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.
Creating a Welcoming Classroom for
English Language Learners
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
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?
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.
Recommended Resources
AFT QuEST Workshop Presentations
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
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.
Today's News
Principal Program in N.Y.C. Linked to Student Test Gains
Education Week
Urban Schools Use Marketing to Woo Residents Back
Associated Press
Immigrant Workers Targeted for English Classes
SouthCoastToday.com (MA)
As our ENL team is planning a parent night we love the Reading Tip Sheets! We
were so excited to see that they are available in 11 languages. Thank you!
~ Franklin Township ENL Team