What is the big deal about reading passages? Don’t get me wrong we read a lot of books too! It might not look like much, so let me share their value! Check out for my top 3 reasons for reading passages in the ELD classroom!
Reason 1 for Reading Passages in the ELD Classroom
Applying phonics in context is more easily done. As teachers of multilingual learners we don’t have the luxury of deciding between teaching content and reading. We need to do both.
Here is one way I address common core, “Read and apply grade level phonics” and several language forms and functions as well as content knowledge. With passages you can highlight the text to call attention to individual words. In this case it’s phonics- students had practice with /ou/ and /ow/ but it was also a great chance to discuss “round” vs. “around”. Meanwhile they were reading, discussing, and writing about animal adaptations. Amazing all that can be done with one passage.
Reason 2 for Reading Passages in the ELD Classroom
Inspiring confidence that students can read longer text on one page especially when faced with those during testing: Several years ago it occurred to me that just reading short books that had a few lines of text per page didn’t prepare students for all those passages on both language and state tests. Students would say, “It’s so long!” out loud or look defeated.
Now I build them up slowly all year making the passages longer, supporting with decreasing scaffolds, and reminding them they can do it because they have (not during the test of course). I wish we didn’t have to test so much. Truly it takes up so much time we could be teaching. But if we have to do it, I want to do as much as I can to send students into it with confidence in their ability to do their best. This is just a small thing, but for me it’s made a big difference.
Reason 3 for Reading Passages in the ELD Classroom
Promoting curiosity! Starting with a passage over a book is a small investment and usually leads to more questions and engagement. This is something I love (and our admin looks for it during observations).
So how do I know I am? I can show proof in 2 ways:
1. Students often ask me to add other animals. One of my dually identified second graders put in a request for a passage on scorpions because he wanted to learn about them. I got right to it!
2. If students develop questions that the animal passage didn’t answer, we write them down and read more. They are invested in reading to find the answers and that leads to even more engagement.
Check out the featured passages and more:
The passages above are from the first resource below: ESL Reading and Writing. For passages on Extreme Weather check out the next resource. And finally check out the last resource for Rainforest Animal Passages that can also be used for writing nonfictions animal research reports. Check out these three resources by clicking on them.
Want to read more on using reading passages like this? Check out this blog post for more:
And finally, be sure to visit readworks.org for additional reading passages!
