Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
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2nd Grade Lesson Plan (Age 7)
Students will identify the main characters and their key characteristics.
Students will discuss the concept of connection and friendship as depicted in the story.
Students will understand the journey a rescue dog might undertake to find a home.
Book: JJ and Frijolito and or watch the read aloud here
Venn diagrams (printable or drawn on board)
Watch the read-aloud video of 'JJ and Frijolito' here or read the book. The read aloud is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and would be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
Character Spotlight: After the read-aloud, lead a discussion about JJ and Frijolito. Ask students to describe each character's personality and their initial situations. What do they like to do? What makes them unique? (10-15 minutes)
Connecting the Dots: Introduce the concept of 'connection'. Ask students: What does it mean to feel connected to someone or something? How do JJ and Frijolito begin to feel connected even before they meet? Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast JJ and Frijolito, focusing on their similarities (e.g., searching for something, unique abilities) and differences. (20-25 minutes)
Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author Victoria Cepeda's Q&A video. After watching, discuss what new insights students gained about the book, the author's inspiration, or the themes from her perspective. (20-25 minutes)
My Dream Friend/Pet Drawing: Have students draw a picture of their ideal friend or pet. Encourage them to label characteristics that would make this friend/pet a good 'connection' for them, tying back to the book's themes. (15-20 minutes)
Wrap-up and Share: Students share their drawings and briefly explain why their imagined friend/pet would be a great connection. Reiterate the importance of finding connections and showing kindness. (5-10 minutes)
3rd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 8
Students will analyze the themes of unconditional love and belonging.
Students will explore the concept of a 'forever home' for pets and people.
Students will identify the settings in the story and trace Frijolito's physical journey.
Students will understand the author's message about seeking good in the world.
Book: JJ and Frijolito and or watch the read aloud here
Watch the read-aloud video of 'JJ and Frijolito' here or read the book. The read aloud is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and would be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
Mapping Frijolito's Quest: Using a world map or globe, help students locate San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, and New Jersey, USA. Discuss the distance Frijolito traveled. Have students use sticky notes to trace a possible route on the map and discuss the challenges he might have faced on his journey.(15-20 minutes)
What Makes a 'Forever Home'?: Lead a discussion on what a 'forever home' means, both for Frijolito and for people. What elements create a sense of belonging and unconditional love? How do the characters like Mama Fefa and Mrs. Lydia contribute to this feeling for Frijolito? (15-20 minutes)
Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author Victoria Cepeda's Q&A video. After watching, discuss what new insights students gained about the book, the author's inspiration, or the themes from her perspective. (20-25 minutes)
Frijolito's Perspective Journal: Ask students to write a journal entry from Frijolito's point of view, describing his feelings about his journey, the people he met, and finally finding his forever home. Encourage them to use descriptive language. (20-25 minutes)
Class Share and Reflection: Students share their journal entries with a partner or the class. Conclude by discussing the book's message about finding good in the world and the power of love and connection. (10-15 minutes)
4th Grade Lesson Plan - Age 9
Students will examine cultural elements mentioned in the story, specifically from the Dominican Republic and New Jersey.
Students will understand how the author's personal background influenced the story's themes and settings.
Students will analyze how characters (both human and animal) demonstrate resilience and kindness in their journeys.
Students will discuss the importance of goodwill and helping others across different communities.
Book: JJ and Frijolito and or watch the read aloud here
Access to internet for research (optional, for cultural exploration)
Watch the read-aloud video of 'JJ and Frijolito' here or read the book. The read aloud is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and would be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
Cultural Connections: After the read-aloud, identify settings in the story: San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, and New Jersey. Discuss any specific cultural details mentioned (e.g., Mama Fefa, food, community). Have students share what they know or wonder about these places. If time allows, a quick online image search for 'Dominican Republic culture' could be done as a class. (15-20 minutes)
Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author Victoria Cepeda's Q&A video. After watching, discuss what new insights students gained about the book, the author's inspiration, or the themes from her perspective. Discuss how Victoria Cepeda's personal experience of moving from the Dominican Republic to New Jersey might have influenced the themes of journey, connection, and finding a 'sunny spot' in the book. How does her background bridge these two cultures in the story? (30-40 minutes)
Acts of Goodwill: Identify specific instances where characters in the book show goodwill, kindness, or help to others (e.g., Mama Fefa, Mrs. Lydia, Mila). Discuss how these acts impact the plot and contribute to Frijolito's journey and JJ's experience. Students can jot down examples on sticky notes. (15-20 minutes)
Community Heroes Project: In small groups, have students brainstorm ways they can show goodwill in their own community or school, inspired by the characters in the book. They can create a poster or a short presentation outlining their ideas. Emphasize that 'good' exists everywhere. (20-25 minutes)
5th Grade Lesson Plan - Age 10
Students will identify and analyze instances of foreshadowing, particularly through JJ's premonitory dreams.
Students will evaluate how characters, especially JJ and Frijolito, develop throughout the story.
Students will discuss the author's purpose in writing the story and its overarching messages.
Students will explore how personal experiences can shape narrative and thematic content.
Book: JJ and Frijolito and or watch the read aloud here
Graphic organizers for plot analysis and character development
Watch the read-aloud video of 'JJ and Frijolito' here or read the book. The read aloud is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and would be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
Decoding Dreams: Foreshadowing: Introduce or review the concept of foreshadowing. Ask students to recall JJ's dreams from the beginning of the book. Discuss how these dreams hint at future events. Guide them to identify specific details in the dreams that later align with Frijolito's reality. (20-25 minutes)
Character Arcs: JJ and Frijolito: Using graphic organizers, have students track the development of JJ and Frijolito. How does JJ change from the beginning to the end of the story? How does Frijolito's journey shape him? What role do other characters play in their development? (20-25 minutes)
Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author Victoria Cepeda's Q&A video. After watching, discuss what new insights students gained about the book, the author's inspiration, or the themes from her perspective. (20-25 minutes)
Author's Message and Purpose: Lead a discussion on what students believe is Victoria Cepeda's main message or purpose in writing 'JJ and Frijolito'. Connect this to her personal background as shared in the Q&A. How does her experience resonate with the characters' quests? (15-20 minutes)
Debate: Dreams vs. Reality: Organize a class debate around a prompt such as: 'Are connections in life primarily driven by external events or internal desires/premonitions?' or 'Does unconditional love require a shared physical journey or a spiritual bond?'. Students should use evidence from the book to support their arguments. (20-25 minutes)
Alternative Lesson Plan Ages 7+
Students will be able to recount the main events of JJ and Frijolito's intertwining journeys.
Students will recognize the importance of kindness and helping others in a community.
Students will reflect on what gives them a sense of connection and happiness (their 'sunny spot').
Students will express creativity through art inspired by the story's themes.
Book: JJ and Frijolito and or watch the read aloud here
Old magazines, newspapers, fabric scraps, glue sticks (for collage, optional)
Watch the read-aloud video of 'JJ and Frijolito' here or read the book. The read aloud is about 1 hour and 15 minutes and would be broken up in 15-20 minute intervals per day until complete.
Story Retelling & Mapping: After the read-aloud, ask students to help retell the story in their own words. Create a simple story map on the board, identifying key characters, settings, and main events in Frijolito's journey and JJ's world. (15-20 minutes)
Circle of Kindness: Discuss the different people who helped Frijolito on his journey (Mama Fefa, Mrs. Lydia, Mila). Talk about how these acts of kindness led to a happy outcome. Ask students to share examples of kindness they have witnessed or experienced. (10-15 minutes)
Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author Victoria Cepeda's Q&A video. After watching, discuss what new insights students gained about the book, the author's inspiration, or the themes from her perspective. (20-25 minutes)
My 'Sunny Spot' Art Project: Explain the author's idea of finding her 'sunny spot' (a place of happiness and fulfillment). Have students create an artwork (drawing, painting, or collage) that represents their 'sunny spot' – what makes them feel happy, loved, and connected. Encourage them to include elements that relate to friends, family, pets, or favorite activities. (25-30 minutes)
Gallery Walk & Sharing: Students display their 'Sunny Spot' artworks. Do a 'gallery walk' where students can view each other's creations. Afterwards, invite volunteers to share their artwork and explain what their 'sunny spot' means to them. (10-15 minutes)