Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
Helping English Language Learners Become Strong Readers
Welcome to Colorín Colorado, the leading website for teachers and parents of English Language Learners!
Here you'll find numerous articles, resources, and ideas to support ELLs at school and at home.
Why the name Colorín Colorado?
Learn where our name comes from >
Reading 101 for English Language Learners
The process of learning to read can be particularly challenging for English language learners (ELLs). The good news about teaching reading to ELLs, however, is that you don't have to learn an entirely new method. Learn more in our new article, Reading 101 for English Language Learners.
Books and Authors
Tan to Tamarind: Poems About the Color Brown
By Malathi Michelle Iyengar
This collection of multicultural poetry celebrates the color brown and all of the delicious and familiar places it can be found. Author Malathi Michelle Iyengar also uses the poems to express an appreciation for the many ethnic backgrounds who describe their skin color as "brown" around the world. Jamel Akib's warm drawings are a perfect complement to the poetry.
Duck for Turkey Day
By Jacqueline Jules
Tuyet is excited for Thanskgiving. She tells her mother that it is time to buy a turkey, but she is worried after learning that her family will be having duck instead — it's Turkey Day, not Duck Day! When it comes time to tell the class what she ate for Turkey Day, Tuyet is in for a special surprise. This heartwarming story is a beautiful reminder of the unique ways we each celebrate our own traditions.
Check out these booklists for more Thansgiving book ideas:
This Month's Highlights
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month is a great way to celebrate the rich history and culture of Native Americans. Don't miss our American Indian Heritage booklist or the Reading Rockets Native American booklist!
Frequently Asked Questions about Teaching ELLs
ELL teachers may wonder how best to bridge the language barrier in order to improve communication with students' families. Find the answer to this
and many other questions in our section on
Frequently Asked Questions about Teaching ELLs.
New on Colorín Colorado!
Author Interview with Lulu Delacre
Don't miss our new video interview with author and illustrator Lulu Delacre! Lulu has been writing and illustrating children's books for almost thirty years. In this interview, Lulu talks about the influence of her Puerto Rican heritage on her work, as well as the importance of our public libraries.
Math and Literacy for Preschoolers
Math is all around, even for our youngest learners. By providing a home rich in language and where thinking is encouraged, you can help your preschooler develop important numeracy and literacy skills. This article offers four examples of how to integrate language and math.
Recommended Resources
Chat: Educating Long-Term English-Language Learners
Many school districts are at a loss on how to best educate long-term English-language learners. Kate Menken, an assistant professor of linguistics at the City University of New York, answered questions about what she's learned during three years of researching long-term ELLs in New York City.
Getting Started with English Language Learners: How Educators Can Meet the Challenge
By Judie Haynes
Whether you're a new teacher or a veteran with lots of experience working with English language learners, you'll find a wealth of useful information in this practical guide by Judie Haynes, an experienced ESL teacher and co-founder of the website EverythingESL. The book begins with a discussion of the stages of second language development and also covers such topics as working with newcomers, differentiating instruction for ELLs, and challenges related to content area instruction for ELLs. The real-life scenarios from actual classrooms are a highlight of this very useful classroom guide.
Haynes, J. (2007). Getting started with English language learners: How educators can meet the challenge. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
Today's News
Editorial: Their Future Is Ours
The New York Times
Miami High Teacher Honored by State Teacher's Union
Miami Herald
Grant Restores ESL Classes
The Herald News (MA)
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research sites I work with.
~ Claudia R.
Why the name "Colorín Colorado"?
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Colorín Colorado is a free web-based, bilingual service that provides information, activities, and advice for educators and Spanish-speaking families of English language learners (ELLs, also known as students of English as a second language).
Colorín Colorado is produced by Reading Rockets — an educational service of WETA, the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation's capital. Original artwork by Caldecott Award-winning illustrator David Diaz is used with permission.
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Colorín Colorado receives major funding from the American Federation of Teachers. Additional funding is provided by the National Institute for Literacy and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
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