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Picture Dictionary
Using a Picture Dictionary with MLs

Using a Picture Dictionary with MLs

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Multilingual Learners benefit from seeing pictures as they learn new vocabulary words. Pictures are also beneficial for beginning readers so that they can confirm that the words that they read are accurate. A picture dictionary is a helpful tool for both phonics and vocabulary instruction. Picture Dictionary Organization There are multiple ways that a picture dictionary can be organized. Alphabetically- There are many picture dictionaries available that categorize words by the beginning letter. Many follow a theme. Phonics Patterns- Pictures…

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Using Wordless Picture Books
Using Wordless Books with MLs

Using Wordless Books with MLs

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Wordless picture books are a great tool to use with Multilingual Learners. They allow students to practice making inferences and thinking critically.  An added benefit for newcomer students is that they can tell a story in their native language. Over time and with vocabulary support, students can also create stories in English. Create Multiple Versions of the Same Story Students can work individually or with a partner to create a story using a wordless picture book. Then have students tell…

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Using a sound wall
Using a Sound Wall with MLs

Using a Sound Wall with MLs

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A sound wall using speech lips to match the articulation of speech sounds/phonemes to the letters/graphemes that represent those sounds. Many sound walls only show the letter sound and lip pictures. Others also include the picture of a key word that has the target sound. Less frequently, teachers combine a word wall with a sound wall. In this case, the word she would go under the digraph sh, and not under s. The benefit for Multilingual Learners (MLs) is that a…

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Picture Phonics Assessments

Picture Phonics Assessments

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When English Language Learners are practicing phonics skills, it is important to add in vocabulary instruction so that they know what the words they are learning to read and spell mean. One simple way to accomplish this is with pictures. Keep reading to get a FREE short vowel picture phonics assessment. Use picture and word cards for students to read the word and then match them to the picture. As a spelling assessment, you can hold up a picture and…

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Cause & Effect
Cause and Effect with MLs

Cause and Effect with MLs

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Cause and effect is a reading comprehension skill where students identify why something happened (the cause) and what happened next (the effect). Very young children experiment with the concept of cause and effect (such as when a baby dumps over a plate to see what will happen next.) This concept is more formally taught in reading during upper elementary. In a story or nonfiction text, students must first identify the important details. Then they have to decide if those events…

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Squirrel Text set
Squirrel Text Sets

Squirrel Text Sets

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Text sets allow students to build background knowledge about a topic as they read each new text. Discover books and articles to create squirrel text sets for students to read. Nonfiction Books About Squirrels Squirrel Emergent Reader and Decodable Books – Learn facts about the squirrel. This squirrel text also comes with a long and short vowel one page decodable book. Heggerty Frog Series: I Have Soft Paws– Readers learn about similarities between squirrels and other animals. Uses short vowels: a,…

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Using Decodables
Using Decodable Texts with MLs

Using Decodable Texts with MLs

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Decodable texts are an important tool in helping beginning readers. A decodable text is one where a student is able to decode the majority of the words used. It is important to keep in mind what phonics skills a student has learned when selecting decodable texts. Decodable texts are one tool in helping students learn how to read. Younger MLs may be able to mostly read decodables as they are building their phonics knowledge. For older MLs they will still…

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writing sentences
Writing Sentences with ELLs

Writing Sentences with ELLs

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Writing a detailed sentence can be challenging for students that are learning English as a second or additional language. Beginning writers benefit from explicit instruction in writing sentences as well. Here are some strategies to help students improve their writing at the sentence level. Question Words Use question words to help students practice writing sentences. Choose a topic and then have students answer questions. Next model how to take the information and put it together into a detailed sentence. Question…

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Cicadas
The 5 Best Cicada Books

The 5 Best Cicada Books

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Introduce students to the fascinating cicada insects. These bugs emerge from the ground at different intervals. On the east coast of the US, they typically come out every 13 or 17 years. Create a text set with cicada books and videos. Friend to Cicadas is a website designed by scientists to share information with children. It has videos, a workbook, and other educational materials. Here is a list of cicada books to use with students. What to Expect When You’re…

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phonics writing practice With ELLs
Phonics Writing Practice

Phonics Writing Practice

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Using phonics writing activities is one way for students to practice their phonics skills. Writing helps students segment words and then write down the sounds that they hear. Students with more advanced phonics skills can practice vowel patterns, silent letters, and other letter combinations. When students are writing, they are practicing letter sound knowledge or encoding. Have students write words to practice a spelling pattern. Word Chains or Word Ladders Writing words with the same spelling pattern will give students…

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