The Donkey Library Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will describe how Luis Soriano created a “donkey library” to provide books to his students.

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, persuasive writing

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a chart

 

Vocabulary:

biblioburro, rural, access, loaned, donated

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.5 use text features; RI.2.10 read informational texts; W.2.1 write opinion pieces; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level:

510L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on lbraries.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Biblioburro." After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What kinds of books do you like to read?

 

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Have students ever seen a donkey?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about how you would feel if you met the biblioburro.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think skill sheet. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Review vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are biblioburro, rural, access, loaned, and donated.

Assessment (15 min.)

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

  • Use the online game show to gauge comprehension and reinforce the issue’s content. Students can play by themselves or in teams. For each question they answer correctly, they win a point.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work skill sheet to deepen students’ understanding of the words biblioburro, rural, access, loaned, and donated..

Editor’s Pick: Persuasive Writing (15 min.)

  • Students will make a convincing argument for the donkey library to carry a book they love with the Dear Biblioburro skill sheet.

ELA Focus: Writing (15 min.)

  • The Meet the Biblioburro! skill sheet has students describe how they would respond if they had the chance to meet the biblioburro.

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on Read Across America::

  • “Taste New Books!” March 2022. With this issue, students will discover various book genres and their attributes.
  • “Meet Christian Robinson!” March 2021. This issue takes students through the work process of this Caldecott Medalhonored writerillustrator.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 610L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 420L