How to Use Patterned Texts with MLs

Predictable or patterned texts can be a helpful tool for multilingual learners (MLs) in the ELD classroom. While these books often support language development through repeated sentence structures and high-frequency vocabulary, they often include words that are challenging for students to decode independently. Because of this, patterned texts are not typically the best fit for guided reading with beginning readers until they have developed the necessary phonics skills and sight word knowledge. Instead, ELD teachers can use these books during read-alouds, shared reading, and interactive writing lessons to model fluent reading, build oral language, and support comprehension.

Reading Confidence

Books with a repeating sentence pattern are great confidence builders for beginning ELLs. After hearing the book read out loud a few times, a student will begin to memorize the words from the book. They are then able to pretend to read by repeating the sentence and looking at the pictures. This helps them to learn new vocabulary and learn the sentence that is used throughout the book. Having a book that a student feels successful reading can help motivate them to reread it.

Oral Language

Use books with predictable patterns to help students practice oral language skills. The scaffold of the repeating pattern is helpful for students to retell the events in the story. You can also pull out sentence patterns to allow students practice with speaking in complete sentences.

Talk about going shopping with an adult.

We need _____. Here are ______. 

Writing

Patterned texts are great for guided writing lessons. After you have read the book to students and given them time to talk about the story events or important details, move on to writing. Next, pull out the sentence frame that repeats throughout the book. Finally, students can use the frame to add in their own information and extend the book.

Write about going shopping with an adult.

We need _____. Here are ______. 

Grammar

Simple sentence patterns make great mentor sentences for grammar instruction. Try using a sentence patterning chart to label the part of speech of the sentence that repeats throughout the book. Then give students examples of vocabulary words that they can use to fill in the sentence. Finally, have them create their own original examples of the sentence. 

This activity works well with picture books that use repetitive sentence patterns. Some of my favorites for primary children are Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, and other books in that series.  

Text Sets

You can include pattern books as a part of text sets. A text set is a collection of books about a topic. Having students listen to and read multiple texts about the same topic will increase their background knowledge on that topic. Students are given repeated exposure to new content vocabulary words as they read or listen to each new book.

Consider saving a simple repeating pattern book until after you have read some longer books. Then the students will have had more exposure to the vocabulary used and a better chance of reading the book along with you or independently.

Patterned Texts Teacher Resources

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Predictable Text Picture Books

In Reading and Writing with English Learners, learn strategies for teaching culturally relevant lessons through a balanced literacy lens.

Reading Rockets gives additional ideas for using predictable texts in What Can I Do With All These Predictable Texts?

Find suggestions for diverse, leveled readers to use with your students.