I assigned these digitally, but I also created a printed version of task cards, and also a worksheet format to use if I decide to do it differently in the future. In order for students to make connections between their life experiences and those of Panchito’s (the main character), I had them answer questions for each chapter that had to do with their own life. Using the feedback I gave them on their rough draft summaries, they cut out pages, decorated the cover, colored each page, and copied down their final draft summaries into a beautiful booklet.

I also did the first chapter summary with them so they could see exactly what I was looking for (summary examples for each chapter are included for the teacher in this resource).Īs students read independently, I called students to my desk, one at a time, to go over their chapter summary with them by giving them feedback in their rough draft packet.įinally, upon completing the book and a rough draft summary for each chapter, students began working on their summary compilation booklet. Then, they condensed everything that happened in the chapter into a 150-word or less summary in their packet.īefore we began this process of summary writing for each chapter I went over the guidelines in the beginning of the packet that showcase what a good summary must include.

I decided to focus my class instruction on summary writing alongside this novel, so while reading each chapter students worked through a packet that had them take notes on the key events and new words from the chapter. My students read this novel as a class, so sometimes we all read together and other times they read in small groups or by themselves. Depending on the level of your students, you may need to pre-teach some vocabulary before reading. There are twelve short chapters that are comprehensible for most Spanish-speaking students. This book provides an inside look at the life of migrant farmworkers which pairs well with learning about Los braceros, César Chávez & Dolores Huerta, and what the current working conditions are today for farmworkers. Jimenez covers the migrant experience as it pertains to poverty, language barriers, moving around, and valuing education. It’s written as a memoir from Francisco Jiménez and includes stories from his childhood that touch on many impactful and relevant topics. Sneak peek: Four resources to use for teaching the novel Cajas de cartón.Ĭajas de cartón is a great novel to read with a heritage Spanish speakers class.

Cajas de carton summary