This story is perfect to use in teaching visualization! Be sure to draw attention to the fact that the majority of the story takes place in Skippy’s imagination. Read each page aloud without showing pictures to allow students to visualize what is happening. Read the section of the story where Skippy Jon is in “Old Mexico” but still really in his closet. Have students use their imagination to illustrate pictures of the inside of Skippy’s closet, A.K.A. his imagination.

Students will need to make on-going inferences about the meaning of Spanish phrases throughout this book. When you come to a phrase that has Spanish pause and ask students to infer what it could mean. Remind students they must use context clues + text connections to support their inference.

Por que? 
Yo quiero frijoles 
Vamos, Skippito

This text provides many opportunities to use intonation when reading. When using this strategy, think aloud and tell your students to notice the up and down of your voice. Explain to them why your tone changes as you read a question versus a statement.

• Pg. 5: “And stay out of your closet,” 
• Pg. 7: “Holy Guacamole!”
• Pg. 7: “What was that?”
• Pg. 8: I am a Chihuahua!

Possible words: Chihuahua, incognito, loco, decreed, shimmied, castanets, hovered, rifled