Colorin Colorado: Helping children read... and succeed!
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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.


A bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners

Creating a Welcoming Classroom for
English Language Learners


Teacher and students having class outdoors

Welcome to Colorín Colorado, the leading website for teachers
and parents of English Language Learners!

Here you'll find numerous articles, resources, and ideas to support ELLs at school and at home.

Creating a Welcoming Environment for ELLs

The first day of school can be intimidating for English language learners, especially those who are entering a U.S. school for the first time. This article offers ideas on making your classroom a place where ELLs can feel comfortable and safe to take risks from the moment they enter the door. Also take a look at the article's featured video interviews with author Pat Mora and teacher Amber Prentice!

New on Colorín Colorado!

Updated Web Resource Section

We are pleased to present Colorín Colorado's new web resources section! Recommended online resources and websites are organized by categories and audience groups. If you don't see a resource listed that has been helpful to you, be sure to let us know!

Building Your Child's Vocabulary

One way to help children become stronger readers is to help them build their vocabulary. Beginning readers use knowledge about words to help them make sense of what they're reading. Take a look at these ideas from this Ed Extras article, also available in Spanish.

This Month's Highlights

It is important for school administrators and staff to spend some time thinking of ways to help new ELL students make a smooth transition into school and ease their anxiety. One way to help these students feel welcome and get them prepared for success in school is to present them with a Welcome Kit.

School Year Start Up Checklist

School Year Start Up Checklist

This checklist offers some great ideas for getting your classroom set up at the beginning of the school year, with targeted ideas for the ELL classroom. Is there something helps you get ready every year?
Send us an e-mail and let us know!

Parent Question: Is it OK to speak to my child in my native language?

Parent Question: Is it OK to speak to my child in my native language?

Find the answer in our parent FAQ section (also available in Spanish). This month's question is an excerpt from Learning Two Languages: Questions Parents Ask and is reprinted with permission from
PBS Parents.

Books and Authors

Featured Video: Frank McCourt

Frank McCourt

Reading Rockets remembers Frank McCourt, the gentle, funny man with the great gift for storytelling who hosted their PBS show, Reading for Meaning. In this video, McCourt, shares his wise words about the power of a book and connecting stories to your own life.

Reading Rockets remembers Frank McCourt, the gentle, funny man with the great gift for storytelling who hosted their PBS show, Reading for Meaning. In this video, McCourt, shares his wise words about the power of a book and connecting stories to your own life.

The Bus for Us
By Suzanne Bloom

The Bus for Us / Nuestro Bus

Tess can't wait for the school bus to arrive! "Is this bus for us, Gus?" she continues to ask, as a taxi, ice cream truck, and fire engine pass by. The repetition of questions and answers throughout the story will make this a great read-aloud for young students and English language learners. Colorful watercolor illustrations complement the text. Bilingual edition available.

Reading Rockets' Booklist: School Days

Moony Luna / Luna, Lunita Lunera

The backpack is packed, the lunch money is in hand, and it's time for a new school year! Getting ready for school means a lot of changes — a new grade, teachers, friends, and routines, but it's all fun and safe when shared within the covers of a book. Take a look at this Reading Rockets booklist featuring titles all about going to school.

Recommended Resources

AFT QuEST Workshop Presentations

AFT logo

The American Federation of Teachers recently held its Quality Educational Standards in Teaching (QuEST) conference. AFT has posted many of the presentations used in workshops on topics ranging from community schools to using high-quality web resources in the classroom. Take a look at the presentations on the AFT website.

Learning Store Sale: Multicultural Hardcover Book Set

Vocabulary Improvement Program for English Language Learners

This multicultural set offers a selection of 16 hardcover books from the Latino, Asian American, African American and Native American communities plus Multicultural Anthologies. Visit the Learning Store for other great educational resources for ELLs.