Biblioburro Language Reference Guide
Teacher Cheat Sheet Grade 2 • EL Level 1 (Entering)
Biblioburro: Main Idea Language Frames
Mentor Text: Biblioburro
by Jeanette Winter
Main Idea Equation for Newcomers
1. Who? (Character)
Luis (teacher / teacher on burros)
Gestures: Point to self / book
2. What does he do? (Action)
Brings books to children
Gestures: Walking fingers, opening hands
3. Why / Where? (Detail)
In distant mountain hills
Gestures: Pointing far away, mountains
Differentiated Language Frames Matrix
Use during Read-Aloud & Guided Practice
A Entering (Emerging Pre-Production / Early Level 1) Pointing • Yes/No • Choral Match
Teacher Prompt / Question:
"Who is the book about? Point to Luis."
"Does Luis bring toys or books?"
Student Response Frame / Action:
• Point to picture card: [Luis] / [Books]
• "Luis... books!" / "Yes, books."
B Emerging (Mid Level 1: Sentence Frames with Clues) Fill-in Stem • Partner Turn & Talk
Topic Frame: This book is about Luis and his burros.
Main Idea Frame: Luis rides burros to give books to children.
Key Detail Frame: One detail is that the children love to read.
C Early Developing (Level 1+ / Transition to Level 2) Because / Location Conjunctions
• The main idea is that Luis shares books because the children have no library.
• He travels far into the mountains so that kids can learn.
Key Anchor Words (Cognates)
Luis / Teacher (maestro)
Burros / Donkeys (Alfa y Beto)
Books / Libros
Children / Niños
Library / Biblioteca
Read / Leer
TPR Gestures & Quick Cues
- • "Main Idea" (Big Umbrella): Hold both hands in a wide roof/umbrella over head.
- • "Detail" (Small Steps): Tap index finger to open palm three times.
- • "Burro / Ride": Pretend to hold donkey reins and bounce softly.