Read this poem by Gary Soto
Title: Mexicans Begin Jogging
At the factory I worked
In the fleck of rubber, under the press
Of an oven yellow with flame,
Until the border patrol opened
Their vans and my boss waved for us to run.
“Over the fence, Soto,” he shouted,
And I shouted that I was American.
“No time for lies,” he said, and pressed
A dollar in my palm, hurrying me
Through the back door.
Since I was on his time, I ran
And became the wag to a short tail of Mexicans—
Ran past the amazed crowds that lined
The street and blurred like photographs, in rain.
I ran from that industrial road to the soft
Houses where people paled at the turn of an autumn sky.
What could I do but yell vivas
to baseballs, milkshakes, and those sociologists
who would clock me
as I jog into the next century
On the power of a great, silly grin.
Now include and use the ACECES strategy which is the graphic organizer and below to develop a strong paragraph as well as write an explanation of how one of the individuals in this selection is affected by a border crossing. Rubric: Ideas/Purpose (8 points) - What is the "border" and how does it affect the character? Textual Evidence (4 points) - "Directly quote" from the story/poem you chose to support your answer. Conventions (4 points) - Proofread for errors in spelling, capitalization, sentences, etc.
A
Answer the question
Example: In the reading selection, “Mexicans Begin Jogging” the border the character must cross is ___ (this can be a physical border, social border, curtual border, etc. and then say what that border is) and it affects the character by ___.
C
Cite the evidence
Example: The border a character must cross is revealed the following lines from the story, “___.”
E
Explain the connection between the A&C
Example: The author illustrates (insert the idea about a border crossing). From this the reader learns (insert a deeper understanding of the quote's significance. What is the author wanting the reader to lean?)
C
Cite the evidence
Example: The character is clearly affected because (when), "___" (show evidence of how it affects the character)
E
Explain the connection between the A & C
Example: The author further shows (insert the idea about a border crossing). From this the reader realizes (insert a deeper understanding of the quote's significance. What is the author wanting the reader to learn?)
S
So, what does it all mean?
BIG IDEA-Sum it up! What universal idea about people can we gain from this? Or, what does this tell us about humans in general?
In the reading selection, "Mexicans Begin Jogging," the border the character must cross is the physical border between Mexico and the United States. This border affects the character, Soto, by forcing him to flee from the factory he is working in and seek refuge in the United States.
The evidence that reveals the border is when Soto's boss instructs him to run "Over the fence" and Soto protests, claiming that he is American. However, his boss dismisses his claims and hands him a dollar, urging him to escape through the back door.
The author illustrates the challenges and risks associated with crossing the border through this scene. The reader learns that crossing the border is not a choice for Soto but a necessity for survival. It highlights the inequality and struggle faced by individuals attempting to enter the United States from Mexico.
The character is clearly affected by the border crossing because he is forced to leave his job and home behind. The evidence of this impact can be seen in the line, "I ran from that industrial road to the soft houses where people paled at the turn of an autumn sky." This depicts Soto's transition from an urban environment to a more suburban one, where the residents are unfamiliar with the hardships he has faced.
The author further shows the emotional toll of crossing the border, as the character finds solace in mundane aspects of American life. This can be seen in the line, "What could I do but yell vivas to baseballs, milkshakes, and those sociologists who would clock me as I jog into the next century on the power of a great, silly grin." The quote suggests that Soto finds joy in seemingly ordinary things, perhaps as a way to cope with the difficult journey he has undergone.
Overall, this poem highlights the impact of a border crossing on an individual, emphasizing the challenges faced and the need for survival. It sheds light on the experiences and emotions of those who undertake such journeys, providing insight into the human struggle for a better life.