Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
Success for English Language Learners in the New Year
Welcome to Colorín Colorado: the leading website for teachers
and parents of English Language Learners! Here you'll find lots
of articles, resources, and ideas to support ELLs at school and
at home.
New! Getting ELLs on the Path to College
For English language learners, the challenges of going to and applying to college can be overwhelming. ELL teachers can play
an important role, however, by helping students prepare for and navigate the application process. This new section features a number of articles with great ideas for ways that ELL educators can support their students as they consider their future plans.
Parent Tips: Making the Most of the New Year
For some great ideas on helping your child get off to a good start in the New Year, take a look at these articles from Colorín Colorado:
- School Attendance: A Key to Success
(also available in Spanish) - New Year's Resolution: Help Your Kids Do Great in School (also available in Spanish)
- Start the New Year Off Right: Resolve to Raise a Reader! (also available in Spanish)
Highlights
Book of the Month
Home of the Brave
By Katherine Applegate
Home of the Brave, written in free verse, tells the story of Kek, an eleven-year-old boy from the Sudan who arrives as a refugee to Minnesota in the middle of winter. The novel follows his stages of assimilation, from seeing snow for the first time to arriving at his school and ESL class, and all of his adventures in between.
The Teacher's Guide for Home of the Brave includes discussion questions, activities on idioms and language, and web resources about the war in Sudan. Highly recommended for ELL educators and students. Appropriate for grades 4-12.
Get Ready to Write! "Letters from the White House" Creative Writing Contest
Colorín Colorado's sister sites, Reading Rockets and AdLit.org, join the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance in launching a national creative writing contest.
Letters from the White House encourages students to explore the history of America and tap into their own creativity when they write letters about themselves in a role from a past, present, or future White House. Entries due on February 16th, Presidents' Day.
Inside the White House
If your class will be discussing the Presidential Inauguration or President's Day, take a look at these children's books from Reading Rockets' Inside the White House booklist! From White House pets and the duties of the President, to the adventures of some of the youngest members of past Presidential families, these books are sure to be a success with students.
Winter Books: Let It Snow!
Reading Rockets has compiled a wonderful assortment of winter tales and picture books in their seasonal booklist, Let It Snow. Explore the wonders of the snow from the warmth of your home with these great books.
This month's features
Teacher Resources for the New Year
If you are looking for some fresh ideas for the New Year, take a look at these resources from Colorín Colorado!
Strategy Library from AdLit.org
For teachers of adolescent ELLs, be sure to check out AdLit.org's Strategy Library!
Don't miss
Sesame Street: Bilingual Resources for Military Families
In recognition of the contributions made by the United States Armed Forces, Sesame Workshop presents this bilingual educational outreach designed for military families and their young children to share. Resources include, videos, parent information, and a facilitator guide — all available in
English and Spanish.
Social Networking with Colorín Colorado
Colorín Colorado now has a fan page on Facebook. Check us out and become a fan today!
We are also on Twitter, so sign up to follow our twitters and be the first to now what's new and exciting on Colorín Colorado.
Resources from Our Learning Store
LearningStore is a service shared by Colorín Colorado and our sister sites (Reading Rockets, LD OnLine, and AdLit.org) to provide you the best educational materials, vetted by experts. ELL resources include books, software, interactive learning tools, and DVDs. Take a look and see what you think!
Today's News
Obama Gets Advice, Letters From Young Navajos
National Public Radio
Teaching Fluency: Area Teachers Aim to Break Down Language Barriers
Lansing State Journal (MI)
Judo Technique Good on Wrestling Mat, Too
DesMoines Register (IA)
You have created an amazing resource!
~ David M.
Why the name "Colorín Colorado"?
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Colorín Colorado is a free web-based, bilingual service that provides information, activities, and advice for educators and Spanish-speaking families of English language learners (ELLs, also known as students of English as a second language).
Colorín Colorado is produced by Reading Rockets — an educational service of WETA, the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation's capital. Original artwork by Caldecott Award-winning illustrator David Diaz is used with permission.
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© Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Colorín Colorado receives major funding from the American Federation of Teachers. Additional funding is provided by the National Institute for Literacy and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
¡Colorín Colorado! ® is a registered trademark of WETA.
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