“Change is the essential process of all existence.” – Spock, Star Trek

We all fight change, but sometimes change is necessary.  In the autobiography by Francisco Jimenez, The Circuit, Franciso or also known as Pancho, finds that change is necessary for his family's survival.

Being the son of migrant workers who leave their home in Mexico to find a more financially stabled way of life in America, Pancho is excited, scared and have some trepidation about his new temporary home.

He has to go to a new American school and learn its language which is different from his own.  He makes friends with Miguelito, but has issues trying to fit into his new life until he wins in a competition for his drawing which gives him more self-confidence in who he is.

The story can be taught from several themes.  There is the the theme about people learning to live in a different country or a different way of life. There is the theme about self-respect and that we all have something that we are good at.  There is the theme about butterflies and how through their process of metamorphosis can be related to introduction of change for the better.

My students can relate to this as most of them come from Latin and South American immigrant families.  Most of my students have told me that their mothers and fathers had come to this country for a better life.  This book will most likely have experiences that they themselves have experienced.

My lesson would give them the basic foundation to think about how this also relates to other people such as the Irish, Italian, Jews and other immigrants who came to this country and help them to see that other nationalities have been on the same path for the same reason as their own people.

It could also be expanded to develop critical thinking in conjunction with cause and effect.  Why did Francisco's family have to find work in California?  What were the circumstances that made them seek employment outside of their country?  I would also lead my students into discussions to build their ability to draw conclusion and make inferences.  I would have them think about the conditions of Francisco's family living environment and how that might effect their health and their lifespan.

My students could also use multimedia to present their own interpretation of the book in a  book review of their own.

Here is an example below:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCVBfvfeImM