TESOLutions
Solutions for NYS TESOL professionals

TESOL professionals ask and answer questions about problems related to work. In this issue, we present advice from

Problem

My name is Lissa V.  I am currently student teaching ESL at the elementary level. Soon I will graduate and one of my main concerns is how to find relevant books (materials in general) that can guide me in teaching students how to build writing and comprehensive reading skills gradually. As an ELL myself I try to apply my own experience, but I still feel a little lost. Is there any bibliography that you can recommend about techniques, strategies or methods I could use?

TESOLution offered by
Stella Kokoros, ESL Teacher

Lissa,
Luckily the writer’s workshop is perfectly geared towards ESL learners.  A writing piece is developed one step at a time from immersion to publishing. The following books will help by providing you with the tools you need for each phase of writing.

Davis, Judy, and Hill Sharon. 2003. The No-Nonsense Guide toTeaching Writing: Strategies, Structures and Solutions. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Fountas , Irene C., and Gay Sue Pinnell. 2001. Guiding Readers and Writers Grades 3-6: Teaching Comprehension, Genre, and Content Literacy. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Harvey,Stephanie, and Anne Goudvis. 2000. Strategies That Work: Teaching Comprehension to Enhance Understanding. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.

Fletcher, Ralph and Portalupi, Joann. 2001. Nonfiction Craft Lessons: Teaching Information Writing K-8. Portland, ME: Stenhouse. ( available for Fiction Writing)

Fletcher, Ralph and Portalupi, Joann. 2001. Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

If you have a question or problem you would like addressed contact TESOLutions at: dialogue@nystesol.org.

Stella Kokoros worked at P.S. 53 in the Bronx for eleven years and was a lead teacher her last three years there.  She is currently an ESL teacher for grades 4, 5, and 6 in East Ramapo, NY.