Here is a collection of books for read-alouds and mentor texts during the fall season. These books feature diverse characters and have vivid illustrations. Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on an Amazon link and make a purchase. This does not cost you any extra money. Autumn Story Books Hiking Day– Follow a family as they hike up Hickory Hill and reach the summit. They see colorful fall leaves and…
The beginning of the school year is a great time to read books about starting at a new school, culture, respect, names, and identity. Books with a diverse range of characters allow students to see their own and other cultures represented. It is especially important for MLs to read and listen to books where they see characters similar to themselves represented. Here are some great books to use a read aloud at the beginning of the school year. Many of…
Help students learn about schools around the world with this selection of books. Students can use the information that they learn to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between their own school and those that they read about. It is also a great opportunity for students that have attended school in other countries to share some of their own experiences. Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on an…
Get kids excited about reading during the summer with these fun summer-themed fiction and nonfiction books. Students will enjoy reading about the ocean, camping, and summer traditions. Many of the characters come from immigrant families or have family members that live in other countries. For more ideas about helping children read over the summer check out my Summer Reading Tips for ELLs. Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on…
You can use student name books to help explain to students the importance of correctly saying the names of their classmates. Here is a list of student name books from a diverse selection of authors. They are great at back to school time or anytime during the year when a new student enters the class. For ELLs, it can be especially frustrating when a teacher or classmates do not pronounce their name correctly. Taking some time at the beginning of…
It is important for children to be exposed to diverse books as they are learning how to read. Many teachers are examining their classroom library and adding more diverse books to their collection. Guided reading is also an important component of a balanced literacy program. Some teachers are lucky to teach in a school with a well-stocked book room. In other cases, many of the books at the lower levels are not age-appropriate for older ESOL students and do not…
If you choose to introduce your ELLs to the holiday of Halloween, here are some fun books to use. I found books that include bilingual books, books that show the merging of cultures, and a basic history of Halloween. I also have suggestions for Halloween activities for ELLs to use as you are teaching. Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on an Amazon link and make a purchase. This…
Wordless picture books are a great tool to use with English Language Learners. They allow students to practice making inferences and think critically without the language demands of reading text. Students can make up their own stories orally and using writing. Wordless picture books are also a helpful tool for vocabulary development. Students can label the picture, either using sticky notes or writing on a projected image of the book. Another idea is to write a story as a class…
Here is a collection of books about mothers from diverse cultures and backgrounds. All are great books to read about around Mother’s Day. Some of the books can be used as read alouds for newcomers and students learning about family. Most celebrate different ways that mothers are special. Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on an Amazon link and make a purchase. This does not cost you any extra…
Poetry is a wonderful genre to share with students. For ELLs, it is a great way to expose them to rhyming words and other ways to play with words. Poems are typically short and lend themselves well to being read out loud. This helps build students reading fluency and oral language skills. Poetry is also a way for ELLs to analyze more complex text, even if they are reading below grade level. Poetry is a great opportunity to share books…