# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Explore Topics: Books and Activities for Reading, Exploring, and Learning About Our World

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Twenty-four kid-approved themes with related booklists, hands-on activities, ideas for writing, great kids’ websites, and interactive apps.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Peg + Cat Camp | Day 1 | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Peg and Cat are helping the Farmer today, and they have a lot of work to do! Today's activities include welcoming campers, introducing camp, sorting animals, collecting 100 chickens, planting vegetables, and solving some really big problems! Throughout the day, campers will practice counting and sorting.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Peg + Cat Camp | Day 2 | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Peg and Cat are need to help the animals cool off in the lake, but first, Peg needs to rescue Cat from the top of a tall tree! Today's activities include rescuing Cat from the top of a tree, getting the animals ready for the lake, and exploring the differences between objects that sink and float.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Community Helper Activities and Lesson Plans for Pre-K and Preschool - PreKinders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Community Helpers theme activities, lessons, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Transportation Activities and Lesson Plans for Pre-K and Preschool - PreKinders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Transportation theme activities, lessons, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Peg + Cat Camp | Day 3 | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Peg and Cat are helping the Farmer build his new barn today. In order to help him, they need to know a lot about shapes, colors, and positional words. Today's activities include building a barn with tangrams and blocks, painting a barn with primary and secondary colors, and playing with spatial relations sets.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Explore Topics: Books and Activities for Reading, Exploring, and Learning About Our World

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Twenty-four kid-approved themes with related booklists, hands-on activities, ideas for writing, great kids’ websites, and interactive apps.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pets Activities and Lesson Plans for Pre-K and Preschool - PreKinders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Pets theme activities, lessons, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten. Get 20 Pets Theme Printables in My Shop!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Explore Topics: Books and Activities for Reading, Exploring, and Learning About Our World

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Twenty-four kid-approved themes with related booklists, hands-on activities, ideas for writing, great kids’ websites, and interactive apps.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Explore Topics: Books and Activities for Reading, Exploring, and Learning About Our World

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Twenty-four kid-approved themes with related booklists, hands-on activities, ideas for writing, great kids’ websites, and interactive apps.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bugs Activities and Lesson Plans for Pre-K and Preschool - PreKinders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bug theme activities, lessons, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten. Get 20 Bug Theme Printables in My Shop!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Explore Topics: Books and Activities for Reading, Exploring, and Learning About Our World

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Twenty-four kid-approved themes with related booklists, hands-on activities, ideas for writing, great kids’ websites, and interactive apps.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Spark your preschoolers' imaginations with these fun printable nursery rhyme posters and activity cards! They are sure to put a smile on their faces as they explore the world of classic nursery rhymes.

Read the Terms of Use

Learning nursery rhymes in preschool is an important part of early childhood development. Nursery rhymes help children build language skills and gain an understanding of rhythm and rhyme.

By being exposed to nursery rhymes at an early age, children develop phonemic and phonological awareness which is essential for learning how to read. They also gain listening skills and learn to understand the meaning of words.

Nursery rhymes also provide a platform for creative expression. Children can act out the rhymes, sing them or make up their own versions. This helps to build confidence and encourages children to be creative in their play and exploration.

Nursery Rhyme Posters

These posters come in color and blackline. Use for poetry books, charts, posters, or other uses. These are the updated versions - the previous versions are below.
Click the buttons below to download and print.
See this complete list of all Nursery Rhyme posters available as well as Nursery Rhyme Book & Sequencing sets available.

Nursery Rhyme Cards

I made these cards for a nursery rhyme word game. Print and cut apart the cards. Each child in the group should have a set to use. First, call out the words for each card and have the children hold up each card (this familiarizes them with the cards). To play the game, slowly recite the nursery rhyme (you may want to pause at the key words). Each time the children hear one of the key words, they should hold up that card. Repeat the game as many times as the children are interested. When we play this game in my classroom, I have my own set of cards to use along with the children to help cue them when to hold up a card. Then, after they have seen me model the game a few times, I let them do it on their own.
Click each image below to download each set.
Don't miss the literacy resource page!

Also Available in My Shop...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Spark your preschoolers' imaginations with these fun printable nursery rhyme posters and activity cards! They are sure to put a smile on their faces as they explore the world of classic nursery rhymes. Read the Terms of Use Learning nursery rhymes in preschool is an important part of early childhood development.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Forest Activities and Lesson Plans for Pre-K and Preschool - PreKinders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Forest (Trees, Leaves, Forest Animals) theme activities, lessons, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Wild Animals Activities and Lesson Plans for Pre-K and Preschool - PreKinders

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Wild Animals theme activities, lessons, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This Three Billy Goats Gruff game will help your students learn and practice visual discrimination skills.

Visual discrimination is a very important skill for pre-readers to learn, and is a skill often forgotten in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Visual discrimination helps children distinguish between things that look similar, such as certain letters, numbers, and shapes.

Before children can read and write words, they must be able to discriminate between letters that look similar. Examples are the letters b, d, p, q. Other letters that could be confused are W and M. The numbers 6 and 9, 3 and 8, 1 and 7, 2 and 5, could easily be confused as well.

In this Three Billy Goats Gruff Game, children will look at the pictures on each page and determine what's different between the two pictures. You could display these pages on the computer projector if you want to do them as a whole group lesson (which would be a great way to introduce it). Or, print the cards to use as a small group or center activity.

Example cards:

On the card above, children would look at the two pictures (top and bottom), to see what is different about the pictures. The bottom picture has a bush on the left side that is not in the top picture. When preparing this set, I would not cut the cards apart on the line - I keep them together so that children can compare the top and bottom pictures.

In this picture (above), children would see that the goats in the top and bottom pictures are two different colors: gray and brown.

Download the Three Billy Goats Game
Download: Three Billy Goats Gruff Visual Discrimination Game
Note: This printable is FREE. Just click to download!

More Resources!

Available in my shop:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Billy Goats Gruff Visual Discrimination Game

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This Three Billy Goats Gruff game will help your students learn and practice visual discrimination skills. Visual discrimination is a very important skill for pre-readers to learn, and is a skill often forgotten in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Visual discrimination helps children distinguish between things that look similar, such as certain letters, numbers, and shapes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
These Pets same and different games will help pre-k and kindergarten kids practice and build visual discrimination skills. Children need visual discrimination skills to help them identify letters and numbers, as well as distinguish the difference between similar letter shapes such as p, q, b, d.

To play these visual discrimination games, just print these cards, laminate, and cut.

Children will take a card and look at all four pictures. They will find the one picture that is different (three pictures are the same). Children will mark the picture that's different with a manipulative.

You can use almost any manipulative to cover the picture that's different or you can have children clip the picture with a clothespin.

Manipulatives to use:

Clothespins

Plastic chips

Unifix cubes

Marker caps

Table scatter

Mini dog or cat erasers

Flat floral marbles

To download these same and different cards, click the download buttons below. There are two sets of dogs and two sets of cats. Each set has varying degrees of difficulty: some easy cards and some more difficult.

Note: These are free printables, just click to download.

Download the Dog Same & Different Cards:

Download the Cat Same & Different Cards:

Look here for more Visual Discrimination Printables!

Need more Pets Theme activities?

I have a big collection of printable math and literacy activities for a Pet Theme in my shop. There are 20 printable activities! Find out more about it by clicking this link: Pet Theme Printables. Be sure to click the Preview button on that page to see everything that's included!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pets Same and Different Games for Visual Discrimination

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These Pets same and different games will help pre-k and kindergarten kids practice and build visual discrimination skills. Children need visual discrimination skills to help them identify letters and numbers, as well as distinguish the difference between similar letter shapes such as p, q, b, d.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Here are some Transportation same and different cards to help kids build visual discrimination skills. These skills help children identify letters, numbers, and shapes, and distinguish the different between shapes, such as p, q, b, d and numbers like 6 and 9 or 3 and 8.

To prepare the activity, you will need to print the cards, laminate, and cut out each card.

Children will choose a card and look at the four pictures. Three of the pictures are the same and one picture is different. Children will find the picture that's different and mark it with a manipulative.

There are lots of manipulatives you can use with these cards.

Manipulatives to use:

Plastic chips

Marker caps

Clothespins

Table scatter

Unifix cubes

Mini shaped erasers

Flat floral marbles

To download these same and different cards, click the download buttons below. There are two sets: one set has cars only and the other set has a variety of vehicles. Each set has varying degrees of difficulty: some easy cards and some more difficult.

Note: These are free printables, just click to download.

Download the Car Same & Different Cards:
Download: Cars Same and Different Set
Download the Transportation Same & Different Cards:
Download: Transportation Same and Different Set
Look here for more Visual Discrimination Printables!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here are some Transportation same and different cards to help kids build visual discrimination skills. These skills help children identify letters, numbers, and shapes, and distinguish the different between shapes, such as p, q, b, d and numbers like 6 and 9 or 3 and 8.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This Owl Same and Different Game helps kids practice visual discrimination skills in preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten. Children need visual discrimination skills to help them identify letters and numbers, as well as distinguish the difference between similar letter shapes such as p, q, b, d.

This activity works great with a Forest Animals Theme.

To prepare the set, just print out the cards (see download below) and cut them apart. There are four cards per sheet. I highly recommend cutting the cards apart. Leaving all four on one sheet would be visually confusing for the kids. Laminate them if you choose.

Each card has four pictures: three are the same and one is different. To play the game, children will take a card and look at all four pictures. They will find the one picture that is different, and mark the picture that's different with a manipulative.

You can use almost any manipulative to cover the picture that's different or you can have children clip the picture with a clothespin.

Manipulatives to use:

Clothespins

Plastic chips

Unifix cubes

Marker caps

Table scatter

Mini erasers

Flat floral marbles

To download these same and different cards, click the download buttons below. There are 12 cards in this set. Each set has varying degrees of difficulty: some easy cards and some more difficult.

Download the Owl Same & Different Cards:
Download the Game
Note: These are free printables, just click to download.

Look here for more Visual Discrimination Printables!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Owl Same and Different Game: Visual Discrimination Skills

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This Owl Same and Different Game helps kids practice visual discrimination skills in preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten. Children need visual discrimination skills to help them identify letters and numbers, as well as distinguish the difference between similar letter shapes such as p, q, b, d. This activity works great with a Forest Animals Theme.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Here is a printable Animal Tracks Book and set of Matching Cards that will be perfect in your Science Center during a Forest Animals theme in the Fall. This was created with Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten kids in mind.

Children will use this emergent reader book to learn about the animal tracks of different forest animals, and then use the card set to match the animal tracks to the animal.

There is a printable book and card set in full color with real photos of the animals. I also made a blackline set for those teachers who need to save ink.

I set this up in my Science Center with both the book and cards in a basket. If children need help matching the animals to their tracks, they can use the book as a reference.

Directions:

Print out the book and cut each page in half on the gray line. To make it more durable, print on card stock paper and laminate. You can bind these books with a stapler, binding machine, or with metal or plastic rings. Print the card set and cut out on the lines.

Download the Animal Tracks Book & Cards

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

More Resources from My Shop:

Helpful Links:

The following links are free resources here at PreKinders.

Forest Animals Theme Unit: Find tons of Forest Animal activities for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten - this theme is great for Fall!

Squirrel Play Dough Mats: Use these printable mats to practice counting while using with fine motor muscles!

Books about Forest Animals for Kids: Lots of books for this theme with activities to go with them.

Forest Animal Picture-Word Cards: Free printable picture-word cards for learning vocabulary and to place in your Writing Center.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here is a printable Animal Tracks Book and set of Matching Cards that will be perfect in your Science Center during a Forest Animals theme in the Fall. This was created with Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten kids in mind.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This printable book of the Five Senses helps kids think about how they use each of their senses. You can use this book as a review after teaching the senses, or discuss each one as the children create the pages.

Here's how I used the Five Senses book with my class:

I first showed the kids each page and read the words to them. I did this at small group, so I had about 5-6 children with me. We talked about how we use each of our senses, and brainstormed ideas for each page together.

Then I gave them crayons and their books. We started on page one together, "I can see with my eyes." (It really doesn't matter which page is first.)

I asked the children to tell me what they planned to draw (for example, a rainbow), and I wrote that in the blank on their book. We did the same with each page.

After the first page, I let the children go at their own pace. Some kids draw faster than others, so I didn't make them wait. That also helped me, because I could only write in one child's book at a time.

It was interesting the see each child's ideas, and many were really clever for their age.

I had one child who said,
"I can see chicken.
I can taste chicken.
I can smell chicken.
I can hear chickens.
I can touch chicken."

Download the Five Senses Book:
Five Senses Book
Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

More Five Senses Resources:

Find more Five Senses Activities here!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This printable book of the Five Senses helps kids think about how they use each of their senses. You can use this book as a review after teaching the senses, or discuss each one as the children create the pages.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children can bring these field trip checklists along on a nature walk or field trip, and mark off each item they find.

You can also use these after the field trip as a recall activity. Clip the page to a clipboard for each child if you are using them on-the-go, or if you don't have enough clipboards available, staple the sheet to a piece of construction paper or card stock paper. Since many children typically want to leave no picture unmarked, they might enjoy drawing an X over the pictures of things they did not see.

Nature Walk Checklist

These are some ways your children might enjoy marking the checklist:

draw a check mark over the picture

circle the picture

stamp each picture with a bingo marker

stick a dot sticker over the picture

Click the images below to download the printables.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children can bring these field trip checklists along on a nature walk or field trip, and mark off each item they find. You can also use these after the field trip as a recall activity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children can bring these field trip checklists along on a nature walk or field trip, and mark off each item they find.

You can also use these after the field trip as a recall activity. Clip the page to a clipboard for each child if you are using them on-the-go, or if you don't have enough clipboards available, staple the sheet to a piece of construction paper or card stock paper. Since many children typically want to leave no picture unmarked, they might enjoy drawing an X over the pictures of things they did not see.

Nature Walk Checklist

These are some ways your children might enjoy marking the checklist:

draw a check mark over the picture

circle the picture

stamp each picture with a bingo marker

stick a dot sticker over the picture

Click the images below to download the printables.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children can bring these field trip checklists along on a nature walk or field trip, and mark off each item they find. You can also use these after the field trip as a recall activity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children can bring these field trip checklists along on a nature walk or field trip, and mark off each item they find.

You can also use these after the field trip as a recall activity. Clip the page to a clipboard for each child if you are using them on-the-go, or if you don't have enough clipboards available, staple the sheet to a piece of construction paper or card stock paper. Since many children typically want to leave no picture unmarked, they might enjoy drawing an X over the pictures of things they did not see.

Nature Walk Checklist

These are some ways your children might enjoy marking the checklist:

draw a check mark over the picture

circle the picture

stamp each picture with a bingo marker

stick a dot sticker over the picture

Click the images below to download the printables.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children can bring these field trip checklists along on a nature walk or field trip, and mark off each item they find. You can also use these after the field trip as a recall activity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Introduce the concept of sequencing in Pre-K by making the sequence all about them. Children can sequence their morning routine - what they do before they get to school - to make the activity more meaningful and help them understand the concept.

Download the sequencing cards at the link below, and print, cut out, and laminate them. Make sure the children understand what each picture represents. Have the children use these cards to sequence their morning routine. After they wake up, what do they do first? Eat breakfast or wash their face? Each child's sequence will be slightly different, according to their family's morning routine. This set has 8 sequencing cards. Older children should be able to sequence all 8 cards, but you may want to limit the cards to 4 for younger children. (I tried to find more multicultural photos for these cards, but these are all that were available.)
Download: Sequencing Cards

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Introduce the concept of sequencing in Pre-K by making the sequence all about them. Children can sequence their morning routine - what they do before they get to school - to make the activity more meaningful and help them understand the concept. Download the sequencing cards at the link below, and print, cut out, and [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This set of 19 Farm Picture-Word Cards includes farmer, tractor, wheelbarrow, barn, pitchfork, sheep, chicken, eggs, cow, pig, donkey, goat, horse, cat, dog, cotton, corn, hay, and wheat.

There are more sets in the Picture-Word Cards collection. Be sure to check out the other sets at the link! This set goes with my Farm Theme.

How to use the word cards:

There are a few ways you can use these picture-word cards and display them.

Use these cards in a pocket chart in your writing center, on a word wall, or make a picture dictionary. You can also use the cards in Pre-K "Writer's Workshop". Place these cards on a table with some paper and markers. Offer it as an option for those children who are ready to copy words on their paper. Many children will be interested in trying it out.

You can make picture dictionaries by punching a hole in the top left corner (punch hole dot provided). Hook them together with a metal binder ring.

You might also want to put them in the pocket chart during the farm theme unit, then later hook them on a picture dictionary ring to add to a collection of thematic words through the year.

You can use these cards to practice clapping or stomping the syllables in the words.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian), or use them for modeled writing activities.

Download the Farm Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

Available in my shop:

Find more Farm Activities for Pre-K on the category page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This set of 19 Farm Picture-Word Cards includes farmer, tractor, wheelbarrow, barn, pitchfork, sheep, chicken, eggs, cow, pig, donkey, goat, horse, cat, dog, cotton, corn, hay, and wheat. There are more sets in the Picture-Word Cards collection. Be sure to check

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This set of Body Parts Picture-Word Cards includes arm, elbow, wrist, hand, thumb, finger, fingernails, head, ear, eye, hair, lips, teeth, tongue, nose, legs, knee, ankle, foot, toes, shoulders, stomach, neck. Many young children don't know words like wrist, ankle, elbow, etc. so these cards can teach kids new vocabulary.

These could be used during an All About Me theme. This set has 23 word cards.

Find more word card sets in the Picture Word Cards collection.

How to use the word cards:

There are a few ways you can use these picture-word cards and display them.

Have fun by using these word cards while playing games, such as Simon Says ("Simon says touch your elbow", etc.). Or pretend your fingers are an ant by "walking" your fingers to different parts of the body ("An ant crawled up your ankle").

You can make picture dictionaries by punching a hole in the top left corner (punch hole dot provided). Hook them together with a metal binder ring.

You can place the cards in a pocket chart. Kids can take the words out of the pocket chart to take to the table if they want to copy the word on their paper. I keep a pocket chart on the wall of my Writing Center and change out the word cards for each theme.

You might also want to put them in the pocket chart during the theme, then later hook them on a picture dictionary ring to add to a collection of thematic words through the year.

You can use these cards to practice clapping or stomping the syllables in the words.

The blank set of cards has the picture without the word. These can be used for other languages or other writing styles, such as D'nealian.

Download the Parts of the Body Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This set of Body Parts Picture-Word Cards includes arm, elbow, wrist, hand, thumb, finger, fingernails, head, ear, eye, hair, lips, teeth, tongue, nose, legs, knee, ankle, foot, toes, shoulders, stomach, neck. Many young children don't know words like wrist, ankle, elbow, etc. so these cards can teach kids new vocabulary.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This set of Emotion Picture-Word Cards includes happy, angry, afraid, surprised, excited, silly, sad, and worried. This set has 8 word cards.

Find more word cards in the Picture-Word Card collection.

I prefer to use picture-word cards in a pocket chart near my writing center. That way, the children can take them out of the pocket chart and take them to the table if they want to copy the words onto their paper. The children know to return the card back to the pocket chart when they are finished. They can also use the cards to spell words with magnetic letters or letter tiles.

More ideas for using these cards:

Hook them together on a binder ring to make a picture dictionary.

Use them on a word wall.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian), or use them for modeled writing activities.

Click the link to find more Picture-Word Card collections.

Download the Emotion Word Cards:

Another option of Emotion Cards. These are approximately 4.5 x 3 inches:
Emotion Cards: Size 4.5×3
Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

This printable uses graphics licensed by Scrappin Doodles.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This set of Emotion Picture-Word Cards includes happy, angry, afraid, surprised, excited, silly, sad, and worried. This set has 8 word cards. Find more word cards in the Picture-Word Card collection. I prefer to use picture-word cards in a pocket chart near my writing center.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
These Pond Life Picture Word Cards will work well with a Pond Life Theme. Included words are turtle, fish, duck, frog, tadpole, dragonfly, swan, alligator, salamander, snail, water bug, heron, lily pads, cattails. There are a total of 14 words.

Find more word card sets in the Picture Word Cards collection.

How to use the word cards:

During each theme we do in my classroom, I put a pocket chart of word cards related to our theme on the wall in our Writing Center area. The kids can take the word cards out of the pocket chart and take them to the table to copy them, if they choose. We also use them for large group activities, such as clapping the syllables in the words.

In case you want to make a little picture dictionary with the word cards, there are punch holes in the top left corner. Use a metal binder ring to hook the set of words together. The picture dictionaries save space in the classroom.

You might also want to put them in the pocket chart during the theme, then later hook them on a picture dictionary ring to add to a collection of thematic words through the year.

The blank set of cards has the picture without the word. These can be used for other languages or other writing styles, such as D'nealian.

Download the Pond Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

Letter Tile Cards

I also have these cards available as Pond Life Letter Tile Cards which are available on Teachers Pay Teachers. Click the image below to take a look...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These Pond Life Picture Word Cards will work well with a Pond Life Theme. Included words are turtle, fish, duck, frog, tadpole, dragonfly, swan, alligator, salamander, snail, water bug, heron, lily pads, cattails. There are a total of 14 words. Find more word card sets in the Picture Word Cards collection.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This set of printable pets picture-word cards includes 18 pet related words: dog, cat, fish, turtle, guinea pig, bird, hermit crab, rabbit, mouse, frog, snake, lizard, horse, vet, bone, food, collar, leash.

There are more sets in the Picture-Word Cards collection. I have added this Pet Word Cards set to go with my Pet Theme.

How to use the word cards:

There are a few ways you can use these picture-word cards and display them.

Use these cards in a pocket chart in your writing center, on a word wall, or make a picture dictionary. You can also use the cards in Pre-K "Writer's Workshop". Place these cards on a table with some paper and markers. Offer it as an option for those children who are ready to copy words on their paper. Many children will be interested in trying it out.

You can make picture dictionaries by punching a hole in the top left corner (punch hole dot provided). Hook them together with a metal binder ring.

You can use these cards to practice clapping or stomping the syllables in the words.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian), or use them for modeled writing activities.

Download the Pet Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable. Just click to download.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This set of printable pets picture-word cards includes 18 pet related words: dog, cat, fish, turtle, guinea pig, bird, hermit crab, rabbit, mouse, frog, snake, lizard, horse, vet, bone, food, collar, leash. There are more sets in the Picture-Word Cards collection. I have added this Pet Word Cards set to go with my Pet Theme.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's almost October already and we're heading into Fire Safety month. Today I have added a set of Fire Safety Word Cards to the Picture Word Cards collection. This set includes 18 words!

Using the cards in the classroom:

I have a pocket chart in my writing center, and I put the word cards in there. The pocket chart has the word card set that matches our current theme. If you wanted to keep all sets of word cards out all year, I would recommend making little picture dictionaries by hooking them together with binder rings or binding them with binding combs.

My prekinders take the word cards out of the pocket chart and take them to the table to copy onto their paper. It's simple to slip them back into the pockets when they're done.

You could also use the word cards to have children spell the words with magnetic letters or letter tiles.

More ideas for using these cards:

Use them on a word wall.

Hook them together on a binder ring to make a picture dictionary.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian). Or use them for modeled writing activities.

Click the link to find more Picture-Word Card collections.

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

This printable uses graphics licensed by Kate Hadfield, Scrappin Doodles, MyGrafico.

Use this set of Fire Safety Posters to teach fire safety tips to little ones. These are in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's almost October already and we're heading into Fire Safety month. Today I have added a set of Fire Safety Word Cards to the Picture Word Cards collection. This set includes 18 words! I have a pocket chart in my writing center, and I put the word cards in there.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
These Insect Picture Word Cards will work well with a Bug Theme. Included words are butterfly, caterpillar, ladybug, bee, ant, dragonfly, moth, mantis, cicada, beetle, grasshopper. There are a total of 11 words.

Find more word card sets in the Picture Word Cards collection.

How to use the word cards:

Use these cards in a pocket chart in a writing center.

Use them on a word wall.

Hook them together on a binder ring to make a picture dictionary.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian), or use them for modeled writing activities.

Download the Pond Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

Find more Bug Activities for Pre-K on the category page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These Insect Picture Word Cards will work well with a Bug Theme. Included words are butterfly, caterpillar, ladybug, bee, ant, dragonfly, moth, mantis, cicada, beetle, grasshopper. There are a total of 11 words. Find more word card sets in the Picture Word Cards collection. Use these cards in a pocket chart in a writing center.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This set of printable transportation word cards includes pictures and words for 26 vehicles: car, airplane, helicopter, motorcycle, bicycle, train, van, delivery truck, semi truck, truck, RV, boat, sailboat, sub, hot air balloon, ambulance, fire truck, mail truck, police car, tow truck, trash truck, dump truck, taxi, bus, school bus, space shuttle.

Here is a new set for the Picture-Word Cards collection. This set goes with my Transportation Theme.

How to use the word cards:

There are many ways you could use these cards. I use these cards in a pocket chart in my writing center. You can also use them on a word wall, or hook them together on a binder ring to make a picture dictionary. Offer it as an option for those children who are ready to copy words on their paper. Many children will be interested in trying it out.

You can also use the cards in Pre-K "Writer's Workshop". Place these cards on a table with some paper and markers.

You can make picture dictionaries by punching a hole in the top left corner (punch hole dot provided). Hook them together with a metal binder ring.

You might also want to put them in the pocket chart during the transportation theme unit, then later hook them on a picture dictionary ring to add to a collection of thematic words through the year.

You can use these cards to practice clapping or stomping the syllables in the words.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian), or use them for modeled writing activities.

Download the Transportation Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This set of printable transportation word cards includes pictures and words for 26 vehicles: car, airplane, helicopter, motorcycle, bicycle, train, van, delivery truck, semi truck, truck, RV, boat, sailboat, sub, hot air balloon, ambulance, fire truck, mail truck, police car, tow truck, trash truck, dump truck, taxi, bus, school bus, space shuttle.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This set of printable Community Helper Word Cards has 30 community helpers words with pictures: firefighter, mail carrier, police officer, doctor, paramedic, nurse, vet, dentist, pharmacist, construction worker, forest ranger, teacher, bus driver, crossing guard, custodian, coach, judge, librarian, life guard, military, meteorologist, reporter, mechanic, trash collector, baker, chef, farmer, plumber, grocer, hair stylist.

There are more sets like this in the Picture-Word Cards collection. This set goes with my Community Theme.

How to use the word cards:

There are a few ways you can use these picture-word cards and display them.

You can place the cards in a pocket chart. Kids can take the words out of the pocket chart to take to the table if they want to copy the word on their paper. I keep a pocket chart on the wall of my Writing Center and change out the word cards for each theme.

You can make picture dictionaries by punching a hole in the top left corner (punch hole dot provided). Hook them together with a metal binder ring.

You can use these cards to practice clapping or stomping the syllables in the words.

You might also want to put them in the pocket chart during the theme, then later hook them on a picture dictionary ring to add to a collection of thematic words through the year.

The blank set of cards has the picture without the word. These can be used for other languages or other writing styles, such as D'nealian.

Download the Community Helper Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This set of printable Community Helper Word Cards has 30 community helpers words with pictures: firefighter, mail carrier, police officer, doctor, paramedic, nurse, vet, dentist, pharmacist, construction worker, forest ranger, teacher, bus driver, crossing guard, custodian, coach, judge, librarian, life guard, military, meteorologist, reporter, mechanic, trash collector, baker, chef, farmer, plumber, grocer, hair stylist.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
These Rainforest Picture-Word Cards include 15 printable cards with rainforest/jungle animals: monkey, tree frog, lemur, poison dart frog, snake, toucan, parrot, hummingbird, tapir, kinkajou, quetzal, jaguar, macaw, blue morpho butterfly, sloth.

There are many more sets on the Picture Word Cards page. These cards go with my Rainforest Theme Unit.

How to use the word cards:

There are a few ways you can use these picture-word cards and display them.

Use these cards in a pocket chart in your writing center, on a word wall, or make a picture dictionary. You can also use the cards in Pre-K "Writer's Workshop". Place these cards on a table with some paper and markers. Offer it as an option for those children who are ready to copy words on their paper. Many children will be interested in trying it out.

You can make picture dictionaries by punching a hole in the top left corner (punch hole dot provided). Hook them together with a metal binder ring.

You might also want to put them in the pocket chart during the rainforest/jungle theme unit, then later hook them on a picture dictionary ring to add to a collection of thematic words through the year.

You can use these cards to practice clapping or stomping the syllables in the words.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian), or use them for modeled writing activities.

Download the Rainforest Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These Rainforest Picture-Word Cards include 15 printable cards with rainforest/jungle animals: monkey, tree frog, lemur, poison dart frog, snake, toucan, parrot, hummingbird, tapir, kinkajou, quetzal, jaguar, macaw, blue morpho butterfly, sloth. There are many more sets on the Picture Word Cards page. These cards go with my Rainforest Theme Unit.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These printable wild animal picture-word cards include mostly African safari animals, but a few other wild animals. There are 16 cards in all. Find more Wild Animal Activities for Preschool here! African animal cards include: lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, hyena, crocodile, ostrich, gazelle, baboon.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Here's a set of Ocean/Beach picture word cards that can go with an Ocean Theme Unit. This set includes 31 cards for the following words: fish, crab, lobster, shark, dolphin, whale, manatee, seal, manta ray, jellyfish, squid, octopus, sea turtle, eel, seahorse, starfish, anemone, coral, sand dollar, seashell, conch, clam, seagull, egret, buoy, lighthouse, ship, wave, water, sand, palm tree.

More picture-word cards can be found on the Picture Word Cards webpage.

Using the cards in the classroom:

These picture word cards are great for using in the writing center. Hook them together on binder rings or place them in a pocket chart.

Children can use the cards to practice writing words or they could also spell the words with magnetic letters or letter tiles.

Use them on a word wall.

Hook them together on a binder ring to make a picture dictionary.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian). Or use them for modeled writing activities.

Click the link to find more Picture-Word Card collections.

Download the Ocean Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

Find more Ocean Activities here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here's a set of Ocean/Beach picture word cards that can go with an Ocean Theme Unit. This set includes 31 cards for the following words: fish, crab, lobster, shark, dolphin, whale, manatee, seal, manta ray, jellyfish, squid, octopus, sea turtle, eel, seahorse, starfish, anemone, coral, sand dollar, seashell, conch, clam, seagull, egret, buoy, lighthouse, ship, wave, water, sand, palm tree.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This set of printable Garden Picture-Word Cards has 15 word cards, including wheelbarrow, watering can, hose, lawnmower, pots, seeds, tools, gloves, boots, clippers, trowel, flower, sun, rain. These cards are great for a writing center during a Garden Plants/Seeds theme unit.

Find more picture-word cards on the Picture-Word Cards page.

How to use the word cards:

Here are a few ways you can use these picture-word cards and display them in your classroom.

Use these cards in a pocket chart in your writing center, on a word wall, or make a picture dictionary. You can also use the cards in Pre-K "Writer's Workshop". Place these cards on a table with some paper and markers. Offer it as an option for those children who are ready to copy words on their paper. Many children will be interested in trying it out.

You can make picture dictionaries by punching a hole in the top left corner (punch hole dot provided). Hook them together with a metal binder ring.

You might also want to put them in the pocket chart during the theme unit, then later hook them on a picture dictionary ring to add to a collection of thematic words through the year.

You can use these cards to practice clapping or stomping the syllables in the words.

Use the blank set to write words in other languages or other writing styles (e.g. D'Nealian), or use them for modeled writing activities.

Download the Garden Word Cards:

Note: This is a free printable, just click to download.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This set of printable Garden Picture-Word Cards has 15 word cards, including wheelbarrow, watering can, hose, lawnmower, pots, seeds, tools, gloves, boots, clippers, trowel, flower, sun, rain. These cards are great for a writing center during a Garden Plants/Seeds theme unit. Find more picture-word cards on the Picture-Word Cards page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
ABC Song: 20 Second Nursery Rhymes | Dot's Spot | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Washing your hands is an important, healthy habit that helps to kill germs and prevents them from spreading. It is recommended to wash your hands with soap for twenty seconds. Remember to add more time for turning the water on and off, applying soap, rinsing and drying your hands.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Science Crafts for Kids: Engineer a Rocket Spaceship | Ready Jet Go! | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Engineer a rocket ship in this activity from Ready Jet Go! Using paper and string, your child will create a pulley system that sends a gliding rocket ship soaring through space.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Butterfly Life Cycle | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Students explore how butterflies change and grow throughout their life cycle in this interactive lesson from NATURE. Through captivating video content and interactive activities, students will discover the amazing transformation process from a tiny caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. For more resources from NATURE, check out the collection page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Animals Care for Their Young | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this interactive lesson, students learn that animals take care of their young in many of the same ways the adults in their lives take care of them. Students watch videos from NATURE and engage in a variety of activities to check understanding and reinforce learning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Animals and Plants Can Live in a City! | PBS LearningMedia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Guide students as they explore how animals and plants meet their basic needs in a city, with help from Plum and her friends from PLUM LANDING. In this interactive lesson, students learn that animals need air, food, water, and shelter, while plants need air, sunlight, and water.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
List of read aloud children's books. Great story time for toddlers and preschoolers to watch and follow along!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Unite for Literacy provides free digital access to picture books, narrated in many languages. Literacy is at the core of a healthy community, so we unite with partners to enable all families to read with their young children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
preschool community helpers books - YouTube

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Receive book suggestions, reading tips, educational activities, and great deals. Get 10% off your first order at the Scholastic Store Online when you sign up!

# data[].attributes.headline
READING A-Z: PRE/POST ASSESSMENTS/EL-SPECIFIC RESOURCES (NEED A SUBSCRIPTION)

# data[].attributes.subject
READING A-Z: PRE/POST ASSESSMENTS/EL-SPECIFIC RESOURCES (NEED A SUBSCRIPTION)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
ELL Edition | English Language Learners | Reading A-Z | Reading A-Z

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Award-winning reading solution with thousands of leveled readers, lesson plans, worksheets and assessments to teach guided reading, reading proficiency and comprehension to K-5 students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The summer is a great time to work with English language learners! During summer school, you can focus on individual student needs, help students catch up, and prepare them for the following school year. The time is short, though, so it's important that students spend as much time as possible in meaningful and engaging activities.

Here are some ideas to get you started, as well as tips for differentiating instruction since you are likely to work with students at varying levels. Most strategies are geared towards elementary ELLs, although many can be adapted for older students.

Student Age/Level

Before jumping into assessment and instruction, it's important to remember that lessons during the summer may need to be adjusted to the age/grade level of students. For example, a SIFE student who is 13 has much less time to "catch up" than someone who is 7. Summer school may be a good time to help assess and attend to some of those topics. The content and format of a summer school class must be developed for students based on age, educational background, and the time available. However, some basics still hold true:

Develop a shortened version of a schedule that mimics one at their grade level(s). For new arrivals, this will offer consistency and confidence when they know what to expect. For students with more U.S. educational experience, the structure may help with classroom management.

Differentiate instruction. You may have everything from non-speakers and students who have never been to school to students on the cusp of proficiency or limited-proficiency students with strong academic backgrounds.

Begin to familiarize students with academic content. Include mini-lessons or themes from one or two content areas, as well as note taking.

Informal Assessment

At the beginning of the summer, I usually assess the students rather than using a "canned" program each year and then focus on their particular needs during the rest of the program. The first step of that process is to review a brief form we receive about each child, completed by the child's ESL teacher. It includes the most important information that we need to know, including any valuable health information (allergies, if the student wears glasses, etc.) and a very brief description of the child's English ability.

Next, I do some quick informal assessments to gauge student ability in the following areas:

Writing: With students going into Grade 3, for example, I ask them write their names on a name plate for their desk. This gives me immediate feedback about anyone who may lack the most basic literacy/writing skills.

Language: I read aloud a story and ask a variety of comprehension questions. Not only does this help me quickly evaluate language level, but I begin to get to know students' personalities.

Reading: I give students time for self-selected reading and then ask students, one at a time, to read out loud from a variety of leveled readers. I also show flashcards of the alphabet, various sight words, and photo cards to check for vocabulary and basic reading skills.

Math: I show students flashcards with numbers and ask students to complete a very basic math worksheet to see which students may be lacking beginning math skills.

I can't do this all at one time with 20-25 students in a class, but I do it throughout the first day of activities so that I have a good idea of my students' academic skills as soon as possible.

Academic Skills

Once I know what my students need to work on, I begin to plan specific activities that will target those areas, such as the following:

Reading/language development

Independent reading: I try to have at least 10 minutes a day for self-selected, independent reading. I bring in a plastic crate of library books (all levels and genres) and then change them in the middle of the week.

Peer discussion: I ask students to share what they have read or seen in their book with a classmate. I often "participate" in the activity to make sure that everyone is on task, but usually most students will start to read and talk about the books they select with other students on their own. As students get more comfortable, they often come up to me and ask me about a new word or photo.

Group work: One program I like to use is Working with Words from Four Blocks, a program that can be used with individuals or a whole group. It offers good activities for a mixed level group as well, and you can adapt the pre-made materials to suit your students' abilities and levels.

Skills practice: If you have a budget for "kits" from publishers, two options are the Carousel of Ideas from Ballard & Tighe (good for newcomers for handwriting, vocabulary and some basic commands and grammar), and the reading skills kits from Scholastic. They are short and have good comprehension questions as well as completing a graphic organizer. Other websites with helpful activities include ReadWriteThink, ReadingAtoZ (subscription required), and Starfall.

Writing

In a perfect classroom, students would eagerly open up their journals and begin writing their own thoughts! Nevertheless, with some prompts and encouragement, journals are a great way to build students' writing skills over the summer. I try to buy spiral notebooks from stores at the end of the previous summer when they're on sale, and then work on writing prompts that fit the level of my students.

For non-speakers or beginners: We will recite the days, months, and numbers and then discuss flashcards of the weather - you can make any flashcards you need with images from Google Images or National Geographic Photography. Then we write a brief paragraph on the board including the information we discussed. This gives students a chance to take notes and helps them get used to the idea that they will be expected to take notes in their mainstream classroom, even if they don't understand everything. It also gives them a chance to practice letter and word formation, spacing, etc. Many beginners will begin to recognize sight words or words we start to use a lot like "sunny."

Low-intermediate to advanced: Usually I prepare short prompts for more advanced students. This may be something related to what they did at home (e.g. attending the fireworks) or our daily read-aloud activity. I also like to find pictures from a magazine or the Internet, and then glue it into their journal and ask them to describe it. Of course the students can choose their own photos too, but it's also fun to surprise them and have them wonder what's in their journal. With more advanced students they can also write responses to stories.

Feedback: Time is limited for both students and teachers in summer school. Feedback consisting of one sentence may be sufficient for students, or sometimes reading the entry with the student and giving verbal encouragement is helpful.

Math

I like to make folders of various math fact problems. As students go along and complete an activity, they get a sticker. Then they can take a problem from the next folder. It's a good way to differentiate instruction because some have no idea how to add and others can already multiply.

There are a number of websites where you can create your own worksheets, or you can print worksheets from websites such as:

For more math strategies and activities that you can use with ELLs, take a look at:

Building Vocabulary and Background Knowledge

One of the most important areas to focus on during the summer is building vocabulary and background knowledge. I try to focus on content in science, math, or social studies that my students may have missed in the classroom. If I teach higher grades, this becomes even more important. Anything I can do to provide background knowledge or review is helpful. It's also the perfect time for students to preview what lies ahead in the next grade, even if they can't comprehend all of the vocabulary during the summer.

Here are some resources you can use to increase vocabulary, build background knowledge, and bring forth students' existing knowledge. There are so many wonderful ways to use technology and multimedia resources with these goals in mind, but since access to equipment or the Internet can vary greatly from one summer to another, I have included a number of low-tech options as well! The good news is that I have found that hands-on math and science activities seem like a game for most elementary ELLs, especially if they come from a culture where that is not expected in the classroom - so rest assured that students can still have fun without lots of computer time and video.

Books

Non-fiction

Picture, non-fiction, reference, text, or chapter books can be used to generate conversation and questions. Leveled social studies books with photos are great for reading and for total non-speakers. I don't buy these; we can order them from our local Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) center as they have multiple copies to use.

Fiction

My students have also enjoyed the books listed below. These titles have kept my ELLs' interest with accessible reading and vocabulary levels, and in some cases, humor. Based on the content and text, you can ask questions about these readings that students can answer verbally or in their journals. Favorites include:

You can find more great selections for kids and young adults in Colorín Colorado's Books and Authors section.

Audiobooks, Music, and Photos

Games and Activities

Vocabulary questions: I often have my students use a ticket to get in or out the door. To get the ticket, they must answer a question. I show them a card with a photo of vocabulary we've been working on or I ask for the definition of a word (for more advanced students), and it seems like a game!

Noncompetitive games: These build social language as well as class "spirit" and students can participate without fear if they do not like competition. There are many books on the topic (e.g. Everybody Wins by Jeffrey Sobel). Your PE teachers can also help you - and don't forget that students need physical activity during summer school!

Board games: Try Guess Who? or "Guess What I Am" from Techno Source, a game that includes twenty questions with masks of animals. These games encourage students to ask different kinds of simple questions - you could probably make your own versions if you're creative with a computer!

Projects

Craft projects with some meaning (as opposed to coloring sheets and busy work) can prove engaging for students. During these projects, students are listening and following directions; when they work together, they practice speaking. I do the following:

Student photos: I take each student's photo on the first two days and get the photos developed. They design a frame and give it to their parents on the last day.

Origami: Short projects such as origami encourage listening to directions and student interaction to build social skills.

Story pictures: Students paint their own pictures to accompany a story. This is a good way to check student comprehension of a story the class is reading, especially for beginners.

Playdough: I make my own playdough and have students make characters from the stories.

Multimedia

DVDs: I have started to borrow portable, flip-top DVD players from friends (or their kids) and use them for "virtual field trips." I borrow great DVDs from the public library, and I am accumulating my own collection from School Videos that I use each year. I have purchased those that directly relate to curriculum (communities, the water cycle, life cycles, etc.), as well as some that are good for my newcomers on "U.S. Celebrations" and "U.S. Symbols."

Websites: When we have access to the Internet, computers, and SmartBoards, there is a lot out there to explore! I have found some great websites, including these vocabulary games and the media center attached to the Oneida Madison County BOCES. Through their site, I have access to hundreds of digital media programs that I can show my students for free. A list of other recommended websites for students follows at the end of the article, which includes a number of interactive/virtual tours of museums, zoos, and historic sites. Be sure to preview everything you use and choose what works best for your class each summer.

Beyond the Classroom

Field trips: Field trips can be a highlight of the summer - when you have the funding! I've rarely had enough funding for field trips, but the ones we have been able to take have been very popular. In our two-week program for the Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, we took trips to the zoo, local children's museum, fire station, and a park. The students' two favorite places were the Oneida Nation Cultural Center and Fort Stanwix. These two places are part of our Social Studies curriculum. We had interpreters with us to help explain everything, and a year later, the students still mention what they learned on these trips.

School visits: For newcomers, a field trip to their new school is quite valuable. This depends on accessibility and funding, but can make an important difference at the beginning of the school year. Visiting different areas of the school such as classrooms, the cafeteria, and main office and talking about what students will do in each place will boost their confidence in the fall.

Around the neighborhood: Even if you can't go far, something simple like an activity or lunch outside in fresh air and sunshine can energize students and staff! You may be able to even do some science or social studies activities in the school's immediate neighborhood.

Follow-up activities to field trips may include journal writing, thank you notes (also a cultural component), putting together a bulletin board of photos and mementos, or short discussions reviewing what students saw and learned. For more field trip resources, as well as information about ELL parent chaperones and field trip grants, take a look at Successful Field Trips with ELLs.

Cultural Experiences

One of the best parts of summer school is the cultural component - after all, those 4th of July fireworks are interesting!

Culture also goes beyond holidays and celebrations. For students who have not yet attended classes during the school year, or have perhaps attended for only a few weeks, everything may be a new cultural experience, including:

Help students familiarize themselves and build confidence with these new parts of the school experience. If you have some students who have already been attending the school, pair newcomers with a buddy who can show them around. Older students, who are new arrivals, may need the opportunity to go through sample schedules where they change classrooms throughout the day. You may find some other helpful ideas in How to Create a Welcoming Classroom.

Last But Not Least: The Schedule

While the resources and curriculum are important elements during summer school, I have found the schedule to be crucial.

Morning: I divide my mornings into small blocks of time in which I hope to integrate listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural components. It mimics a regular classroom, and for some newcomers, that is an important part of their cultural orientation.

After lunch: We have about 15 minutes before the buses arrive. I use that time for jigsaw puzzles, BINGO, or crafts. I find that's when the kids relax and try and talk to each other (most of our classes are mixed language groups). It does take some planning, however, so that it's organized and meaningful. I also use the non-competitive games so students get to know each other and communicate with each other. This has worked well with newcomers that have different home languages.

Final thoughts

Summer school can be a time of great fun and learning for both the students and teachers - even when teaching in crowded rooms with limited supplies and technology! Each summer school session brings students with various language backgrounds, school experience, and needs, as well as funding concerns. The time is short and not all of these tips can be used in one summer with one class. But, if we look at it as a time in which to give the students a positive school experience and help them feel more confident in the upcoming school year, we will be sure to have a very positive impact for our students throughout the summer.

Recommended Websites

These websites offer great activities for online learning or virtual field trips! For more information, see Edutopia's Internet Explorers: Virtual Field Trips Are More Than Just Money Savers and Larry Ferlazzo's recommended websites for his "virtual classroom."

Note: Local attractions, museums, and historic sites in your region may have virtual tours or online activities that students can access virtually.

About the author

Veteran teacher Sharon Eghigian from Utica, NY more than 15 years of experience teaching in a variety of ESL summer programs. Some of those programs include ESL summer school (Grades K-5), "Jump Start" classes at non-profit agencies (ages 8-16), and cultural orientation/ESL classes for newcomers (K-5).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teaching Tips: Summer School for English Language Learners

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The summer is a great time to work with English language learners! During summer school, you can focus on individual student needs, help students catch up, and prepare them for the following school year. The time is short, though, so it's important that students spend as much time as possible in meaningful and engaging activities.