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Guidelines for Assessing Different Proficiency Levels

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Guidelines for Assessing Different Proficiency Levels

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Guidelines for Different Proficiency Levels

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When giving directions to students, the directions should be short, simple, and modeled when possible.

Write directions on the board so they are both verbal and visual.

If directions are complex, present them in small, sequential steps.

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Use this lesson modification form to differentiate lessons for ELLs

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In TPR the teacher chooses vocabulary to physicalize, models the physical movement with the new vocabulary, and drops physical modeling after an appropriate time.

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Use group activities that give ELL students an opportunity to practice speaking skills. These can be in small groups or with a partner. It is best to have them with a strong English model and not someone who can speak their native language.

For group work, assign the ELL a job that he/she can do so they feel that they are contributing to the group. (Example: illustrating, time keeper, etc.)

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Charades
Reenactment
Scripting
Interviewing
Story telling
Role-Play
Pantomimes
Create videos (Flipgrid is a good app)
Reader's theater
Puppets
Simulation games

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Break up assignments into smaller tasks. Since assignments often take ELLs longer, grade a chunk instead of the full assignment when it is appropriate.

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Graphic Organizers
KWL Charts
Cloze notes
Outlines

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Verbalize steps when working math problems so students have the verbal and visual instructions.

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Paraphrase key concepts using simple language.

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Use guided reading questions to keep students from getting lost in the text.

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Give extended wait time to ELLs.

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Drawings
Photographs
Artwork
Videos
Realia

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Have students do activities such as labeling, identifying, and classifying new vocabulary words.

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Be selective and limit new vocabulary. Choose key terms that students need to know most.

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Simplify definitions and explanations.
Use Tier 1 words to define if possible.
Limit sentence length.
Define in context; give examples.
Give simple synonyms.

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Create a print-rich environment. Have books, reference materials, labels, posters, word walls, magazines, etc. around the classroom.

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Assign new ELL students a buddy. Their buddy does not have to speak their native language. It just needs to be someone who is empathetic and willing to help the ELL student. This person should sit near them in class and have the same lunch period so the ELL has someone to help them through the lunch line.

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Use oral testing. Allow students to explain what they DO know and give them credit for what they know.

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Allow students to do a project that demonstrates their knowledge.

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Reduce the number of terms or problems without omitting skills.

Reduce the number of multiple choice options.

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Give ELL students word banks.

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Speaking and listening skills often develop faster than reading and writing skills.

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Offer test retakes or test corrections.

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Use a strong English model with ELL students when doing TPS.
Can be used for literature studies, problem solving, reviewing content for tests.

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One student reads, and the other listens or take notes. They stop periodically to discuss and create a graphic organizer or other visual note-taking tool to study.
Works best to pair ELL with a strong reader.

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While the class is discussing, have ELL students script questions and answers with sample language interactions or situational dialogs related to the content.

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Identify skills to be practiced.
Introduce centers to students, making sure directions and expectations are clear and how students will be assessed. Display rules and expectations in the centers including rules about cleaning up. Model directions and expectations if possible.
Document the center work.
Sample Centers:
Listening center: have student listen to the story
Music center- student listens to songs that teach information or vocabulary
Games center- play games related to content being taught. One activity can be for groups/students to make a game and then other groups/students can play the game
Audio video center- student watches videos that teach content information
Story reenactment center- students work in groups and use props to retell the story or information they have learned
Art center- students illustrate key concepts or vocabulary

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Have ELL students mime, create a puppet show, create a script and read aloud with finger puppets, create a skit, create a rap or song, create an interview or story with costumes to demonstrate knowledge.
This could be used In ELA with a narrative or history with historical events.

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Information on Leveled Questioning

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Create predictable routines, procedures, and signals in order to reduce the anxiety of ELL students.
Examples:
Beginning of class activity
Post list of daily activities and times
Hang signals, light signals, verbal cues to get class's attention

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Use concurrent verbal explanation and physical demonstration of directions or concepts.
This is especially helpful with new concepts, science experiments, classroom or school procedures.

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Post assignments, page numbers, long-term assignments, homework, upcoming events.

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Identify key concepts and vocabulary. Gather any realia, visuals, or support materials that will help students understand the lesson. Introduce the important vocabulary and key concepts during the preview section of the lesson.

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Teaching:
Introduce motions
Encourage role-playing
Allow movement

Assessing:
Have students show, not tell
Encourage the use of role-play to document learning
Encourage the use of mime, dance, the invention of physical games to document learning

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Teaching:
Give opportunity for self-teaching, computer tutorials, internet, programmed learning (Rosetta Stone, Moby Max, flipped learning, etc.)

Assessing:
Use self-evaluation rubrics
Allow the student choices in ways to best show the learning
Encourage the use of self-made reports

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Teaching:
Encourage group work
Celebrate group skills
Teach process
Encourage reciprocal teaching

Assessing:
Encourage and use group evaluation reports

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Teaching:
Give reading/follow-up
Encourage additional reading/writing

Assessing:
Use written response activities
Oral reports
Dialogue journals
Learning logs

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Teaching:
Relate instruction to logical constructs
Relate instruction to math/logic puzzles

Assessing:
Have students design a math or logic game that shows that they have learned
Have students design "mind benders"

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Teaching:
Teach with rhythm, rap
Relate instruction to songs, poetry

Assessing:
Have students demonstrate understanding by writing a rap or song

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Teaching:
Teach with visuals, charts, and drawings

Assessing:
Have student make posters, charts, illustrations, dioramas, constructions

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Teaching:
Teach with examples from nature and real life

Assessing:
Ask students to connect the concept with examples from nature or real life, authentic examples (in writing, in charts or diagrams, or orally)

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Use manipulatives that students can move and handle to support their thinking and learning.

Examples of Manipulative Use:
Vocabulary
Miniatures, realia
Math
Counters, small props for acting out word problems, geometric shapes cut into fractional parts, measuring cups and containers for studying measurement
Science
Human body models, realia for experiments, magnets, etc.

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Give an abridged version or a summary of an extended text.

Add lines after each paragraph or add margins so that students can write a summary. For beginning learners, writing the summary yourself will help students comprehend the text better.

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Let students listen to a text while reading it. If they are listening individually on a device with headphones, they can rewind and repeat sections.

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Keep a portfolio of student's work and have them go back to previous pieces in portfolio to revise as they become more proficient in English.

Grade portfolios with rubrics or checklists.

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Keep running records of student's work so that you can track growth.

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Build a supportive classroom environment that responds to immediate social, cultural, and linguistic needs of linguistically diverse students.

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Sheltered instruction includes a language objective for each lesson/unit as well as content objectives.

Teachers will also consider what scaffolds and supports need to be in place for ELLs to be able to access information more easily.

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Activate prior knowledge and pre-teach key concepts and vocabulary to establish background knowledge.
Understand that some ELL students may not have the background knowledge that students who have grown up in US schools have.
Link new information to students' previous knowledge.

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Check frequently for understanding, but do not rely on Do you understand? Yes/No.
Have students summarize or paraphrase information to show what they know.
You will need to increase wait time because they are often internally translating, searching for the right words

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Preview content before reading with a "chapter walk."
Chapter Walk video from Colorin Colorado

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Use observation, checklists, and running records to keep track of student's progress.
Conference periodically to check in on student's goals and set new goals for a specific period of time.

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Scaffold writing through sentence frames. Give them the basic sentence template with correct syntax and let them fill in the blanks with information. Gradually reduce the number of words in the sentence frame so that they are writing more themselves.

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Scaffold writing through mentor texts, giving students exemplars to model their own sentences after. These mentor texts can introduce new sentence structures (using compound subjects, using compound verbs, etc.).
Mentor texts can also give examples of figurative language in ELA for students.

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Choose a few words per unit that students will need and teach them explicitly.
Give a brief, student-friendly definition of the word with examples and non-examples if applicable.

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After students have been provided with a student-friendly definition, examples and non-examples, students can:
Create their own explanation of a word
Create a non-linguistic representation of the word
Use the word in context

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There are often too many words in the text to teach; the key is to choose which to teach for mastery (being able to use the word in speaking or writing), which to teach for exposure (being able to recognize and understand the word when reading or listening), and which not to teach at all.

Use these guidelines when selecting vocabulary.
Will the word significantly impact the text's meaning?
Will it help students express their understanding of ideas or concepts they're learning?
Will it likely appear often in other texts?
Can you connect it to students' previous learning?
Will it be useful to students in their own writing?

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Here are some links to graphic organizers students can use for new academic vocabulary:

Academic Vocabulary Log
Concept Map

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Post a daily agenda that lists key activities students will do that require them to listen, speak, read, and write. Describe these activities in action verbs. (Ex: Identify four games that settlers played)

List of Action Verbs for ELLs

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In addition to explicitly teaching and displaying vocabulary, teachers should also identify key terms, words, idioms, and phrases that are needed to learn and engage with the subject matter.
T-Terms
W-Words
I- Idioms
P- Phrases

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Provide multiple opportunities for students to practice new vocabulary. Research shows it takes a minimum of 20 repetitions for students to start to "own" new vocabulary.

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Identify unfamiliar words in reading selections.
Write the unfamiliar words on chart paper and explore their meanings orally.
Have the students act out the words whenever possible.
Introduce synonyms and add them to the word collection with the original word.
Provide the student with vocabulary journals and challenge them to find ways to use the new words.

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Identify language objectives (What are the language demands of this particular lesson? What are the language levels of my students? Use the Language in the Classroom checklist to record the functions students use)
Identify and model problematic structures.
Plan an instructional sequence.
Assess and document student progress.
Add technology so that students can practice independently.

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Identify a problematic sentence.

Write the sentence on a sentence strip, read the sentence aloud, cut the sentence apart in places of difficulty (Example: "She was wearing a sweater green" - cut out sweater and green).

Rearrange the words in correct order.

Practice more sentences with the same pattern.

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When possible, allow students to preview information in their home language. It will help build background. They can also learn key vocabulary during the preview phase.

They will view the information in English during the class lesson.

ELLs will review the material with the teacher. This is when teachers can provide additional instructional supports for ELLs in order to make the information more comprehensible.

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Use leveled readings thats that all students are able to meet objectives but the tasks don't look different.

For Level 1 students, have a short text with a graph or other visual to help them understand the text.

Newsela is a good resource for leveled readings

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When talking to ELL students, especially Level 1 and 2 students, speak clearly, using a normal tone and a slightly slower speed.
Avoid slang, complex structures, sarcasm, and colloquial language.
Repeat, reword, paraphrase, and summarize as needed.
Check frequently for understanding by having students repeat or summarize what you have said. Don't rely on yes/no or do you understand?

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Look at the wording of test questions and answers. Modify tests by using simple language. ELLs often know the material but cannot understand what they are really being asked or what the answer choices mean. Questions and answer choices should be concise and easy to read; you don't have to sacrifice the content to modify the questions.

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Rather than correcting students' errors when they are speaking, model the correct way to say it.
Instead of, "No, it's not I seen a movie this weekend."
Say, "You saw a movie this weekend? I saw a movie this weekend!"
If students are constantly being corrected, they may start to be hesitant to speak. Modeling the correct language, even writing the correct way to say it on the board, helps students to internalize the grammar structure without feeling embarrassed.

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Pathways to Greatness for ELL Newcomers by

Promoting Academic Success for ESL Students by

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UPDATED June 2019!

Summer is here! Well, at least in the northern hemisphere... Time to stock up on summer reads for your middle graders!

There is something for everyone on this extensive list of multicultural middle-grade novels!

50+ Multicultural Middle-Grade Novels for Summer Reading

African & African American

When brothers Caleb and Bobby Gene meet their cool new neighbour, Styx Malone, they are in for a mad adventure. Styx convinces them to join in the Great Escalator Trade: Exchanging one small thing for something better in the hope of ending up with a motorbike. But soon things get out of control. The Season Of Styx Malone is a heartwarming novel about friendship, trust, and the yearning to escape the ordinary.

11-year-old Genie and his older brother Ernie are leaving Brooklyn for the very first time to spend the summer with their grandparents in rural Virginia. It is a time full of surprises for Genie and learning about himself and his family: From finding out that his grandfather is blind to discovering his secret room to learning that bravery can mean different things. Just published this month, As Brave As You Are is a thoughtful and gentle middle-grade novel by Coretta Scott King/Johnson Steptoe Award-winner Jason Reynolds (When I Was the Greatest).

All twelve-year-old Shayla wants is to make it through seventh grade with her best friendships intact, learn to run track, and have a cute boy see past her giant forehead. But in junior high, she's suddenly questioning who her best friends are and some people at school are saying she's not black enough. Through her sister, she starts getting involved in the Black Lives Matter movement and soon has to decide to do what's right. A Good Kind Of Trouble is a funny and big-hearted debut novel about family, friendship and standing up for what is right.

Brown Girl Dreaming is a deeply personal and touching account of the author's childhood as an African American girl in the 1960's and 1970's. Growing up in South Carolina and New York, she becomes increasingly aware of the Civil Rights Movement. In poetic language full of imagery this award-winning book gives a glimpse into a child's soul and her journey of self-discovery.

After the death of his mother, 11-year-old Langston and his father move from Alabama to Chicago's Bronzeville district. Everything is different here and Langston misses his home, his family and his friends. Being bullied at his new school and not seeing much of his father, Langston feels lonely in the big and noisy city. The library becomes his safe place and this is where he discovers the Langston his mother named him after. Finding Langston is a lyrical novel about one boy's experiences during the Great Migration.

12-year-old Caroline Murphy struggles with being bullied by students and teachers alike at her small school on St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands, a spirit that keeps following her, and the fact that her mother left home one day and never came back. When Caroline befriends Kalinda, a new student from Barbados, she soon realizes that her feelings for her are more than platonic. Although those feelings are not being reciprocated, Kalinda wants to help Caroline look for her missing mother and so the girls set out in a hurricane to find her before it is too late. Award-winning Hurricane Child is a moving and suspenseful coming-of-age novel that young readers will love.

More Caribbean books: 36 Children's Books set in the Caribbean

13-year-old Muchoki and his little sister Jata have lost almost everything: Political violence has destroyed their Kenyan village and killed their father. Now living in an overcrowded refugee camp with their ailing mother, the siblings are faced with hunger and fears about the future. Driven by both hope and desperation, Muchoki and Jata set off on a brave, seemingly impossible journey, walking hundreds of kilometers to find their last remaining family. Walking Home is an inspiring and moving story about loss and forgiveness, perseverance and hope.

Imani is adopted and she knows exactly what she wants as her big bat mitzvah gift: to find her birth parents. Being Black in her mostly White Jewish community, she has always wondered where she came from. When her great-grandma Anna passes away, Imani discovers her old diary from 1941, the year she was twelve and fled Nazi-occupied Luxembourg alone. Anna's diary records her journey to America and her new life with an adoptive family of her own. As Imani reads the diary, she begins to see her family, and her place in it, in a whole new way. The Length Of A String is a gripping novel about identity, family and belonging.

Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence in the face of racism and social injustice. This classic masterpiece focuses on Cassie Logan, an independent girl who discovers why having land of their own is so crucial to the Logan family, and learns to draw strength from her own sense of dignity and self-respect.

Twelve-year-old Ann understands there is only one thing to be grateful for as a slave: having her family together. But when the master plans to sell her and her younger brother to two different owners, the family decides to run away on the Underground Railroad. Will they survive the dangerous trip to their freedom in the North? Ann Fights For Freedom is a compelling read with expressive illustrations.

More historical fiction: African American Historical Fiction for Middle School

Seventh-grader Jordan Banks' passion is drawing cartoons about his life. He'd love to go to art school but his parents decide to send him to a prestigious private school known for its academics instead. Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds. New Kid is an engaging graphic novel about fitting in and staying true to yourself.

"Like lightning / you strike /fast and free / legs zoom / down field / eyes fixed / on the checkered ball / on the goal / ten yards to go / can't nobody stop you..." In this follow-up to award-winning The Crossover, twelve-year-old Nick struggles with problems at home, is faced with a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. With the help of his best friend and inspiring books given to him by a rapping librarian, Nicky learns about the power of words and how to stand up for himself. Booked is an exciting and heartfelt novel-in-verse about soccer, family, love and friendship.

One night 11-year-old Stella and her brother witness a Ku Klux Klan meeting in the North Carolina woods. For the African American siblings, living in the South is a dangerous, scary and often humiliating experience. Stella by Starlight is a gripping and realistic portrayal of life in the segregated South during the Great Depression.

In an old attic in Lambert, South Carolina, Candice finds a letter addressed to her grandmother, who left the town in shame. The letter tells of an injustice that happened decades ago, a mystery and the fortune awaiting the person who solves the puzzle. Together with her friend Brandon, Candice embarks on a journey that leads deep into Lambert's dark history, and deeper into their own families, with their own unspoken secrets. The Parker Inheritance is a powerful novel about racism, justice and friendship.

More books about racism: 37 Children's Books to help talk about Racism & Discrimination

Generations ago, twins, black cats, and other potentially magical beings were outlawed in the kingdom of Kaloon. So from birth, twins Flissa and Sara had to pretend to be one princess, Flissara. But when a magical attack puts their mother's life in danger, the girls must break the rules that have protected them to save her. They set off on an epic quest to the Twists-a forbidden place full of dark magic-to find the evil mage who cursed the queen. The first book in a new series, Twinchantment brings to life a fantastical world of sisterhood, adventure, and incredible twists.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham
by Christopher Paul Curtis

Meet the "Weird Watsons": 10-year-old Kenny, his mom, dad, little sister Joetta and older brother Byron. When Byron gets into too much trouble, the family drives to Alabama to visit Grandma, the one person who can shape him up. It's 1963, and little does the family know that they are heading straight into one of the most horrific moments in America's history: the bombing of a church that killed four little girls. Award-winning The Watsons Go To Birmingham is both hilarious and heartbreaking - a modern classic that every middle grader should read.

Because of his disruptive antics and pranks, Thelonius Mitchell is in special ed, separated from the "normal" kids at school who don't have any "issues." When a gun is found at a neighbourhood hangout, Thelonius and his pals become instant suspects and they must find the real culprits in order to prove their innocence. The Usual Suspects is an engaging and honest middle-grade thriller that young readers won't want to put down.

One Crazy Summer is the first book of Williams-Garcia's award-winning trilogy about three resilient young sisters in the late 60's. Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern travel to Oakland in 1968 to spend the summer with their mother who abandoned them seven years earlier. They receive a cold welcome from their mother, a dedicated poet and printer, and are being sent to the Black Panther's day center every day. This heartfelt, funny and thought-provoking novel addresses two difficult subjects: The controversial Black Panther Party, and a mother who leaves her children behind.

The other books in the trilogy: P.S. Be Eleven // Gone Crazy in Alabama

Asian & Asian American

Another fantastic brand new release! In times of the anti-Iran sentiments of the 1970s, fitting in has become even more difficult for brainy loner Zomorod Yousefzadeh. Her family has just moved again, this time to Newport Beach, California, and she is determined to fit in, even changing her name to all-American Cindy. It Ain't So Awful, Falafel is a moving yet lighthearted middle-grade novel from the author of best-selling Funny in Farsi.

After India has been divided into two countries (India and Pakistan), 12-year-old half-Muslim/half-Hindu Nisha doesn't know where she belongs anymore. Her family embarks on a dangerous journey to find a new home. Told through Nisha's letters to her late mother, The Night Diary is a poignant story of loss, identity and hope.

More books set in Pakistan: 15 Children's Books set in Pakistan

Instead of spending her holidays at the beach, Californian girl Mai has to accompany her grandmother to Vietnam. Her parents are hoping that the trip will connect their out-of-touch daughter with her roots, but Mai struggles with the foreign country and its culture. Bestselling Listen, Slowly is an irresistible and poignant story about the true meaning of home, culture, family and friends. The paperback edition includes a letter from the author, a Vietnamese glossary and a pronunciation guide.

Ten-year-old aspiring writer Mia Tang manages the front desk of a motel where her immigrant parents clean the rooms. If the mean motel owner, Mr Yao, finds out they've been letting other immigrants stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Featuring an irresistible protagonist, award-winning Front Desk is an engaging middle-grade novel about immigration, poverty and resilience.

More books about immigration: 30 Multicultural Picture Books about Immigration

Save Me A Seat is told from the points of view of Ravi, who recently arrived in the US from India, and Joe, whose best friend has just moved away. Both boys attend Fifth Grade at the same school and - each in their own way - struggle to acclimatise to the new situation. Over the course of a single crazy week, they find out that they have more in common than they thought: Dillon Samreen, the school's biggest bully. Together Ravi and Joe try to take control of their lives. Released earlier this month, this is an authentic middle grade novel about fitting in and staying true to yourself.

Abandoned by their father, sisters Soledad and Ming from the Philippines live in Louisiana with their evil stepmother. All they have is the stories their deceased mother used to tell them about the travels of her magical sister. The stories give the sisters hope, but for little Ming they also blur the lines between fact and fiction. Sol needs to find a way to pull her sister back into reality. Mixing fantasy and realism, The Land of Forgotten Girls is an enchanting middle-grade novel about sisterhood, hope and the power of imagination.

Lou Bulosan-Nelson plans to build a tiny house on land she inherited from her dad. She longs for a place where she can escape her lovable but crazy extended Filipino family. But then she finds out that the land may not be hers for much longer. With Lou's determination and the help of friends and relatives, her dream eventually begins to take shape. The House That Lou Build is a warm coming-of-age story about culture and family, forgiveness and friendship.

More books about friendship: 18 Multicultural Children's Books about Friendship

11-year-old Ema is looking forward to the arrival of her baby sibling. Finally, someone who will understand how it feels to be half American and half Japanese. But spending the summer with her grandparents in Japan is difficult for Ema: Her harsh grandmother, her mother's tricky pregnancy, and then their stay is extended and she must attend a new school, once again not fitting in. When the tragedy of 9/11 strikes an ocean away, and her grandfather falls ill, Ema feels more helpless than ever and learns about the tender side and the strength of her grandmother. Entirely written in free-verse, Somewhere Among is a heartfelt debut middle-grade novel about family, loneliness and hope.

In 1977, 11-year-old Zhongmei travelled for several days to attend the open auditions of the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy. Against all odds, the poor country girl beat out 60,000 other girls, became a famous dancer, and made her New York debut with her own dance company when she was in just her late 20s. Written by Zhongmei's husband, A Girl Named Faithful Plum is a fascinating account of one girl's journey from the remote farmlands of China to the world's stages.

More books about female artists: 40 Multicultural Children's Books About Fabulous Female Artists

Chinese-American Cilla Lee-Jenkins has already written a "Bestseller" and a "Classic"―now it's time for her to write an Epic Story. Epics are all about brave heroes overcoming struggles to save the world, and this year, Cilla is facing her toughest struggles yet: She is in fifth grade and, unlike her classmates, not at all ready to start middle school; she has to look after two younger sisters who don't get along, and her beloved grandfather YeYe has had a stroke and forgotten his English. With humour, heart and a lovable main character, Cilla Lee-Jenkins: The Epic Story will appeal to young readers entering middle school, especially aspiring young writers.

After her father and younger brother were killed in accident, Cedar and what's left of her family are spending the summer in Iron Creek. The Asian American girl befriends local boy Leo who introduces her to the renowned Summerlost theatre festival. Cedar gets a job at the festival and soon finds herself surrounded by mysteries: That of a deceased Hollywood actress haunting the halls of Summerlost, and that of the strange gifts Cedar keeps receiving. Summerlost is a tender and touching middle grade novel about processing loss and finding friendship.

Hispanic & Hispanic American

11-year-old Celeste lives a peaceful life among family, friends and neighbours in the idyllic seaside town of Valparaiso, Chile. But her world is turned upside down when one day warships arrive, and classmates start disappearing without an explanation. Celeste doesn't quite understand but she knows that no one is safe anymore. Celeste's parents have to go into hiding and send Celeste to America to protect her. Based on true events during Pinochet's dictatorship, I Lived on Butterfly Hill is a heart-rending historical fiction novel about exile and reunification, loss and hope.

Island Treasures is a collection of autobiographical stories from renowned author Alma Flor Ada, offering a moving glimpse into her childhood in Cuba. The book features Ada's award-winning books 'Where the Flame Trees Bloom' and ' Under the Royal Palms' as well as five new stories, family photos and a Spanish/English glossary. The poignant and often humorous stories bring to life some of the important people in Ada's life, from her blind great-grandmother with her wisdom and generosity to her brave aeroplane-flying Uncle Medardo, from music-loving worker Samoné to Ada's beloved and supportive dance teacher.

Twelve-year-old Güero is a Mexican American border kid with red hair, light skin and freckles. He is a book, game and music nerd and has just started 7th grade with a woke English teacher who knows how to make poetry cool. They Call Me Güero is a vibrant novel-in-poems about growing up between two cultures.

"'Nobody believed me when I said two skunks stole my old trike. But I'd seen those stinkers take it. Swear.' When Fourth Grader Mateo Martinez insists that two talking skunks stole his old trike, his family believes he was only dreaming, as he also constantly dreams of being a medieval knight. But that's not all that's difficult in Mateo's life: He has to deal with bullies at school, with Johnny not being his best friend anymore and with developing his new friendship with Indian American Ashwin. And above all, he struggles with his Mexican American identity. The Midnight War of Mateo Martinez is a funny and action-packed middle-grade novel with a touch of fantasy, a story about growing up and letting go.

Growing up in the rough South Bronx, Sonia Sotomayor dreamed of becoming a lawyer and a judge. Her determination, along with the guidance from mentors and the love of her extended Puerto Rican family, propelled her forward until her dream eventually came true. She became the first Latina and the third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor is the middle-grade adaptation of this inspiring woman's memoir. Includes an 8-page photo insert and a brief history of the Supreme Court.

When Sal Vidon and Gabi Real meet for the first time, it isn't under the best of circumstances. Sal is in the principal's office for allegedly putting a raw chicken in Yasmany's locker (that has since magically disappeared), and Gabi, student council president and editor of the school paper, is there to support her friend Yasmany. Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician. When Gabi learns that he's capable of conjuring things much bigger than a chicken-including his dead mother- and she takes it all in stride, Sal knows that she is someone he can work with. There's only one slight problem: their manipulation of time and space could put the entire universe at risk. Sal & Gabi Break The Universe is a hilarious and quirky novel that middle-graders won't be able to put down.

Daughter of undocumented Mexican immigrants, Jacinta Juarez doesn't know much about the world outside her barrio. When a well-known news anchorwoman becomes her mentor after reporting on her youth center, Jacinta finds herself caught between two cultures. She want to embrace a better future but also longs for the comfort of her family and the barrio. When her family is torn apart, Jacinta needs to find her own strength to pick up the pieces. Look Both Ways in the Barrio Blanco is a charming and authentic coming of age story, told with humour and sensitivity.

Sixth-Grader Merci Suarez and her older brother are the only scholarship students at their private school in Florida. They have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. Added to that Merci is being targeted by a jealous girl and at home, her beloved grandfather is acting increasingly strange. Merci feels very alone with her confusion and worry and tries to find her own way of navigating the difficult situation. Award-winning Merci Suárez Changes Gears is a heartfelt yet humorous coming-of-age novel about change, authenticity and family connection.

Set in 1981 during Guatemala's Civil War, this is the story of a young boy who has to flee when soldiers invade his village. Separated from his mother, Carlos joins a band of guerillas and tries to make his way to his grandmother's mountain village. Written entirely in free-verse, Caminar is a gripping and moving story of a young boy's loss, survival and growth.

In this follow-up of the instant hit Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble, Leonora Logroño has finally been introduced to her family's bakery bruja magic. But since her special power hasn't shown up yet, her family still won't let her perform her own spells, and they expect her to keep the family magic secret, even from her best friend Caroline. Suddenly spirits are popping up all over town, causing all sorts of trouble! Is this Leo's fault? And can she reverse the spell before it's too late? Love Sugar Magic: A Sprinkle Of Spirits is a charming book that middle-graders will love.

Initially, 12-year-old Lizzy is not keen on spending the summer with her grandmother in a remote village in New Mexico. But soon she enjoys her loving Nana's company and the enchanted atmosphere of a village frozen in time. Lizzy also starts to uncover the mystery surrounding her father who died before she was born. Tortilla Sun is a gentle story about family, friendship and dealing with the past.

11-year old Celi Rivera has lots to grapple with, from her changing body to her first crush and her best friend's exploration of gender fluidity. But most of all, she is dreading the looming arrival of her first period, because her mother insists on having a traditional Mexican moon ceremony. Told in verse, The Moon Within is a sensitive and humorous coming-of-age story that will appeal not only to young Latinas but girls everywhere.

Recently immigrated to the U.S., Lety Muñoz loves volunteering at the Furry Friends Animal Shelter because the dogs and cats there don't care how fast she can find the right word in English. When another volunteer sets up a secret competition to determine who will be the official shelter scribe, Lety is worried that if the shelter finds out, they'll kick her out of the program. And then she'll never be able to adopt her favourite shelter dog! Lety Out Loud is a touching story about compassion, empathy and living between two cultures.

10-year-old Fina Mendoza's mom just died. She and her older sister Gabby move to Washington, D.C. to live with Papa, a congressman from California. Fina loves riding the Capitol subways, grabbing snacks in congressional offices, and spending more time with Papa. But after she encounters a mysterious cat, a string of disasters follows, and Fina must solve the mystery of the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill. Welcome To Washington, Fina Mendoza is a fun read with a lovable protagonist that will appeal to middle-graders everywhere.

Junior, an aspiring cartoonist, leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school. Based on the author's own experiences, The Absolute True Diary of a Part-time Indian is a touching and funny middle grade novel about the contemporary adolescence of a Native American boy. Illustrated with poignant cartoon-style drawings.

12-year-old Willow Chance is obsessed with nature, diagnosing medical conditions, and counting by 7s. Struggling to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, she leads a quietly happy life, until both her parents die in an accident, leaving her alone in a confusing world. But Willow manages to push through her grief and find a substitute family. With a multicultural cast (Willow describes herself as a 'person of colour", her new family is of mixed Vietnamese, African American, and Mexican heritage), bestselling Counting by 7s is a moving middle grade novel about loss, resilience and the true meaning of family.

Written in the form of a notebook, The Unforgotten Coat chronicles the events of Julie's sixth-grade year many years ago. Two Mongolian brothers inexplicably appear one morning in her class in Liverpool, England. Chingis, the older brother, proclaims Julie as their "Good Guide" - a nomadic tradition of welcoming strangers to a new land -, and Julie must somehow navigate them through soccer, school uniforms, and British slang, whilst dealing with her own typical tween issues. A unique, moving and sometimes funny middle-grade novel about immigration and two brothers trying to survive.

12-year-old Malia convinces her friends Dot and Bree to start a babysitting club in order to earn funds for an epic birthday bash. But babysitting isn't exactly what they thought it would be... Best Babysitters Ever is a funny middle-grade novel about friendship, jealousy and first crushes.

Salt is a compelling middle grade novel about the friendship between children of settlers and a Native American tribe. In 1812 Anikwa and James spend their days fishing, trapping, and exploring the forests together. When tensions rise between the traders and the tribe, the two 12-year-olds face the heartbreaking decision where their deepest loyalties lie.

Another one about a friendship between children of settlers and native children, this time with girls as main characters. With rich historical detail, Blue Birds tells the story of two girls from two very different worlds: Alis belongs to a family of settlers from England, and Kimi to a native family of the Roanoke tribe. Despite the tensions between the settlers and the Native people, the two girls form an impossible friendship and risk their lives for one another.

When a string of dognappings grips her Denver neighbourhood, spunky Kazu Jones sets out to track down the culprits with the help of her gang, including her best friend and expert hacker, March; and her ginormous, socially anxious pup, Genki. With a diverse cast of characters and a suspenseful storyline, Kazu Jones and the Denver Dogsnappers is the first instalment in a new series.

*You can buy any of the books on this site from Amazon USA, CAN or UK by clicking on the book titles or covers*

More Multicultural Books for Middle School
African - Middle School Asian - Middle School Hispanic - Middle School Diverse - Middle School

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50+ Multicultural Middle Grade Novels for Summer Reading

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UPDATED June 2019! Summer is here! Well, at least in the northern hemisphere... Time to stock up on summer reads for your middle graders! There is something for everyone on this extensive list of multicultural middle-grade novels! African & African American When brothers Caleb and Bobby Gene meet their cool new neighbour, Styx Malone, they are in for a mad adventure.

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https://listenwise.com/

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Picture Word Inductive Model

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/larry-ferlazzo/larry-ferlazzo-picture-word-inductive-model

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Read a text or look at a picture
Brainstorm a list of vocabulary words
Write sentences using the vocabulary
Turn the sentences into a paragraph

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10 Ways to Build ELL Vocabulary Skills

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This article is the first in a two-part series on supporting ELL literacy, sponsored by Middlebury Interactive Languages
If you teach English-language learners, you know what a challenge it can be to keep vocabulary instruction fresh and engaging. That's why we recently asked educators in our WeAreTeachers Helpline group to share their favorite ways for growing ELL vocabulary in middle school. Here's what they had to say:
Want more support for your English-language learners? Find out more about Middlebury Interactive's exciting new curriculum focused on closing the ELL achievement gap.

1. Act it out: Shake up your usual vocabulary routine and get students out of their seats by playing a game of vocabulary charades. Write the words that you want to practice on index cards, and invite teams to take turns choosing a card and acting out the word.

2. Use word walls: Middle schoolers aren't too old for word walls! Try creating different walls or display areas based on some of their favorite topics (e.g., sports or movies) or categories related to surviving middle school (friendship words, cafeteria words).

3. Label everything: When you have English-language learners in your classroom, everything from your stapler to your pencil sharpener to your wall clock should be labeled. Get students involved: Have them create labels by cutting out and collaging pictures and words from magazines.

4. Use photographs: Written routines should include photographs to help reinforce the vocabulary words at hand. If you post instructions for turning in homework, for example, include a photograph of a student acting out each step.

5. Build words using play dough: Teacher Jill T. recommends giving each student a small container of play dough. Choose a vocabulary word, and challenge all students to make something that represents the word in under one minute. "Pick a winner from each side of the room, who then act as judges for the next round," says Jill. "Seventh and eighth graders still love play dough!"

6. Draw pictures: When learning new words, have students illustrate their own pictures or representations of the word. This combination of visual and verbal exercises can help kids retain new words more quickly. A fun variation is to have students make comic strips or books featuring their new vocabulary.

7. Teach Greek and Latin roots: It may be old-school, but there's no doubt that teaching word roots and origins is a fast path to understanding entire word families. Try having students create flow charts with the root at the top and all of the related words below. Or invite students to write a song explaining a word root and related vocabulary.

8. Focus on synonyms: Teaching synonyms is another quick way to build vocabulary in a deep, meaningful way. "If they have learned 'emblem,' they should also know 'emblematic' and 'badge,' 'banner,' 'coat of arms,' etc." says teacher Krista C.

9. Play word games: Word games like Hangman and 20 Questions are great for gaining English-language skills and reviewing concepts in your curriculum too. Try playing Ancient Egypt 20 Questions for example, where all the answers tie in to your study of that time period.

10. Partner with native speakers: You might ask students "what 20 words do you think all middle schoolers should know?" and have native speakers partner with English-language learners to create a presentation sharing their choices.

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10 Ways to Build ELL Vocabulary Skills - WeAreTeachers

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This article is the first in a two-part series on supporting ELL literacy, sponsored by Middlebury Interactive Languages. ​ If you teach English-language learners, you know what a challenge it can be to keep vocabulary instruction fresh and engaging. That's ...

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I'm Your Neighbor Organization

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I'm Your Neighbor, Welcome New Arrivals / New Americans with Books

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I'm Your Neighbor Books builds welcoming communities for New Arrivals and New Americans-using children's literature.