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.
Time for Soccer!
As the World Cup approaches, it's a great time for stories about the "beautiful game" of soccer, recognized as a universal language across cultures. These stories celebrate the excitement of the game, as well as the spirit of champions — whether it's as Pelé scores his 1,000th goal or a young boy in a wheelchair takes to the soccer field with his friends.
For other books related to the World Cup, take a look at the new Tales from South Africa booklist from Reading Rockets!
Featherless/Desplumado
At his new school, everyone asks Tomasito why he is in a wheelchair. His father gives him a new pet to make him smile, but this bird is a little bit different too. Can Tomasito's featherless friend teach him that he doesn't have to stay on the sidelines — and that there's more than one way to fly? Related classroom activities available from Children's Book Press.
Froggy Plays Soccer
Froggy is ready for the big game! He has his shin guards, soccer shirt, and cleats — but will he remember to use his feet instead of his hands? Young readers will love the sound effects that London includes in the story and will relate to the challenge of remembering all of the rules of the game!
Goal!
"Arriving in time for the 2010 World Cup, this heart-tugging picture book from a debut author tells a lyrical soccer story in the voice of a young boy in a South African shantytown… In full-page oil paintings, Ford uses unusual angles to intensify the sense of the scuffling, exciting action; the tense confrontation; and the reality of shantytown life." — Gillian Engberg, Booklist
Kingfisher Soccer Encyclopedia
This soccer encyclopedia for kids contains a wealth of information and photos about the history of soccer, playing the game, soccer legends, strategy, and soccer competitions. A bonus section on the World Cup 2010 is included in the 2006 and 2010 editions. Young soccer fans with a thirst for soccer trivia won't be able to put this encyclopedia down!
Maya and Miguel: Soccer Around the World
When Maya and Miguel meet a professional soccer star, they learn all about how the game is played in countries around the world. Soccer fans will enjoy discovering facts about the sport with the twins. Available from Scholastic, Reader Level 3. Spanish edition out of print but may be available in libraries.
Pelé: King of Soccer/El rey del fútbol
Did you know that as a boy, Pelé played soccer in bare feet with a grapefruit instead of a soccer ball? Monica Brown shares the inspirational story of the beloved soccer star's rise from humble beginnings to becoming El rey del fútbol. Rudy Gutiérrez's brilliant and fluid illustrations of Pelé and "the beautiful game" of soccer leap off the page. Bilingual text. Curriculum guide available.
South Africa: Explore the World Through Soccer
Ethan Zohn is a professional soccer player, philanthropist, and lecturer. Through his series of international Soccer World books, Zohn shares ways that soccer can be used as a "common language" across cultures. In this edition, Zohn makes his way through South Africa, and takes readers from wildlife preserves to giant soccer stadiums — just in time for the World Cup!
Winners Never Quit!
Little Mia hates losing! But does she hate losing more than she loves to play soccer? Soccer star Mia Hamm and illustrator Carol Thompson share an important lesson through their charming depiction of young Mia's realization that winners never quit. Photos and highlights from Hamm's career are included.
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