Name _______________________

A Plot Summary and Theme from…

Mr. Zindman’s Class

by Francisco Jimenez An award winning author and teacher

Francisco Jimenez was a Mexican Immigrant that said, "I came to realize that learning and knowledge were the only stable

things in my life."

I can explain the theme of a story.

What is the external and internal conflict from

for the dynamic character, Panchito?

External Conflict- Panchito’s family had to travel the circuit in a world of poverty.

Internal Conflict- Panchito wanted to stay in one place and go to school.

“I want to go to school and live in one place! The cycle

of poverty for migrant workers keeps my family in

poverty. I have an external and

internal conflict!”

I I can explain the theme of a story.

What is a theme in a story?The theme is a lesson the author wants

us to learn from the story. “You never know what

you have until you lose it!”

“What is of worth can only be based on perceived value.” At first, the goat was worthless because it was old and gave

no milk, Then the goat became valuable when help save Aaron.

.

To determine the theme you must determine the

central idea and apply it to

something you already know.

“Friends that help and trust one another can weather out any

storm!”

Zaleth the Goat

Remember the central idea -what the author is telling us in the story?

I can explain the theme of a story.

What is a theme From The Circuit?Remember-The theme is a lesson the author wants us to learn from the story.

“The Cycle of poverty is

hard to escape!”

“Through thick and thin…families stick

together.”

I can explain the theme of a story.

To determine the theme you must determine the

central idea and apply it to

something you already know.

“You never know what you have until

you lose it!”The Circuit

Remember the central idea -what the author is telling us in the story?

Panchito and his family illegally

arrive in CaliforniaRising Action

External Conflict is a struggle between a character and an outside force.

Panchito arrives home from school

Falling Action and Resolution

❖ Setting:

▪The end of August and the end of the harvest

season, around 1949 in Mexico.

▪Panchito's family were migrant workers,

traveling on the circuit to find work-picking

crops.

▪Panchito's family is very poor.

▪The family is moving from their small poor

town in Mexico to California.

▪Point of View: 1st person-“I” Panchito is

telling his own story.

❖External Conflict:

Panchito and his family have a difficult time

surviving as migrant workers. Jobs and the

money is scarce.

▪Panchito and his family

move into a dirty worn

out garage.

▪Papa, Roberto, and

Panchito went to pick

crops in 100 degree

heat. Panchito got sick

from drinking too

much water.

▪Roberto and Panchito

hid when the school

bus passed. They were

worried they would be

caught for not going to

school.

Panchito began schoolClimax

• Panchito enrolls in the 6th grade,

Panchito is nervous.

• Panchito was nervous about

reading out loud. He asked for

help from his teacher.

❖ Internal Conflict:

Panchito is embarrassed about

his inability to read a 6th grade

text. Panchito runs into the

bathroom to practice reading.

• Panchito begins to like school

when he is offered extra help by

his teacher and he is introduced to

playing the trumpet. Panchito

wants to stay here and not move!

• When Panchito arrives home

from school exited to tell his

family about school, he observes

the cartons ready to go.

• The carton implies that

Panchito’s family were moving

again, to find work.

▪ Central Idea-What is the

author telling us in the

story?Migrant workers are

struggling to survive in a

cycle of poverty.

Theme: The cycle of poverty is

hard to escape.

Story Plot Diagram The Circuit

Internal Conflict is a conflict that takes place in the character’s mind

Learning ObjectiveExplain the theme in a fictional story.To examine a story plot diagram.

I Can Statements I can explain the theme of a story.I can identify and explain the external and internal conflicts from a fictional story. I can explain a story plot diagram.

Pearson, Common Core Literature Textbook, Pages 59-71

I can explain the theme of a story.

Theme- The lesson the author presents in a story.

Panchito and his family travel on the

migrant circuitExposition/Setting

I can explain the theme of a story.

1. What is the exposition in the story? Hint: who,

where ,when, and conflict?

2. What is the external conflict in the story.

3. What is the internal conflict in the story

4. Explain the resolution in the story.

5. What is the central idea of the story, The Circuit?

6. Explain the theme in the story?

I can explain the theme of a story.

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