to our window, watching the goldfish glide in slow motion, stirring the jade green plants with its delicate fins.”
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Sophia C.
1/7/2014 10:02:27 am
Wow, I didn't even think of it that way! I'm not sure I could watch the fish for hours, but I'm pretty sure i could entertain myself that way for a while.
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Sarah Hardin
1/7/2014 10:15:54 am
That's a really good point! I love how in this time period, people were able to find little things to entertain themselves when there was nothing to do. Francisco's fascination with this fish is actually kind of cool. Most kids nowadays don't have the attention span to watch a video longer than a vine! He could stare at that fish for hours and be completely content. Francisco is kind of my favorite.
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Crystal
1/7/2014 10:42:12 am
I really like the way you kept in mind that Francisco is just that, a child. It's easy to forget you're reading from the perspective of such a young boy. Your analysis really makes sense! :)
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Quentin Jackson
1/7/2014 02:27:19 pm
I quite like the entire stories focus on a young child- at least for now. It is exhilarating and interesting to hear a story from such an unexpected source, similar to how I felt with to kill a mockingbird.
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Sophia C.
1/7/2014 10:00:27 am
When I began reading this book, the simple sentences annoyed me a bit, but as I continued, I started to feel that even though the book doesn't have complicated phrasing and that sort of thing, it's still an interesting and meaningful thing to read. It made me think of how lucky I am and how much I take for granted and also how much luck is involved in getting to where you want to be. All of the characters, even though they are in a terrible situation, are kind and respectful to others, whether they are in a similar, worse, or even better situation. I suppose it makes me come to the conclusion that their hardships made them better people, to some though, it can make them worse.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
1/7/2014 10:23:47 am
I like how honest you were about not necessarily liking the text, but that you were still able to find meaning in it as you continued to read.
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Salina
1/7/2014 03:21:02 pm
I like that you kept reading it and found this great meaning. I agree that the hardships you go through can shape you into a better person.
Sarah Hardin
1/7/2014 10:12:38 am
"'It's yours,' I repeated, handing the drawing to Curtis." I don't know about you, but that was just about the cutest thing I've ever read. I think this just about sums up integrity! Curtis seems to be the last person Francisco would want to be nice to after the whole jacket situation. I would completely understand if Francisco tried to avoid Curtis! But no, Francisco out of nowhere decided to give away his prized drawing, just because Curtis said he liked it. Good job, little Francisco! I think he did this because was happy to be acknowledged in a positive way. The way I see it is that Francisco is kind of in another world when he's at school because he can't understand english. His art is a way for him to break through those barriers because anyone can appreciate art! Maybe there's a budding friendship in store for these boys!
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Crystal
1/7/2014 10:39:54 am
Really great HOHAM reflection of that quote. It seems like Franciso and Curtis may not have the most prominant and tight friendship, but they;re closer than being just classmates. :)
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Rachel Maristela
1/7/2014 12:01:48 pm
I really like the HOHAM choice you made and the way how you explained how integrity shows in the quote. Great HOHAM paragraph!
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Cole Sargent
1/8/2014 01:02:33 pm
Yup, I also thought his actions were pretty telling of integrity--he chose to make the right choice even though Curtis practically beat him up. Great reflection!
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Crystal Delgado
1/7/2014 10:38:31 am
"That night, and every night for an entire year, we all prayed to el Santo Nino de Atocha as we followed the crops from place to place. During that time, Mama dressed Torito in the blue cloak and only took it off when it needed to be washed." (43)
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Justin Walker
1/7/2014 01:38:44 pm
Excellent analysis about religious influence! It seems more likely that the role of Catholicism is amplified due to the author's Mexican heritage; there are far greater Catholic and religious roots in Mexican culture than anywhere else.
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Jackson Walker
1/7/2014 10:39:22 am
My reflection is on the last paragraph of page 56, where Francisco's family celebrates christmas morning. I chose to reflect on this part of the book not because it necessarily stuck out to me more than any other part of the book, but because I feel that it represents the lifestyle of Francisco and his family. Francisco really wanted to get a ball for christmas, as he told us earlier in the chapter, but he, nor his siblings, got one. Instead, they got bags of candy (which I am pretty sure is something they didn't appreciate as much). However, Francisco's father gave his mother the handkerchief that was offered to them by the poor couple looking for any money. What I took away from this chapter was that even though they were giving each other presents, Francisco's father was able to give to others as well. Instead of providing his kids with a play toy, he did a charitable act which I find noble. The gift was not only for his wife, but for those who were in need in the same way his own family is/was. This is not a surprising action from him- he is constantly working extremely hard to provide for his family, practicing selfless behavior, for example sacrificing his own lunch time so that he can work more. He provides a great role model for Francisco and his siblings. What I really like about that is, thinking empathetically, how opposite he is from the mexican stereotype, and he always puts family first. People like him make me happy to be a human.
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Gage
1/7/2014 11:40:27 am
Very nice analysis, Jack. I enjoyed your observations on the Christmas gift scenario in relation to the father's character.
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Andrew Ledezma
1/7/2014 11:54:41 am
I really like the paragraph and I completely agree. I think that Franciso's father was very noble in his giving nature. Great job!
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Quentin Jackson
1/7/2014 02:30:56 pm
I agree completely about the opposite of the stereotype. It has always intrigued me, the fact that pretty much all of our stereotypes are the opposite of what the people we are using them on feel. In regards to the mexican stereotype, there are many people who are smart, resourceful and not at all lazy. its just always surprised me how they talked of it.
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Katie
1/7/2014 10:48:50 am
Feel: While reading 'The Circuit' one feels many emotions not the least of which is sympathy. The honesty with which the book is written allows the reader to truly feel what the narrator is feeling. Every thing that goes incredibly wrong or miraculously right is felt by the reader. The emotion displayed by the author while being very simple because of his age at the time is also incredible impactful. So far 'The Circuit' has been a very interesting and emotion evoking read that I hope to continue.
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Katie
1/7/2014 10:54:50 am
(sorry it posted before I was done)
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Rilind
1/7/2014 11:32:00 am
I really enjoyed reading the circuit. It showed me such an interesting perspective that I've never thought of. I feel like it kind of connects to corra de la vida, however it's a bad thing that they don't know much english in the book. It's pretty sad that kids had to unwillingly go through all this at such a young age, and a lot people here think that growing up in a good house and going to a good school is an automatically deserved thing, but we should appreciate it more. This was a great read!
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Karen
1/7/2014 05:28:59 pm
Wouldve been nice to have seen a quote, but I really liked how you talked about how it made you feel.
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Gage
1/7/2014 11:36:51 am
"When I got tired of listening to the same stories told many time before, I watched our neighbor's goldfish. From our window I could see into the next cabin where a fishbowl sat on a small table." (Jiménez, 45)
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Lance Shuler
1/7/2014 11:38:12 am
"English, English, she replied."
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Max Klein
1/7/2014 11:44:36 am
For many of us something as simple as a jacket could mean very little, we might even feel slightly entitled to such luxuries. However, when Francisco received that green jacket from his teacher, he was thankful, for once in his life he felt the same way all the other kids in his class felt, warm. But to have something stripped away so quickly seems horribly unfair, an unfairness that I know immigrants from all over the world face in America on a day to day basis. I don't know what it is like to struggle for the food on my table, but there are people in America that do, and that isn't fair in the slightest bit. Reading books like "The Circuit" help open readers eyes to the issues taking place so close to their homes, empowering them to do something about them.
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Alex Demos
1/7/2014 12:35:28 pm
I felt the same way when I read this part of the book. He was able to take so much from so little. Unfortunately, he had that part of him stripped away when Curtis took it back from him. Luckily he earned respect from Curtis after the picture he made for the class.
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Andrew Ledezma
1/7/2014 11:52:54 am
"I did not see the jacket again. Curtis got it but I never saw him wear it."
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Rachel Maristela
1/7/2014 11:54:10 am
"That evening I looked through the window into our neighbor's cabin. The goldfish swam peacefully alongside the gray fish." pg. 50
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Trey Lewis
1/7/2014 02:32:22 pm
I would totally agree! I had the same thought on the symbolism of the goldfish.
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Casper Norrman Rasmussen
1/7/2014 12:00:36 pm
this reading really made me feel, with how much people are taking forgiven, we see it as normal to have food on the table everyday, and there comes clean water out of the faucet, it just give you a feeling when the text describe it in such detail, so that it nearly feel like your are the character, and can feel the way he is feeling when it get described just as much so it feel like you are standing in his shoes.
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Paris Gramann
1/7/2014 01:06:22 pm
Casper, I feel the same way! The way that Francisco accepts things is amazing to me. I think that people know what they have grown up in and unfortunately he had to grow up in that environment.
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Paris Gramann
1/7/2014 01:06:58 pm
Oh and I think that the lower your starting place, the more you appreciate life.
Tyler Felix
1/7/2014 12:04:49 pm
I think that Fransisco's success in drawing a butterfly in school and winning a 1st place ribbon really boosted his confidence for the future. He no longer feels like an outcast, and realizes that he does have the potential to be successful alongside of his classmates. I also feel as if Fransisco's peers have more respect for him and will maybe try to put an effort into being his friend. I just wonder why he has such a facination for catipilars, butterflies, and goldfish? What does he find fascinating about the insects/ animals to the point where he can spend all day admiring what they do?
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Julz Valencia
1/7/2014 01:38:18 pm
I too am curious about his fascination for these creatures. For future analysis you may want to include a quote.
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Sarah Olson
1/7/2014 12:14:39 pm
"'It's yours,' I repeated, handing the drawing to Curtis."
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Vivian Mason
1/7/2014 01:21:44 pm
I like the piece you responded too and what you said about Francisco giving his drawing. Next time, maybe, try expanding more on the self connection you made :)
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Rachel Deaton
1/7/2014 02:20:59 pm
I completely agree with you Sarah. He gives so much, even though he has so little.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
1/7/2014 12:20:08 pm
"Shaking his head, Papa replied sympathetically, 'I am sorry paisano, but were broke too.' "
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Alex Demos
1/7/2014 12:32:39 pm
I found the beginning of this book very interesting to read, for it portrayed an accurate representation of what life was like for those who had immigrated from Mexico to America looking for jobs to keep their family thriving. I thought it was hard to believe how the narrator would find so much joy in living the life he has with his family. I also thought it was amazing how he would adapt to certain situations, for example when he was starting school in first grade he would watch the teachers actions and learn to analyze them into words of his language, and respond the best he could. He also found small ways of entertainment that kept him busy when his family was working, like fishing with his homemade fishing pole and taking care of his little siblings. I found it a little surprising that the narrator's parents keep deciding to have children, because the more children they have, the more expensive the entirety of the family becomes. Unless each child was an accident, I found that portion of the story a little strange.
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Grady Gumner
1/7/2014 01:50:13 pm
It's interesting how you observed Francisco's overall joy in his new life in California. Do you think maybe that just by living in a land of opportunity, where there was always hope, life would be more enjoyable than in Mexico?
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Meilani A
1/7/2014 12:37:31 pm
This story has been very interesting to listen through the lens of a child who has known nothing but poverty. When he first got a jacket, he loved it greatly, but when another child took it, he barely wore it. Material possessions are a rare thing to him and he was happy to get anything. His language barrier in education is an obstacle that seems to be a large part of the story and I wonder if it will continue to challenge him. Because of it, he was first ostracized, and I wonder if he will continue to be excluded.
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Paris Gramann
1/7/2014 12:57:40 pm
I agree! I enjoyed your vocabulary and in-depth thoughts. I think that he loved the jacket because it was something that he could call "his". Even when he was talking about the ball that he wanted for Christmas, he kept saying "my very own ball". I was also curious about his language barrier and how far it would harm him in his education.
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Ryan M
1/7/2014 12:45:50 pm
"I did not see the jacket again. Curtis got it but I never saw him wear it." I decided to choose this quote, because I personally thought that it was sad that Francisco's newly found jacket was taken away from the popular kid Curtis. From the little time that Francisco had the jacket it was obvious how much he loved it, because it was all that he had. I think in a certain sense that it was part of Curtis's jealousy that wrestled Francisco for the jacket, and that he never wore it again after that. Although if I were to see something that I'd lost long ago and saw someone wearing that thing, I would immediately want it back. So it's hard for me to say that Curtis did the wrong thing~
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Vivian Mason
1/7/2014 01:24:05 pm
I enjoyed how you put yourself in both pairs of shoes and gave your opinion on both sides. Well done! It is always interesting to see/read things from another persons perspective, especially one that is opposite your own.
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Hannah
1/7/2014 11:36:36 pm
I have to admit, I didn't even consider Curtis' feelings on the matter. I just pegged him the bag guy of the situation. I wouldn't have stopped to think of his perspective, very Interesting Ryan!( I agree with Vivian too.)
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Nico Melchior
1/7/2014 12:49:57 pm
Chapter:1
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Sophia Kormanik
1/7/2014 12:50:43 pm
Habits of Heart and Mind Analysis
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Paris Gramann
1/7/2014 12:54:21 pm
The author wrote this so simply, yet so beautifully. Through the eyes of a young child we get to see life's struggles as something unfortunate but real. Francisco doesn't understand the magnitude of the uncertainty of his daily existence, but instead finds the good in each situation he is thrown into. The most beautiful way to look at a bad thing is through a child's eyes because their world is almost like a smaller version of an adults, yet they worry about smaller things and focus on the good in life. Through Francisco, we get to see the struggles of immigrants -- the unfortunate truths.
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Julz Valencia
1/7/2014 01:34:08 pm
I completely agree with you on everything. They way the story is told so simply through the eyes of a child and yet it reveals actual struggles and issues that immigrants face. I love this analysis, however you may want to include a quote:)
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Lisa Valtierra
1/7/2014 02:39:06 pm
I love all the points that you brought up. Especially the last ones, it's so true how we take everything for granted and are never thankful for things that we get in our every day lives.
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Scott
1/7/2014 01:17:11 pm
"¿Como se dice 'es tuyo' en inglés?" I asked.
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Grady Gumner
1/7/2014 01:53:23 pm
I find your viewpoint on this quote to be very interesting. I chose to write about the same quote but looked at it from a different perspective. It's interesting how an interaction between two characters can be interpreted differently by two people.
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Julz Valencia
1/7/2014 01:30:21 pm
"'I have something to tell you,' Mamá said teary-eyed as she took off his cloak. 'When we took Torito to the hospital, the doctor told us my son would die because we had waited too long to take him there. He said it would take a miracle for him to live. I didn't want to believe him,' she continued, gaining strength as she talked. 'But he was right. It took a miracle.'" pgs. 43 & 44
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1/7/2014 01:38:57 pm
When reading this book in class, it made me think how blesses I am to have the things that I have, a house with warm water, food, clothes..etc. And back then it looks like they were lucky to even be working. This opened up my eyes more when it was through the lens of a children who didn't speak any english and tried his hardest to understand. To me this would be the most difficult thing to do. Also when he tried pushing himself to understand the book about butterflies and caterpillars was amazing. To me I would be very frustrated. I don't think I could ever imagine what life would be like if it was like that now.
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Grady Gumner
1/7/2014 01:47:08 pm
"'¿Cómo se dice 'es tuyo' en inglés?' I asked.
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Trey Lewis
1/7/2014 02:29:57 pm
I liked this part too. I felt almost like Francisco didn't understand the culture and how being treated poorly is not a good thing.
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Hayes Sherr
1/7/2014 03:36:03 pm
I chose the same quote and I agree, Francisco has nothing but still manages to give Curtis his drawing. Strong person!
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Vivian Mason
1/7/2014 02:09:50 pm
"They to had received a bag of candy. Searching for words to tell Mama how I felt, I looked up at her. Her eyes were full of tears." (pg. 56)
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Rachel Deaton
1/7/2014 02:18:24 pm
I agree with you Vivian. I was upset that they wanted more. But then again, they can dream right?
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Rachel Deaton
1/7/2014 02:17:22 pm
"As she began to wrap the gifts, silent tears ran down her cheeks."
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Jessica B
1/7/2014 11:26:25 pm
This is a very true and very sad observation and analysis. It's true though, I think everyone is able to feel some kind of empathy for this family throughout the book.
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Jordan Garcia
1/7/2014 02:21:34 pm
" Papa tried to pry open Torito's mouth but could not. His Jaws were locked. Mama picked him up from the box and held him tightly against her chest." Please God, don't take him away please," Mama repeated over and over again. Torito slowly began to breath. His arms and legs relaxedI could see the brown color of his eyes again.
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Trevin Kraus
1/7/2014 03:38:23 pm
I also wonder about whether or not they will be caught for their illegal actions. Keep in mind this is a different time period maybe laws were not as enforced as they are now.
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Quentin Jackson
1/7/2014 02:24:49 pm
"The shells sharp prongs scratched my hands like cat claws, and, sometimes, dug into the corner of my fingernails and made them bleed"
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Trey Lewis
1/7/2014 02:27:21 pm
"If I learn to pick cotton, Papi will let me go with him, Mama, and Roberto, and I won't be left alone anymore!"
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Lisa Valtierra
1/7/2014 02:41:10 pm
I liked the connection that you did and how you related it to, not only yourself, but other people that have siblings as well.
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John E.
1/7/2014 02:34:01 pm
"Besides lumber, I collected books, hoping to read them once I learned how." (pg. 30)
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Lisa Valtierra
1/7/2014 02:36:48 pm
I couldn't really choose a quote after reading the few chapters. The whole time, I thought that there was going to be something that brought some light into the families life. It seems like every time they were close to happiness something had to come in ruin it. I found it quite saddening how there was so much tragedy, especially because this is based off a true story.
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Salina
1/7/2014 03:19:09 pm
I feel the same way Lisa, I really hope good times are coming their way.
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Jessica B
1/7/2014 11:29:13 pm
Don't despair Lisa! We are still only a few chapters into the book, and, unfortunately, problems can't always solve themselves so quickly! However, there is always the possibility that things will always be bad for them. I suppose it's a glass half full/empty situation with this supposition.
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Salina Brice
1/7/2014 03:17:29 pm
"English, English." She repeated. pg.20
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Hayes Sherr
1/7/2014 03:32:00 pm
I agree, we have it easy. Francisco has to learn the hard way and try to learn it himself.
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Hayes Sherr
1/7/2014 03:28:53 pm
"¿Cómo se dice 'es tuyo' en inglés?' I asked.
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Trevin Kraus
1/7/2014 03:32:44 pm
I think that most of us take a lot for advantage especially the little things in life. In this story Francisco comes from nothing in his home country of Mexico and begins a new life in California. They make the long journey out of there home town and across the boarder into California. Upon arrival in California Papi did not immediately receive a job like he was promised. When a job finally arose it l was not easy and required long, tiring days for not only him but his whole family. However, despite the hard work and little short time payoff, Francisco and his family realize that the long term payoff will be worth it at the end.
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Hank Sherr
1/7/2014 03:38:21 pm
I like the whole way the story has kind of started, just like how everybody want a better life. So they come to California looking for jobs a better place to stay, and school for the kids. I like how determined Francisco is to learn English and pick cotton like the rest of his family, even though he sits in class every day trying to pick it up.
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Ryan Novak
1/7/2014 04:28:21 pm
"'It's yours,' I repeated, handing the drawing to Curtis."
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John Laine
1/7/2014 05:14:53 pm
"'It's yours,' I repeated, handing the drawing to Curtis."
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Karen
1/7/2014 05:28:09 pm
I really liked the quote you used, and how you connected it with yourself.
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Parmida Z
1/7/2014 05:16:49 pm
"Papa, who was sitting next to her on the mattress, lifted it's corner and pulled out from underneath the white embroidered handkerchief. He tenderly handed it to mama, saying 'Feliz Navidad, vieja.'"
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Abby Thompson
1/7/2014 05:25:03 pm
"He really likes it, Francisco." Arthur said to me in Spanish.
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Karen B
1/7/2014 05:27:31 pm
"I did not mind moving too much for the third time that year"
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Chris dang
1/7/2014 08:37:19 pm
"Like magic a butterfly flew into the air, fluttering its wings up and down."
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Chelsea
1/7/2014 10:45:54 pm
"But we don't have any money," Mamá responded, sobbing and looking sadly at Torito.
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Tess Herzog
1/7/2014 11:08:53 pm
"'Is he dead?' I cried out. 'No, Panchito; calm down' Papa answered. 'We left him at the hospital.' 'Is he going... to die?' I stammered. 'No, he isn't,' Mama snapped."
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Jessica Boensch
1/7/2014 11:24:36 pm
"The butcher must have known the bones were for us and not a dog because he left more and more of the pieces of meat on the bones each time Mama went back."
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Hannah O'Connell
1/7/2014 11:31:15 pm
This book so far has thrown a lot of situations at me that I have never experienced, and with them many quotes. There is a lot of shock in my case when he is in the class for the first time and even though he doesn't understand English, he is there and he is t really helped to understand The language. He has to got every day, and each day he doesn't understand. I feel like that would be the same as a person walking into a room full of monkeys. You can only guess what they are thinking of by their gestures and expressions.
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Halee Robinson
1/8/2014 12:11:47 am
"'¿Cómo se dice 'es tuyo' en Inglés?' I asked.
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Alura Polese
1/8/2014 12:27:59 am
I really enjoyed reading The Curciut in class, it made me think about all different situations people are put in. When Fransico was waiting for his parents at the cotton field he was left in the car alone with his little brother, and he forgot about his brother when he wanted to try to go pick cotton he got cuts and scrapes all on his hand and was bleeding, this made me think about how much he cares about working as a 6 year old and had such big responsibilities. I am very interested on what responsibilities and challenges Fransico wants to conquer
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Preston Royal
1/8/2014 01:33:15 am
After reading the first assigned section of the Circuit, I have mixed emotions on how I feel about the book. I think that this book really shows a different perspective on how other people deal with situations that are not like you. I relate this back to when Francisco was in school and didn't understand anything. I think that I take it for granted that I live in a nice place and go to a nice school. I feel that this book is a little confusing because I can't get a grip around the story line yet. As the book goes on, I will more than likely be more situated with the given story. I wonder how this book is going to end, but I can already predict an ending.
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Erik Salazar
1/8/2014 01:57:12 am
I feel a sadness for Francisco and hearing his hopes slowly disappear. When he first came to the US he believed that it was the place where anything can happen but soon learns that he does not belong. He still is a child and doesn't know of all the bad that happens to Mexicans but he still sees the bad when he is at school and with his family's struggles. He wants to help his family by learning to fish and try to help earn money. However, all that he cares and wants to help his growing siblings whom he must care for. It cannot change the disadvantage his family and he have by being of Mexican heritage in a prominently white culture.
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Jessica Pollock
1/8/2014 11:10:14 am
Something that surprised me so far in the Circuit is when Francisco was left in the car with his younger brother. This part surprised me because I felt the passion Francisco has to help his family when he went out on his own to try and pick cotton. Even though putting dirt clots in the cotton to make it heavier is sort of "cheating" he truly has the right set of mind to help out his family with money. So far I have picked up that Francisco truly wants to help out his family during these rough times.
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Cole Sargent
1/8/2014 12:56:47 pm
Significance: It really struck me that Francisco, unfamiliar with the other English-speaking students gave his prized possession--a drawing that won #1 in a contest--to the very kid that gave him a swollen upper lip and scratches on his left cheek (Curtis). The fact that he would show this much compassion to someone who only showed hate and malice towards him is telling of a strong individual. I can only hope that Francisco finds some kind of friendship in Curtis, perhaps he might even be able to learn some English from him, and Curtis some Spanish. Regardless, it'll be interesting to see how the story develops with this new character.
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Imagine you are Panchito and you write in a journal every day. Tonight’s journal entry is a paragraph about holding a trumpet in your hand for the first time and returning home in a fog of excitement to see packed boxes. Use evidence from the text in your journal entry.
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