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 their story to another group. This is great listening practice for the other students. Have the student switch and the second student or group tell their story. Next, have students compare and contrast the two stories looking for similarities and differences.

Group Story 

A fun twist on a group story is to come up with a common name for the characters and setting. Then have each student or partner group write one page of the wordless picture book. Next, put all of the pages together and read the silly story.

Grammar Practice

Model for students how to write a story in the present tense. Then give students time to create their own present tense story. Next, model how to change the story to the past tense. Have students create a past tense version of their story.

Vocabulary Practice

Choose one page from the wordless book. As a group, label everything you see in the picture. You can use different colors for the parts of speech. Next model for students how to use the words to create sentences. Practice creating sentences that describe the picture. Finally, have students write sentences independently for other pages in the book.

Wordless Picture Books for MLs

View a list of diverse wordless picture books for your Multilingual Learners.

Get a set of wordless books and stories to use with your students.