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October 2021

Dear Subscribers,

We have great resources around reading instruction for ELLs and diverse books in this edition of the newsletter. Take a look and pass them on to your colleagues!

To see new resources as soon as they come out, check out our social media channels on:

Sincerely,
Lydia Breiseth
Colorín Colorado Director



In this issue:

New Resources!

What Multilingual Health Services and Support Look Like in Brockton, MA

Learn how the Brockton Public School District in Massachusetts has made multilingual health services available for its families during COVID-19 and how that outreach has helped families access basic services and COVID-19 vaccines.

Using Diverse Books with ELLs

If you teach ELLs and immigrant students, you may be wondering how to choose books that reflect your students' experiences, cultures, and languages. You may also wonder how to choose books at the right language level. This in-depth guide offers numerous practical tips, resources, and booklists for finding appropriate books for your students.

Meet the Author: Juana Martinez-Neal

Juana Martinez-Neal is an award-winning children's author and illustrator. Her awards include the Pura Belpré Award for Illustration and a Caldecott Honor Award. In this interview with Colorín Colorado, Juana talks about growing up in Peru, her artistic influences, and some of the ideas behind her books.

Juana Martinez-Neal: The story behind "Alma and How She Got Her Name," winner of the Caldecott Honor Award

In the News

How Schools Can Partner with Afghan Refugee Families

The following resources provide recommendations on how schools can effectively partner with families who have been arriving from Afghanistan. It also shares lessons learned from schools already partnering with this community.

 

Updated Resources

 

American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Heritage

These books and classroom resources highlight American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian heritage and history, providing an opportunity to recognize, understand, and celebrate the traditions and cultures of Native peoples.

Stay tuned for more great content coming soon!
 

In the Classroom

Dr. Karen Woodson: How ELL educators collaborated w/ reading specialists to create a new ELD model at a Title I school

Reading 101 for English Learners

In this article, Kristina Robertson highlights ELL instructional strategies based on the five components of reading as outlined in Teaching Children to Read by the National Reading Panel (2000), phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension

Recommended Resources

Literacy Foundations for English Learners: A Comprehensive Guide to Evidence-Based Instruction

By Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan

This accessible book will give teachers the knowledge base they need to help English learners develop strong literacy skills and achieve academic success.  Aligned with IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards, this book prepares current and future educators to teach English learners the key components of language and literacy, as first described in the National Literacy Panel report.

For each component, teachers will get a dedicated chapter with research-based insights on how to teach English learners, guidance on making connections across languages when teaching that component, and ready-to-use principles and strategies for instruction. Learning objectives, study questions, and extended application activities help educators grow their knowledge and apply it in their classrooms.

Related Resources

Book Study: The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network produced an online book study with Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan aligned to key topics in the book's first seven chapters. You can see links to the book study on Colorín Colorado.

Podcast: Dr. Cárdenas-Hagan recently appeared on Amplify's Science of Reading podcast. Another recent episode also featured Dr. Julie Washington on the topic ofLinguistic Variety and Dialects: Difference, not error.

Family Resources and Outreach

Reading SOS Videos: Bilingual Families' Questions About Language and Literacy

In this special video series, experts answer real questions from families about reading and how to support their children at home.

This set of Reading SOS questions is available in English and Spanish and focuses on language and literacy topics for bilingual families and features Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan.

Research & Reports

Multitiered System of Supports for English Learners: Model Demonstration Research

In September of 2016, the U.S. Department of Education funded three projects focusing on tiered approaches to improving reading and language outcomes for English Learners (ELs). These projects are developing and implementing culturally and linguistically responsive models for multitiered system of supports for ELs, including those with or at risk of having a disability.

Features of these models include:

  • Appropriate research-based reading instruction and intervention for ELs
  • Culturally responsive teaching strategies and principles
  • Professional development and strategic coaching for teachers
  • Linguistically aligned progress monitoring and screening measures
  • Data-based educational decision making

Toolkit: Promoting Effective Parent-Educator Collaboration to Increase Student Academic Achievement

The National Center on Educational Outcomes and the West Virginia Department of Education are collaborating on a grant project titled The Improving Instruction for English Learners through Improved Accessibility Decisions  Project, funded by a federal grant from the Office of English Language Acquisition. One resource created through the project is a new Parent-Educator Toolkit for parents and educators of English learners. The toolkit is a one-stop place that aims to help educators and parents of English learners make collaborative decisions about providing accessible grade-level, standards-based instruction, and assessment that meets the needs of individual English learners. The Toolkit provides parents of English learners the tools they need to be involved in decisions about accessibility features for their children.

Books and Authors

Book of the Month

My Two Border Towns

By David Bowles, illustrated by Erika Meza

Early one Saturday morning, a boy prepares for a trip to The Other Side/El Otro Lado. It's close -- just down the street from his school -- and it's a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they're greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies.

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, with stunning watercolor illustrations by Erika Meza, is the loving story of a father and son's weekend ritual, a demonstration of community care, and a tribute to the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Spooky Stories for Kids and Teens


Take a look at our new and updated lists for some chills and thrills!

Celebrating the Day of the Dead: Books for Kids

The Day of the Dead is a time of both joy and quiet remembrance as families honor their loved ones who have died. Each of the books on this list offers a unique interpretation of the holiday that will provide an excellent introduction for students who are new to the Day of the Dead, as well as an important opportunity for students who celebrate the holiday to share their own family traditions.

Note: Please keep in mind that the Day of the Dead this year may be particularly difficult and poignant for families who are mourning the loss of loved ones due to COVID-19.
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