Variety

The types of novels we choose to have available for use in our classroom as well as within our lesson plans dictate the variety of success among students. With a lack of adequate resources, we fail to provide each student with an opportunity to experience literature to its greatest potential.

PDF of Text

Our students do not solely exist within the classroom. They live with many different experiences outside of the learning environment. As teachers, we have to recognize these commitments and circumstances. By providing students with a PDF of the selected readings, they are able to access the literature outside of class when needed. Technology is ever-growing and evoloving, majority of students today have access to wifi through a smartphone, computer, or tablet, which can all be used for on-the-go engagement in various situations.

Audiobooks

According to the "VARK Model," each individual student possesses a different learning style. The ways we as humans digest information vary from person to person. It is important to recognize, as teachers of English, that not every student can process reading from a book or paper. By providing accesses to an audiobook link, which can also be located on Google or through various platforms such as Audio and Libby, which can be purchased by the district, students can interact with text in a way that meets their learning style.

Students who are blind or who experience a vision impairment can also utilize audiobooks to engage with material in a way that is accessible to their needs.

These audiobooks can also be translated into different languages, becoming accessible to all students.

Translated Texts

It is very common for many students to be placed in an English Language Arts classroom as speakers of another language. Without adequate resources, such as translators, it is easy for students to fall behind or be forgotten. In my experiences, I have seen so many English Language Learners sitting in an English classroom doing nothing while their classmates work fluently through their work. By advocating for translated copies of novels, students can engage with the material on a level of understanding that allows them to participate in analysis.

The financial abilities of districts contribute to the accessibility of translated novels. If a district is unable to provide hard copies of novels, I have found that a very simple Google search for a translated PDF will often be successful. The effort we put in as teachers to accommodate all our students is reflected in their experiences and growth. Providing translated worksheets, Google Classroom directions, and any slideshows can create an accessible learning environment.

Important Reminder: English Language Arts is about the art that we analyze, as long as that art is made accessible, any language speaker can contribute to critical thought and analysis.

There are many other ways to create accessible literature in the classroom than those listed above. Base your classroom needs on the students who create the environment. By accommodating the individual, you benefit the engagement as a whole.

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