good books for english learners middle school

Picture books are accessible and enjoyable, and teachers can use picture books in one or two 45-minute class periods effectively.

Teaching is a tough balance, and English teachers have to juggle reading, writing, speaking, and listening – all while tending to the additional daily work that comes with teaching. My students were silent, taking in the power of the book, until we began to peel back the layers and talk about what we would learn in the unit. At times, I even played up the aspects of the picture book, holding up the text and saying: “Can you see the picture there?” and “What do you see on this page?” In an easy read aloud that took less than ten minutes (yes – less than ten minutes), we had uncovered a rich allegory for a major world event. Little did I know that Eve Bunting’s Terrible Things would show me the simple power that could be contained in pictures with minimal text. “Yes, I think it will be fun,” I said, knowing well that it would not just be an experience in entertainment, but would provide a captivating introduction to an important series of classes.

I came from a background of using canonical texts in my graduate program – what if someone walked in and saw me using a (drum roll or ominous music) – picture book? We were in the early steps of a Holocaust unit, and I remember my hesitation about using books that weren’t already part of our school bookroom. “Are we really going to read a picture book?” my students asked, complete with the characteristic grunts and groans for effect.

Good books for english learners middle school