The Circuit

Mapping Activity

*Note: Objectives of the suggested activity:

• To place the students in the travel of the Jimenez family throughout the novel
• To introduce and build location and distance researching skills
• To allow students to work with classmates to build social skills and allow for a creative outlet

Introduction

Students will team up with one or two classmates to develop a map depicting the travels of the Jimenez family throughout the novel. The groups will use the Internet or other resource to research states, cities, and the distance traveled using the suggested links. Each day the group will add to their map, resulting in the finished product of a 3x5 foot map (preferred map size is flexible for this activity).

Background Knowledge

• Use of the Internet
• Map reading
• Use of a distance scale – the miles will be provided by mapquest or another search engine, but students may need a lesson in drawing a map to scale.

Materials

• Butcher paper or 3x5 poster board (Instructor can determine size)
• Rulers/yard stick
• Colored pencil/lead pencils
• Access to the Internet or map resources

Activity

• Divide students into groups of 2 or 3
• Introduce the activity
• Hand out materials

Teacher Resources

Spanish to English Translations for The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez

1. La frontera = the border
2. El Rancho Blanco = The White Ranch
3. Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Mexico = National Railway system of Mexico
4. Cantinflas = a famous movie star from the past
5. Mi’ jo = my son
6. Mi’ ja = my daughter
7. Dios lo quiera = God would want
8. otra vez la burra al trigo = literally – again the donkey (female) in the wheat.
9. Panchito = Little Francisco
10. La Migra = Immigration/Border Patrol
11. Viejo/Vieja = endearing nickname for spouse. Literally = old
12. Comal = metal skillet used over an open fire
13. Verdolagas = an edible weed
14. Carachita = name given to their old car; jalopy
15. si = yes or if
16. corridos = bullfights
17. Como se dice ‘es tuyo’ en ingles? = How do you say “it’s yours” in English?
18. Torito = little bull. Nickname for Juan Michael
19. Virgen de Guadalupe = The Virgin of Guadalupe
20. frijoles de la olla = beans in a pot
21. la crandera = healer
22. El mal de ojo = evil eye
23. vieja, vamonos al hospital = old lady (endearing term used between
    husband and wife), we must go to the hospital
24. Santo Nino de Atocha = Holy child of Atocha
25. el Angel de Oro = Angel of Gold
26. Tonto =silly, stupid
27. paisano =countryman
28. Que dios los bendiga = May God bless them
29. Feliz Navidad, vieja = Merry Christmas, old lady (endearing term used between husband and wife)
30. El Perico = The Parrot
31. periquito bonito = pretty little parrot
32. “Santa Maria, Madre de Dios, ruega Senora por nosotros los pecadores ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte, amen” = Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners no and at the hour of our death, amen
33. contratista = contractor
34. mocoso =snotty, stuck up
35. La Bola = the ball
36. alla = over here
37. braceros/bracero = workers allowed to be in the U.S. Circa 1940’s
38. Ya es ora = its time
39. listo = ready, smart
40. mi olla = my pot
41. es todo = that’s all
42. tienen que tener cuidado= you have to be careful
43. quince = 15
44. chile con carne = chile with meat
45. huaraches = sandals
46. sin vergueuza = brazen
47. abuelita = grandma
48. hacendados = landowners
49. campesinos = field workers
50. librito = little book
51. Mi’ jito = my son (endearing)
52. El Ratoncito = little mouse
53. Ay, Dios mio = oh, my god
54. Ya no seas tonto, Pancho! = Don’t be silly/stupid, Pancho