1. The Circuit
By Francisco

2. Author: Francisco Jimenez
Born in Tlaquepaque, Mexico, in 1943
grew up in a family of migrant workers in California
spent much of his childhood moving around California with no permanent home or regular schooling
A graduate of Santa Clara University
attended Harvard University and received both a Master's Degree and Ph.D. from Columbia University

3. Setting
During the 1940’s, after World War II

4. Annotations Ask questions Make connections to the characters
Make comments
Make predictions

5. Where was the family from. Why did the family have to move often
Where was the family from? Why did the family have to move often? What problems did Panchito face? Why was Panchito sad and frustrated?

6. Character Analysis: What kind of person is Panchito? Instructions:
First mark up any phrases that Jimenez describes Panchito’s behavior, attitudes, and appearance.
Then mark up any phrases that the other characters are thinking or judging Panchito’s behavior or attitudes.
Write a 2-chunk paragraph about Panchito’s character.

7. Letter Writing
Pretend that Panchito has been in your classroom for the last three months. It is time for him to move on to the next place for his family to find work. Use your character map to write the principal of that school to tell him all about Panchito. Remember to put your name and address on the top of the letter, the date in the second box, and a closing at the end.