Cajas de cartón: Comprehension and Analysis Questions and Additional Resources

This packet is designed for heritage Spanish speakers or advanced Spanish students. I used this novel with my first-year Spanish language arts students. They were mixed grades 9 and 10 but none had ever had a Spanish class before. My classes had significant variation in reading and writing proficiency, though all students were fluent listeners and speakers of Spanish. For some, this novel was a breeze while for others, it was quite challenging.

I introduced this novel toward the end of the first semester (early December) after a semester-long study that dove into issues in immigration in the United States. Additionally, I introduced the book after watching a documentary called "La Cosecha" that addresses youth as migrant laborers in the United States (2010). I will be adding materials related to both the immigration units and the documentary, so look for that in my store in the coming weeks!

The packet includes between 7 and 13 questions for each of the 12 chapters of Francisco Jiménez's novel Cajas de cartón. Questions are focused on comprehension of events in the chapter as well as analysis of values, decisions, and metaphors. This is NOT a packet focused on vocabulary or basic language acquisition but rather on developing critical skills for effective literary thinking and writing!

In addition to each page of questions, most chapters include an additional set of resources to help students better understand the novel. These resources range from city maps to facts about cotton and associated math problems.

These could be assigned as independent, in-class guided reading or homework and used as the basis for in-class discussion.

As you use this product, please contact me with any feedback, corrections, or questions at contaremosdoce@gmail.com. ¡Gracias!