There are just some years when you don’t know where to start. That’s the worst feeling. Whether you’re an ESL teacher or a classroom teacher, you’ve probably felt that way before. The good news is that if you’re feeling this way with your English learner students, I’m here to help! A pre-created ESL curriculum might just be the answer to your prayers. Let’s check out my 3 ESL curriculums plus a couple of bonus resources.
Newcomer Curriculum
My newcomer curriculum is perfect for students who are brand new to the country or for students who have been in the year for less than two years. Featuring 7 units, each one includes:
- themed vocabulary
- corresponding grammar topics
- flip books
- writing prompts with sentence starters
- sorting activities
- games for extra practice
- lesson plans for each unit
Take a peek at an activity from my newcomer curriculum below! You can also download and try out unit one for FREE here.
This activity teaches Spanish-speaking students about cognates. Students learn what cognates are and create an English-Spanish list of common cognates.
Students then read a text and practice recognizing cognates. Students practice rereading for fluency and then draw a picture of what they learned.
Finally, students create a cognate journal where they illustrate and label a few cognates.
Intermediate Curriculum
My intermediate curriculum is for students who have mastered English basics and are ready to dive into more complex vocabulary terms and grammar patterns. With 41 resources, this intermediate curriculum will probably be a lifeline for you since most students end up in the intermediate range for the longest amount of time. It’s also great because it has students practice using graphic organizers that they’ll use in their grade-level classroom. Here’s what you’ll find in this bundle:
- themed vocabulary
- corresponding grammar topics
- songs & chants
- picture cards
- oral language activities
- writing prompts with sentence starters
- graphic organizers and anchor charts
- games for extra practice
- lesson plans for each unit
See what an activity from my intermediate curriculum looks like below!
Reinforcing the idea that playground language isn’t the same language we use
when communicating for a job is important.
Teach students the differences between informal and formal language. Next, have
them complete the sort pictured. Younger students can practice using only pictures,
while students who can read can read the examples and sort. Have students sort with
a partner first and then review as a whole class. Ask students to justify their reasoning.
Advanced Curriculum
The goal with our advanced students is to help them master English. We want to push
them to listen, speak, read, and write on par with native students. Our goal after all is
to have students exit from English learner services. When students seem proficient but
aren’t quite yet, it can be difficult to know what to teach them. This advanced curriculum
helps you teach the right things to help your students excel and leave ESL services
behind. Here’s what’s included:
- themed vocabulary
- corresponding grammar topics
- classifying & organizing information activities
- songs & chants
- picture cards
- oral language activities
- writing prompts with sentence starters
- graphic organizers and anchor charts
- games for extra practice
- lesson plans for each unit
Thematic Curriculum
Sometimes teachers want more flexibility with what they teach and aren’t so keen on following a curriculum. This thematic curriculum is great for them. Choose the theme you want to teach and go for it! No need to worry about skills building or teaching out of order. Make it work for you. The themes included in this bundle are:
- The Lady with the Alligator Purse
- Things That Go
- Songs & Chants
- Past Tense Verbs
- Formal & Informal Language
- Prepositions
- Indefinite Pronouns
- Reflexive Pronouns
- Tongue Twisters
- Cognates
- Academic Vocabulary
- Irregular Past Tense Verbs
- The Three Sounds of -ed
- Comparing & Contrasting
- This or That Demonstratives
- Punctuation
- Cognates
- Reading Comprehension
- Math Activities
- Science Activities
Take a look at this fun activity from my thematic bundle!
Yearlong Curriculum
If you have ESL students at all language levels in your classroom, the yearlong curriculum will be your best bet! Take the planning and stress off of your plate by using this pre-planned curriculum to teach all of your students engaging activities at their language level. With over 2,600 pages, this resource has everything you need to ditch the planning and just teach!
This bundle features all of the amazing resources from the newcomer, intermediate, and advanced curriculums!
Planning for students at multiple language levels can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. With pre-planned lessons, exciting activities, and language supports provided, you’ll rock this school year with these ESL curriculums.
Your partner in ESL!
Lori
Happy Teaching!