Donkeys and English at Key Stage Two

Donkeys are taken into primary schools to encourage pupils to write with more precision and accuracy when tackling non-fiction. The donkey is used to inspire experiential writing, creating a stimulus for fictional writing pieces. The donkeys can be brought in for a whole school themed day, or just for a morning or afternoon session.

Non-Fiction

Pupils are taught how to instruct / inform / explain. They are given a harnessing demonstration and hands-on experience where possible. They then create their own instructions to explain to a non-driver how a donkey is harnessed safely.

Lessons are prepared with reference to the national framework, encouraging pupils to work at a higher level, looking at the use of layout, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation.

Donkey Driving Enterprises has been set up to encourage children and adults to learn how drive carriages with donkeys. Using the traditional style of driving, ‘the English hand’, Debbie aims to encourage a new leisure driving activity that will inspire the young and old alike.

She is keen to improve the creative and non-fictional writing of pupils in schools at Key Stage Two, using the Donkeys and above practices as inspiration.

Fiction

Pupils learn how to lead and handle a donkey and observe its behaviour, attitude, personality and appearance. They then read a variety of fictional texts, poems and short stories about the donkey
Pupils write their own story, poetry or descriptive piece about the animal.
Cross-curricular links include Art and Irish History

Schemes of work, pupil booklets and teachers’ packs are available upon request at the time of booking.