Classroom Read-Aloud of the Month: I Yam a Donkey

I Yam a Donkey by Cece Bell is a read-aloud guaranteed to leave classes laughing and gasping at the surprise ending. Plus, students will learn a little proper grammar along the way. Use these discussion questions during school outreach events, classroom parties, elementary book clubs, or book parties for even more fun. For kindergarten through grade 5.

Introducing I Yam a Donkey

Here’s a sample introduction to reel students in:

“Today I’ve brought you a story called I Yam a Donkey by Cece Bell. Now, does that title look correct to you? What could be wrong with it? Well, there is a yam on this cover. Do you see one? This is a very proper yam, and we could all learn a thing or two from him. We’ll see how smart he really is…”

Discussion Questions for I Yam a Donkey

Here are some follow-up questions for further engagement:

What did you think? Thumbs up or thumbs down for I Yam a Donkey? Why?
Did you understand the misunderstanding? What did Donkey not understand?
Did you see the ending coming?
What did you think of the moral of this story?
What are some other misunderstandings people can have when speaking?
Have you ever eaten a yam? Did you like it? Did you know yam is another name for sweet potatoes?
Cece Bell is the author and illustrator of this book. Do you know any other books by her? Her husband is also an author. Have you ever heard of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda series?

Commonly Misheard (and Mispelled!) Words aka Homophones

Discuss other words that could cause misunderstandings, or words that sound the same but are spelled differently, such as the following. Say the word and ask students to tell you what the different meanings could be. For example, “Raise your hand if you know what an ant is and can tell us? Yes, it’s a bug that crawls on the ground. What could it also be?… Yes, a family member!”

Ant and aunt – A bug or a family member.
Buy and By – To purchase or to be near something.
Desert and dessert – A place or a sweet treat.
Flower and Flour – A plant or an ingredient in cookies.
Hair and hare – Something on your head or a rabbit.
Plane and plain – Something that flies in the sky or something simple.
Sun and son – Something in the sky or a family member.
Tail and tale – Something on a bunny rabbit or a story to tell.
Two, To, and Too – The number, a movement towards something, or in addition.

Learn to Draw with Cece Bell

Cece Bell is not only the author of I Yam a Donkey, but the illustrator, too! Watch the video and encourage students to create their own illustrations featuring the letter U. Provide them with a sheet of paper to try this activity in the classroom or at home.

On the back of the sheet, include a note for parents and caregivers with your library’s contact information, read-alikes for the story you read, and a list of upcoming library events tailored to their age group. Providing an extension activity for students to enjoy after you leave will cement your visit in their minds and increase the likelihood that caregivers become aware of the library.