Plot and Setting
Where does Ernesto live before coming to the US?
Mexico
Who is the main character?
Ernesto
What does formidable mean?
Inspiring fear or respect due to strength, size, or difficulty
What text element tells us where the story takes place?
The setting descriptions and place names
What is the main idea of Barrio Boy?
Answer: The immigrant experience and adapting to a new culture and school
Why does Ernesto's family leave Mexico?
For better opportunity (answers may vary)
Who are the 4 characters in the principal's office?
Miss Hopley, Ernesto, his mother and the interpreter
What does menace mean?
A person or thing that is dangerous or threatening
Why does the author include Spanish words in the text?
To show Ernesto’s culture and make the story authentic
What lesson does Ernesto learn about school?
Answer: That school is a place of opportunity and growth
What is Ernesto's first impression of the US school?
It was a large school, intimidating, and very different from what he knew
How does Ernesto feel when he first enters the school?
Nervous, anxious, etc
What is an interpreter?
A person who translates spoken language between people
What figurative phrase or simile shows Ernesto’s feelings?
Examples like being ‘lost in a sea of strangers’
300: How does Ernesto’s experience show the importance of community?
Answer: The school and supportive people help him feel welcome
What detail shows his nervousness about being new?
He was shy, unsure about English and nervous.
How does his teacher make him feel more comfortable?
She is patient, kind and help him learn English
What does anchorage mean in the story?
A place of security or stability; something that holds firm.
How does figurative language help us understand Ernesto’s challenges?
It shows his emotions and struggles in a vivid way
What is one theme of the story related to immigration?
Adaptation, resilience, and preserving identity while fitting in
How does the setting (school and community) affect Ernesto's experience?
it is a supportive community and caring teachers help him adjust and succeed
How do Ernesto’s feelings change from beginning to end?
Answer: He grows more confident and proud as he adapts and learns
What do idiocies mean?
?Idiocies = foolish actions
How does the author’s word choice show Ernesto’s respect for education?
Through positive descriptions of school, teachers, and learning
How does Ernesto’s story connect to the idea of identity and belonging?
He learns he can be both proud of his Mexican heritage and part of American society