Chapter Story

Teaching elementary readers who are very low level English language learners can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. Here are some friendly instructional suggestions for using a short story:

NOTE: Pre-teach Vocabulary using Words to Know: Before reading the story, introduce key vocabulary words highlighted in the Words to Know. Use visuals, real objects, or gestures to help students understand the meanings of the words.

1. Read Aloud Dramatically: As you read the story aloud, use exaggerated facial expressions, gestures, and intonation to make the story come alive. Encourage students to follow along with their eyes and point to pictures that correspond with the text.

2. Pause for Comprehension Checks: Pause periodically during the story to ask simple comprehension questions. For example, "Who is the main character?" or "What do you think will happen next?" This helps students stay engaged and ensures they are understanding the story.

3. Act Out the Story: After reading the story, encourage students to act out key scenes or characters. Provide props or costumes to make the activity more engaging. Acting out the story helps reinforce vocabulary and comprehension in a fun and interactive way.

4. Retell the Story: Have students retell the story in their own words. Encourage them to use the vocabulary words they learned and to sequence the events of the story in order. This helps reinforce comprehension and language skills.

5. Create Simple Story-related Activities: Provide simple activities related to the story, such as coloring pages, sequencing cards, or matching games. These activities give students additional practice with vocabulary and comprehension in a hands-on way.

6. Encourage Personal Connections: Ask students to share their own experiences or thoughts related to the story. This helps make the story more meaningful to them and encourages language production.

7. Repeat and Reinforce: Repeat the story and related activities multiple times throughout the week to reinforce learning. Repetition is key for language acquisition, especially for low-level learners.

8. Celebrate Progress: Finally, celebrate students' progress and achievements with the story. Praise their efforts and growth, and encourage them to continue practicing their English language skills.