Justin Walker
1/8/2014 08:17:25 am
This particular assortment of stories stuck with me in a far more traumatic manner than previously expected, primarily through the tale of El Perico. It documents Francisco's first experience with more meaningful death, since his previous encounters primarily dealt with suffocating fish. In this case, El Perico provided a source of entertainment and joy due to his friendly nature and Animal Planet-esque association with Catarina, a neighborhood cat. Unfortunately, this quirk is his downfall due to Francisco's father being irritable at the wrong time; he is smote from his perch, with an instantaneous fatality. The comparison between this unfortunate act and that of his new brother is far too likely to dismiss; it is believed that his affliction was an act of god and the parrot being struck down from above is rather similar. Something unfortunate happened to an innocent individual. The only difference was survival.
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Sophia C.
1/8/2014 09:12:40 am
I really agree with you, this section was definitely traumatic!
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Sabrina
1/8/2014 10:07:15 am
Nice connection between Francisco and his brother !
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Sarah Olson
1/8/2014 10:08:09 am
I agree, and this is a thoughtful reflection Justin. The comparison you made was interesting
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Carly
1/8/2014 10:10:56 am
Interesting comparison, you looked a lot more into this scene than I did.
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Brianna Barboza
1/8/2014 11:14:24 am
What a very reflective and thoughtful analysis you added here. It's most definitely interesting how you chose to connect both Francisco and his brother in the way you did.
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Cole Sargent
1/8/2014 01:22:53 pm
I thought that your comparison between affliction and the parrot being struck down was pretty interesting. Great analysis!
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Sophia C.
1/8/2014 09:11:21 am
This section of the book was even more saddening than the beginning. Starting off with a terrible story like the one about El Perico, about the parrot who became a part of the family only to be killed right in front of them. Then to end with the main character finally beginning to get into a normal school routine, starting to really learn English, and just about to learn the trumpet, only to come home one day to discover they were moving and he never be able to do what he was so looking forward to. Having lived in the same house my entire life I don't have any personal experience with moving, but the book really drives home the sadder aspects of the event.
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Sabrina
1/8/2014 10:06:18 am
I noticed the same, it's very unfortunate that he finally found some joy but then had to move yet again.
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Carly
1/8/2014 10:13:49 am
I agree that this section was more sad than the last. I was actually getting frustrated at this part, for the same reasons you were
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Ysabella Dawson
1/8/2014 10:19:48 am
I also thought that this section of the book was sad, especially the parrot and that he had to leave before he could learn to play an instrument.
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Sophia Kormanik
1/8/2014 10:43:07 am
I really liked how you just understood their perspective and your perspective
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Brianna Barboza
1/8/2014 11:17:30 am
I would have to second that opinion you have on the tragic tale this story tells. I too have lived in the same house all my life so I don't know the pain Francisco is experiencing either. But through this book, I believe all of us can come to understand what life was like as an immigrant.
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Hannah
1/8/2014 10:59:56 pm
I really have to agree with you here, I've never moved and this part made me feel bad for him even more, and if I knew what it felt like... It would probably be even more emotional.
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Anthony W.
1/8/2014 09:55:37 am
I feel as if these last few chapters gave more insight on how tough life as an immigrant really was, especially with having to move around all of the time looking for work. The story provides many details about how life was like and what experiences they had to go through. Although not heart-wrenchingly sad, one can see the hardships that immigrants had to face during this time, one such hardship being the constant moving as well as just starting into a regular, normal routine, only to have to move to find more work.
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Sarah Olson
1/8/2014 10:08:55 am
Nice reflection, I like the insight you had on immigrant life and its connection to Francisco's story
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Andrew Ledezma
1/8/2014 10:29:59 am
Nice analysis! I like how you felt sympathetic to the immigrant workers. Great job!
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Sophia C.
1/8/2014 10:31:47 am
While I did find this section quite sad (unlike you?), I do agree that this showed a better view of his life.
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Rachel Deaton
1/8/2014 12:35:37 pm
I agree with you, this book really shows how hard life is. :(
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Sabrina
1/8/2014 10:02:03 am
I was really struck by the view of Papa we see from Francisco's point of view. While the rain is pounding, he awakes many times to see Papa smoke and take is aspirin. I suppose that this is an indication to health problems perhaps in the future with Papa, a problem which would effect the whole family. Francisco's life has not been typical to child his age, and up until this point his biggest obstacle was moving around often and learning English. Now in just the span of a chapter, he feels the pain of the death of a loved one, and might be facing more economic troubles due to an illness. A chapter in the reading was named The Circut, reflecting the name of the book. I feel this fully but unfortunately describes Francisco's life: a continous cycle of work, moving and additional stress from family problems.
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Andrew Ledezma
1/8/2014 10:31:03 am
It makes me really sad that the father may die, but this is a great analysis!
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Rilind
1/8/2014 12:09:29 pm
Good analysis. I feel like he's almost only living to keep his family alive, and has no pleasure in life.
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Malia
1/8/2014 03:09:15 pm
Great post! I didn't quite understand the title but that is a really logical explanation.
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Carly
1/8/2014 10:09:46 am
"I thought they were happy to see me, but when I opened the door to our shack, I saw everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes."
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Ysabella Dawson
1/8/2014 10:17:49 am
I also thought that those parts of the book were a very interesting look at the life of a child who is constantly moving with the seasons. I thought it was so sad that his teacher was about to teach him how to play an instrument, and just before that would happen he had to leave.
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Sophia Kormanik
1/8/2014 10:45:04 am
I really like the quote you chose and the way you analyze the quote.
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Ysabella Dawson
1/8/2014 10:15:58 am
“Frustrated and disappointed, I walked over to Papa. He straightened up and looked down at me. Before I could say anything, he looked at Roberto, who bravely kept on picking, and told me to go over to the fire. I knew then I had not yet earned my own cotton sack.”
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Justin Walker
1/8/2014 10:27:32 am
Your post really illustrated the despair and severity of both situations depicted within the book. Good job!
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Cole Sargent
1/8/2014 01:23:59 pm
It also struck me when the whole family panicked because of the school bus. Great analysis!
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Vivian Mason
1/8/2014 01:47:28 pm
I really enjoyed the lengthy responses you gave and what said responses stated. :)
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Andrew Ledezma
1/8/2014 10:28:37 am
"I knew then that I wasn't ready to get my own sack."
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Rachel Deaton
1/8/2014 12:36:50 pm
Francisco is a very determined kid! I completely agree with everything you wrote. Great journal entry!
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Salina Brice
1/8/2014 01:31:36 pm
I like your reflection, I think that he is passionate and sincere.
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Malia
1/8/2014 03:10:39 pm
I agree that Francisco is perhaps a little naive. Certainly he has experienced a lot for his young age but I think the story would be more pessimistic and grittier from the parents point of view.
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Hannah
1/8/2014 11:20:01 pm
Your reflection took me by surprise, in a good way. My main focus revolved around his school work and then having to move, but your analysis brought something up I didn't even think about. Really cool!! Great job!
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Sarah Olson
1/8/2014 10:30:25 am
It struck me that Francisco has learned to accept loss because he's experienced it so much. He lost the friend who wanted to teach him how to fish. He lost El Perico when his father killed the bird. He isn't doing well in school although he tries his best. Yet somehow, in spite of all the trauma he is going through, Francisco remains optimistic and hopeful. Perhaps the innocent naivety of a child, but it is still inspiring.
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Julz Valencia
1/8/2014 11:36:56 am
I also find it rather fascinating that throughout all the hard times and loss that he experiences, he still seems to be looking on the bright side of things.
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Sophia Kormanik
1/8/2014 10:37:44 am
I chose "connection" for this reading response because I feel so bad for the main character. He was just starting to get used to his new life in California. He has been going to a school that he has to speak english when his first language is spanish and he is having a hard time fitting in. He comes home one day to find out that he is moving away and when I read that part I just thought that I could connect with that. When I was younger I was in a foster family and it was really hard to transition from not having a family one day, the next you do. It was hard at first trying to get along with six other kids but before you know it I felt like I fit in. I come home one day to my mom pulling me aside and handing me a stuffed animal saying "we can't take care of you anymore, but we love you with all our heart".
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Erik Salazar
1/8/2014 02:16:47 pm
I really like your connection that you made between Francisco's and your life
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Alex Demos
1/9/2014 12:15:30 pm
Great personal connection. You really found a way to connect the life the narrator is living to how you lived yours in the past. It was interesting to read the personal connection between you and the story.
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Jackson Walker
1/8/2014 10:40:46 am
My reflection is on the last part of this reading, page 71, the last paragraph. I think this hit me harder and really made me more disappointed than any other part of this reading. Throughout these chapters, Francisco was doing pretty well avoiding any kind of negativity, I feel like. He was striving to earn his fathers trust with his own bag, and worked very hard coming up to when he attended school, and when he finally went to school he took the initiative to learn. I think its very significant that he did this because it is something that will separate him from a life of manual labor- getting an education. I am pretty sure that I was smiling in real life when Mr. Lema offered to teach him at lunch, and then offered to teach him the trumpet. That was definitely a turning point for Francisco- at least until he went home. When he discovered the boxes all packed up, it was saddening because I could feel the joy drain from him. The way it was almost expected, that I had remembered in the back of my mind that his family never stayed in the same place for a long time, made it even worse. I hope things look up for poor Francisco!
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Gage Gamboa
1/8/2014 11:36:46 am
Great post, Jack. I agree that the delayed mentioning of negative events in Francisco's life, until the end of the chapter, made the event quite powerful.
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Karen Barragan
1/8/2014 10:47:54 am
I think there has been a point in everybody's life where they have tried to live up to someone else's expectations. For Francisco, it is not necessarily the expectation his dad has on him, but what he thinks his dad expects from him. Since francisco is their oldest child, he wants to be the man of the house when the dad is working. Although sometimes he can go overboard because he is not used to this new lifestyle in America. With el perico, when he found something he could relate to, and was gone, it was a symbol that nothing lasts forever.
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Lisa Valtierra
1/8/2014 03:10:10 pm
I really liked the last sentence "nothing lasts forever." I think that was one of the turning points for Francisco and I liked how you worded it.
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Tyler Felix
1/8/2014 10:58:50 am
After reading about Francisco finally getting a beneficial education in English, I actually felt proud of him. I was thinking that this would be a new beginning for him. But unfortunately, the sight of packed up boxes destroyed his chances of learning. Just as I thought he would get caught up in English, another thing prevents him from succeeding. Although, he still does have a chance to please his father in picking Cotton. I predict that eventually he will earn a bag just like his brothers.
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Paris Gramann
1/8/2014 12:58:18 pm
I totally agree! I was also happy to see that Francisco was able to speak more English. It is so unfortunate that he is finally paving his way in his education and music, but he can't pursue any of it.
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Rachel Maristela
1/8/2014 01:00:59 pm
I agree! Really sad, but maybe he might find a way to learn again? And I also agree with your prediction :)
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Jessica B
1/8/2014 02:58:01 pm
It could be that, now that he knows English, his life will become easier? Just a supposition!!
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Brianna Barboza
1/8/2014 11:11:36 am
Goodness gracious, it's the Jungle all over again! The second part of this story has a rather traumatic setting to it, as our beloved protagonist experiences yet another potential death after El Pericio dies right in front of Francisco. His father's constant abuse of smoking and taking aspirin is more than evident to show the man is experiencing fatal health issues and has the potential to die.
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Crystal
1/8/2014 04:43:49 pm
I really enjoy how you still kept your eye on the bigger picture rather than just the immediate events in the story. You really thought about the story as a whole. :)
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Gage Gamboa
1/8/2014 11:31:54 am
Throughout the story so far, nearly every time Francisco finds something that interests him or that he connects with it is abruptly stripped away from him. I wonder what effect this constant disappointment will have on his sense of optimism. Will he simply endure the hardships and find joy in the "little things" that he experiences, or will he eventually lose all hope and optimism at the hands of his hardships?
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Julz Valencia
1/8/2014 11:39:08 am
I too wonder what effect this could have on him.
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Hank Sherr
1/8/2014 04:33:31 pm
That's true, I wonder what will happen to him if he find it or not. I'm sure there will be something out there, he just has to find it.
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Alex Demos
1/9/2014 12:16:49 pm
I felt the same way. Every time something good comes into his life, it leaves or he leaves. Nothing seems to stick for him.
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Julz Valencia
1/8/2014 11:32:52 am
"That day I could hardly wait to tell Papá and Mamá the great news. As I got off the bus, my little brothers and sisters ran up to met me. They were yelling and screaming. I thought they were happy to see me, but when I opened the door to our shack, I saw everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes." Page 83
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Gage Gamboa
1/8/2014 11:48:13 am
Nice post, Julz. Very thoughtful and a nice amount of writing.
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Lance Shuler
1/8/2014 12:02:04 pm
"Please God, Don't take him away, please."
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Rilind
1/8/2014 12:08:14 pm
good job finding that connection!
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Rilind
1/8/2014 12:06:36 pm
I felt very sad while reading this. This child's life is so much worse than any of ours-There is the fact that he is constantly moving, is very tight on money. This forces him to be a man way too early, and robs him of any everlasting friendship he had potential for other than his family. Also, He had to go through the tragedy of his baby brother nearly dieing in front of him. I would feel so terrible if something bad every happened to my baby sister, and I can't imagine what that would be like at a young age. Not too long later, his dad kills his beloved pet parrot. I feel so bad for this kid, he has had so many unfortunate things happen to him throughout the book so far. I wish I could give him a better life.
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Rilind
1/8/2014 12:07:35 pm
I also thought it was interesting that their god was the only thing that gave them even the slightest bit of hope and was the only thing keeping them sane.
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Paris Gramann
1/8/2014 01:04:03 pm
I didn't even think about how he had to grow up much sooner than his peers. You are right on the nose with this! His thoughts are so true and pure and have a lot of depth -- he does not seem like a sixth grader at times -- more of a 25 year old! I also didn't think about their Saints as their sole way of hope. You picked up a lot of good info!
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Katie
1/8/2014 12:32:42 pm
While reading this part of the book I couldn't help but feel incredibly sad for all of the losses that Francisco had suffered. Though El Perico had a short time in the story I still became attached to the bird and was saddened by his sudden exit. The emotional connection to the family is seen full force in this section of the book, every hit they take is felt by the reader. In all honesty the part of the book that got me the most was at the end of the reading when Francisco is so excited at the prospect of learning something new and arrives home to see they will be leaving once again and the hope just drains out of him.
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Rachel Deaton
1/8/2014 12:34:54 pm
I got really attached to the bird as well! I was so angry at the dad!
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Rachel Deaton
1/8/2014 12:33:45 pm
"...I saw that everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes."
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Rachel Maristela
1/8/2014 01:03:48 pm
I felt the same way! Looks like I wasn't the only one xD. Hopefully Francisco and his family will find a way to be able to stay in one place and positive things will come. Hopefully. Great analysis!
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Rachel Maristela
1/8/2014 12:36:46 pm
So far, I feel like this part in The Circuit had way more downs than the beginning of the book. First off with El Perico, I thought it his friendship with Catarina the black cat was really cute, and the way how Francisco described that El Perico is like a member of the family. But then it all of the sudden, Francisco's father kills him and that made me feel really bad for Francisco. Secondly, I thought Francisco really did try to show his father that he deserves a cotton sack, but his father just couldn't see that he deserves one. The sad part was that Francisco just seemed like he wanted to help his family since he knew what they are going through. Lastly, when Francisco started sixth grade at a new school, he was able to ask his teacher Mr. Lema to help him with his English. Surprisingly he did, and they spent lunch hours practicing how to read and also encouraging Francisco to try something new: learn to play an instrument. This part was significant to me because Mr. Lema seems like he really is willing to help out Francisco and encouraging him to try something new, but sadly Francisco can't take the offer because when he came home, the wooden boxes were out again meaning his family is moving out to another place.
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Paris Gramann
1/8/2014 12:53:41 pm
"I had hear it in many corridos. "How would you like to learn how to play it?" he asked." ... "...I saw that everything we owned was neatly packed in cardboard boxes." pg. 83
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Salina Brice
1/8/2014 01:30:08 pm
I agree with your last part about unlimited potential, its a very good point to bring up. :)
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Vivian Mason
1/8/2014 01:45:48 pm
I liked how I could see a little bit of how sad this made you, in your writing.
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Cole Sargent
1/8/2014 01:21:40 pm
"That day I could hardly wait to tell Papa and Mama the great news. As I got off the bus, my little brothers and sister ran up to meet me. They were yelling and screaming. 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," (Jimenez 83). I connected to this quote because when I was a kid my family moved quite often, and each time was a new environment with new people, and old friends and opportunities lost. I can almost feel the disappointment I imagine Francisco is feeling when he sees those boxes myself, he had made a new friend and was readily learning English and then his old life was just taken from him. It's pretty depressing, really.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
1/8/2014 01:42:27 pm
I like how you made a connection to your personal life, Before I hadn't thought about how moving constantly effects Francisco's life and how he is unable to build long lasting relationships, meanwhile his education is being put on the back-burner.
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Salina Brice
1/8/2014 01:28:24 pm
When reading this section of the book I thought that Francisco was a great example of someone who is filled with integrity. He is constantly having to leave everything behind and start all over, but each time he still tries just as hard as the last. When Francisco is picking in the cotton or strawberry fields he is determined to prove that he is strong and capable. Then when he goes to school he spends his lunch breaks making connections and getting the extra help he needs to learn English. It's clear that Francisco doesn't give up easily and is a very devoted person to the work he does. I think this relates to a lot of people when they are doing school or other work. You have to take on more responsibility and have the will power to follow through with it, giving everything your best try.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
1/8/2014 01:35:46 pm
Totally agree with your post, Francisco is determined to get the most out of his new life in America, and his hard work proves it.
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John E.
1/8/2014 01:43:28 pm
In the reading so far I feel that Francisco wants to help his family out so much but his father in not allowing him for some reason. Instead of giving Francisco his own bag while he is picking, he must help out his family instead. "We could have done better if I had my own sack." (pg. 69) I agree if he would have his own sack to put cotton into they would have more pounds and more money in the end. I feel that francisco will get his opportunity as he gets older. As of right now he has to prove to himself that he has will keep up with his family while picking. I also feel like there is another reason why his father will not allow Francisco have his own sack.
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Vivian Mason
1/8/2014 01:44:43 pm
I think the strangest part of this book, so far, is how Francisco's siblings just appear! These siblings don't get much more than a sentence either, except Roberto and Trampita. One example of this is: "Mama wrapped Rorra, my newborn sister, in a baby blanket..". All of a sudden Francisco has a baby sister! That single line is all the reader gets to conceptualize a possible new character. This is definitely a new way of reading and meeting characters.
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Lisa Valtierra
1/8/2014 03:15:51 pm
I agree! Everything happens so fast, but then I think about how this is written in the perspective of the author when he was a child, so I guess that kind of explains it.
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Quentin jackson
1/8/2014 01:55:06 pm
It seems insane that fransiscos family could, altogether, pick 600 pounds worth of cotton in 2 hours. It is also incredible that they were only paid 18 dollars for that. It feels like even a machine would struggle to pick that much cotton, and they are paid nearly nothing for it.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
1/8/2014 02:33:19 pm
Francisco and his family display an extraordinary endurance and hard working attitude. I wonder if all the work they do is based off the belief that they working towards a future where they will rest and live comfortably. It seems to me their quality of life has only gotten worse and they never have the time to even enjoy each others
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Jessica B
1/8/2014 02:56:38 pm
Good question! In turn I wonder just how far they could get on that same mindset.
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Jordan Garcia
1/8/2014 02:35:21 pm
" We could have better if I had my own sack, " I thought to myself ". As the days go on, you can definitely tell that his papa is having a rough time. Francisco would wake up and see his Father smoking and taking asprin. I feel that Francisco has a lot to contribute when it comes to cotton picking in the fields. He has experience and all he needs is a new sack. I feel that there is going to be a time where his father is no longer going to be around so he is going to need to step up and be the man for the family with his older brother. I also noticed that every time they are somewhere new, Francisco has some sort of pet to occupy him and it turns out that he always loses it it some sort of way. I am not sure if this symbolizes something but If it did, I would guess that it is a way of Francisco to learn how to let go of or lose something he loves so when the time comes, He will know how to handle it maturely.
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Hayes Sherr
1/8/2014 04:03:16 pm
I feel the same way about Francisco and how he might be the one taking initiative over the family because he wants to take challenges and he would be the best fit for that position.
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Erik Salazar
1/8/2014 02:40:20 pm
In the previous chapter, I see the Habit of Heart, Self Advocacy, stand out in Francisco's actions. As he grows older he soon realizes the responsibilities he will have to take on to keep the family alive. His brother has already began to work in the field and try to raise money for the family. Now Francisco tries to take on the roles by going out to pick cotton and help out his brother Roberto with what he needs. Francisco wants to prove to his family that he can support them as he much as he can even through all the hard times. His father sees this in him and often becomes upset when he takes on roles. I believe his father becomes upset because he does not want his son to grow up too fast but rather be a kid while he still can.
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Grady Gumner
1/8/2014 03:34:55 pm
Do you think maybe Francisco's father wants him to grow up to be something more than just a crop picker? I definitely agree that Francisco's father is reluctant to see him grow up; I just wonder if it's because his father wants him to be a kid or because he wants Francisco to have more in life.
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Jessica Boensch
1/8/2014 03:01:20 pm
The most hard-hitting idea for me in this section of the book was the fact that Francisco was now able to speak English, even if it was broken. This is an amazing example of Self-advocacy because life has made it incredibly difficult for him to do well in school and yet he pushed himself to learn English. My supposition is that this will end up being beneficial to him and his family in the long run as being a self advocate usually does!
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Jessica Boensch
1/8/2014 03:12:52 pm
(This is split is two, sorry for the terrible inconvenience!!!) However, in the immediate time that he is in, times are now the best. I sympathize for him, in this chapter especially when his bird dies and when he comes home to find that the boxes are packed, and he will not be able to play a musical instrument like his teacher promised. This was just another terrible disadvantage that this family had to go through.
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Lisa Valtierra
1/8/2014 03:03:50 pm
"Cotton bolls are like roses. They are pretty but they can hurt you."
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Grady Gumner
1/8/2014 03:31:09 pm
That's a very interesting way to look at the quote you chose. I didn't think of it that way at all when I first read it. Looking back at the quote, I definitely think you picked up on something very important in the book.
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Malia
1/8/2014 03:08:18 pm
Francisco didn't always have the opportunity to go to school. He to wait until the grape season was over. When he did attend, he was far behind and still had trouble with English. His teacher, Mr. Lema took a special interest in him and wanted to teach Francisco trumpet, out of the goodness of his heart and during his own lunch break. Mr. Lema saw potential in Francisco that not many other people saw. Francisco showed the habit of heart, intellectual curiosity, in his desire to still attend school despite his setbacks and to want to learn the trumpet. It was heartbreaking when Francisco had to move and never got the opportunity. It was just goes to show how limited his options were and how controlled the family's life was by the crop rotation.
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1/8/2014 03:16:46 pm
Honestly I don't really read books, but I find this book amazing.Yet on the other hand this book is sad in some ways but it also has it good ways. Francs finally gets to speak some what english as he grows. This shows no matter hard things are never give up on your self. I'm kinda of proud of this little boy for pushing himself to learn english, when nobody at his school knew any nor his family. Also at a young age he is working hard for him and his family to survive. At his age I would be playing on the playground but him he is working on fields, helping his mother cook.
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Ryan Novak
1/8/2014 03:26:51 pm
"By Friday when the sun finally came out, Papa's aspirin bottle was empty and cigarette butts covered the floor by his side of the bed."
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Trevin Kraus
1/8/2014 04:09:18 pm
I completely agree on whether or not the move to America was a good idea. It seems to me that here must be threshold where if things don't change for the better that they find a different life whether thats going back to Mexico or relocating in America.
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Grady Gumner
1/8/2014 03:28:37 pm
Quote: "The rest of the month I spent my lunch hours working on English with Mr. Lema, my best friend at school." (Jiménez 83)
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Hayes Sherr
1/8/2014 03:58:39 pm
I agree, and also how he thought the teacher hated him for being in the fight about the jacket, he still managed to stay in with the teacher.
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Hayes Sherr
1/8/2014 03:52:13 pm
"Then as the liquid quickly cooled, my hands felt like ice. I could not go on. Frustrated and disappointed."
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Trevin Kraus
1/8/2014 04:05:22 pm
I was really sad reading this section of the reading. Here is a boy who has come to America with his family in order for a better life and instead of getting that better life it is the opposite and he slowly looses more and more. First he looses his friend and his jacket and now he is moving once again. I thought that there was a glimmer of hope and happiness in this story when Francisco finally learned how to speak a little English. However, it was quickly crushed by the death of the family pet parrot El Perico. I really hope that this book begins to pick up and has some more uplifting parts.
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Jessica Pollock
1/8/2014 04:07:34 pm
These sections were very sad to read. From the death of the parrot, El Perico, to Francisco finally learning how to speak English and moving far in his school and then having to leave his town and move on to the next. These sections truly show the life and emotion immigrants had to go through. I know the feeling of moving around alot and never having the true feeling of a home. When I was in 2nd grade or so I moved a total of three times in only two months. Once I got comfortable and unpacked at one home it was time to move on to the next and pack everything up again.
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Trevin Kraus
1/8/2014 04:10:23 pm
I really liked the personal connection you made.
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Hank Sherr
1/8/2014 04:27:01 pm
I like how you connected the story to your personal life, and how hard it is to move around every year not knowing where you could end up next.
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Hank Sherr
1/8/2014 04:22:15 pm
"Papa shook his head without saying another word. I knew form his silence that I should not insist on it."
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Crystal
1/8/2014 04:52:55 pm
I totally agree with you on the fact that Francisco should be allowed to prove himself. His father did after all kill his only friend.....
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Crystal Delgado
1/8/2014 04:42:18 pm
TFW: I think El Perico, the parrot, was a good idea to have for the children in this book. Not only does it keep them company and entertained, but it taught them compassion and companionship. I feel as if the father could have reacted a lot better to the situation at hand than he did with El Perico. Acting out as he did and murdering an innocent and defenseless animal was no way to solve the issue. It was also a horrible example for the children even though it did upset them greatly. I wonder why the father didn't do anything to mend what he did to El Perico. It didn't talk much on what happened immediately after the loss of the bird other than the funeral. Did the Father try to apologize? Explain to the children what he did was wrong? Try to mend it in any way? Or was it more of a pride and dominance thing and he used the bird as an example for the rest of the family?
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Crystal Delgado
1/8/2014 04:51:29 pm
Whoops! I forgot to add my quote:
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Abby Thompson
1/8/2014 04:47:39 pm
"Seeing a stream of blood dribble from El Perioco's silent beak, I felt as though someone had ripped my heart out. "
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Chelsea
1/8/2014 05:33:06 pm
I feel sad by the life Fransico has, there seems to be no good out comes for this poor kid. Every time Fransico seems to have his life going good, something happens and ruins the moment. When he meet his friend Miguelito, I felt that he finally felt some joy in his life. But his friend disappeared from one day to another, leaving him alone. Then his pet el perico, which he loved was killed. Throughout his life he has constantly been moving form place to place. Only a person who has gone through an experience of moving so much in their life could relate to the feelings Fransico must of felt. Making new friends, and getting use to living somewhere else. Towards the end I got sad. Fransico was finally learning english, and he seem to be content with life, but he later finds out that yet again his family was moving. He was so happy, and satisfied, but it was all about to go away, and that was just sad. I wonder if later in the book Fransico will ever blame his parents for the life he and his family are currently living through, the struggle. Thinking that maybe it would’ve been best if they just would’ve stayed in Mexico.
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John Laine
1/8/2014 06:00:34 pm
"My thoughts were interrupted by the mans desperate insistence. 'please how about 25 cents?'.... 'how about 10 cents for this handkerchief? Please.."
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Hannah OConnell
1/8/2014 11:26:06 pm
This section of the Circut brought on a lot more emotional stress than the previous. I was sad when the family's parrot died, and I felt horrible about it. It made me think about how no matter what status you are in life, or how you live, pets- family are so dear. But I was even more shocked when his parents packed everything up to move. Francisco was so excited about school and he was making great strides! And then to have to move must have been such a blow. I can't imagine what his full palate of emotions is at the moment because I have been in the same spot my whole life. I can't connect with him on it. But if I had to leave HTH, abruptly leave my education, I would be more distraught then ever before.
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Tess Herzog
1/8/2014 11:39:17 pm
"El Perico hit the dirt floor like a wet rag. Instantly, Roberto, Mama, and I started wailing. My father shouted at all of us to stop."
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Trey Lewis
1/8/2014 11:55:49 pm
"He would stare at me sideways and rub his beak against my nose until I would kiss his head... The affection El Perico and I had was only matched by the attachment he had to Catarina."
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Ryan M
1/9/2014 12:13:20 am
Reading these chapters really shows you what it was like for these immigrants traveling into Callifornia and looking for work. I think that it's interesting that they are given poor laying jobs, yet they are still thankful for what they're doing. As I keep reading on I always think back to the quote "In California they sweep money off of the streets". These immigrants have known how life is better in the U.S.A then where they came from. I kind of wish they gave more of an insight on how life was for them in Mexico, just to compare it to life in California.
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Preston Royal
1/9/2014 12:30:55 am
Throughout this chapter, I had mixed emotions and conflicting thoughts about this assigned reading in The Circuit. I think that the most significant part of this reading was that Francisco was learning English. His teacher, Mr. Lema, was very kind to help him with learning his english that is very raw. I feel that a part that made me really sad was when his parrot died. Francisco had a really strong connection to the parrot and i think that he was one of the only people he could talk to. I wonder what will happen in the next reading, because he has to move again and he is leaving all that he had behind.
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Alex Demos
1/9/2014 12:13:45 pm
I experienced a range of emotions when reading this section of the book. At the beginning, when the narrator's pet parrot dies, I felt sorry and sad for him. I knew that even for such a small animal, it brought great connection to the family, and acted as a best friend for those who took care of him. Then, when he died, it seemed as though a little part of the narrator's heart had been ripped or torn, due to the loss of his best friend. I felt happy when they moved to Fresno and the narrator found a teacher that helped him through his troubles, but sad again when he found he was moving. It seems as though whenever someone or something good comes into his life, either it leaves or he leaves shortly after. Hopefully it will get better for him in the future.
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Christopher Bargman
1/14/2014 07:27:33 am
"By the afternoon she could hardly keep her head up. Roberto and I convinced her to take a nap while we took care of Torito."
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klnhnu;o
4/5/2014 01:22:12 pm
gyu
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