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ESL Collection at the SCC Library: For Teachers

A guide that describes the ESL Collection in the SCC Library, and provides specific activities and teaching materials for interacting with it.

About the ESL Collection Teaching Materials

This page is intended to collect materials that can be used in conjunction with the ESL collection at SCC. Due to the nature of reading in ESL, as well as the fluidity across the curriculum, these materials may be useful across different courses or class sections. If you have questions about materials for ESL instruction, contact ESL Faculty Rabab Nemri-Weber at rabab.nemri-weber@scc.spokane.edu or Zach Christman at zachary.christman@scc.spokane.edu.

 

ESL Levels 1-6 Sample Activities

Graded Reader Activities (Levels 1-3) 

This menu provides ideas for integrating SCC’s Graded Reader Collection into ESL classes (Levels 1-3). Each activity is connected to our Course Learning Outcomes (CLO's) and our Program Learning Outcomes (PLO's) program outcomes which can be found HERE

Interested in an activity? Just click on the title to access a ready-made document.


Level 1 Activities 

1. Sound it Out & Share Aloud 

Description: Students practice consonant/vowel sounds, find words with target sounds, and read aloud short passages with partners. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Identify sounds and decode common words 
  • Read aloud fluently with accuracy 
  • Practice pronunciation and word recognition 

 

2. Understand & Talk About the Story 

Description: Students read a passage, answer simple comprehension questions, retell the section in pairs, and describe characters/places. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Recognize common words and details 
  • Answer questions about text 
  • Orally describe people, places, and events 

 

3. Connecting Reading to Real Life 

Description: Students match sentences to pictures, complete prompts ('My name is ___'), and share aloud with a partner. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Read and apply comprehension skills 
  • Write and speak simple personal information 
  • Express thoughts and ideas clearly 

 


Level 2 Activities

1. Read, Write and Edit a Paragraph 

Description: Students read a passage, identify key vocabulary, then write and revise a summary paragraph with transition words ('First, Next, Finally'). 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Write with grammar, spelling, and punctuation 
  • Summarize text clearly 
  • Revise and edit for a final draft 

 

2. Find and Share 

Description: Students read a section, highlight the main idea and 2–3 details, then share findings orally in groups. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Identify main ideas and supporting details 
  • Present orally and answer questions 
  • Speak clearly in group settings 

 

3. Read, Research, Create & Share! 

Description: Students select a topic from their reader, research 2–3 extra facts and create a short digital project (slide/poster) with text and images. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Research and use information without copying 
  • Write and edit short texts for projects 
  • Present ideas clearly with technology 

 


Level 3 Activities 

1. Summarizing and Identifying Key Details 

Description: Students read a passage, create a chart of main ideas/details, and write a short 3–4 sentence summary to share with a partner. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Identify main ideas and details 
  • Summarize texts effectively 
  • Use vocabulary skills to interpret meaning 

 

2. Debate It: Share Your Opinion 

Description: Students read a section, form an opinion about a character’s decision, and join a small-group debate to convince others. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Participate in conversations with clarity 
  • Express opinions with reasons and examples 
  • Convince others using appropriate language 

 

3. Reading to Research: A Digital Presentation 

Description: Students choose a topic from the reader, gather facts from another source, and create a digital presentation with main ideas and details. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Combine information from different sources 
  • Use technology to present ideas clearly 
  • Express organized thoughts in speaking 

 


Graded Reader Activities (Levels 4–6) 

This menu provides a few ideas for integrating SCC’s Graded Reader Collection into Academic and Community ESL classes (Levels 4–6). Each activity is connected to our Course Learning Outcomes (CLO's) and  our Program Learning Outcomes (PLO's) which can be found HERE

Interested in an activity? Just click on the title to access a ready-made document.


1. Compare & Contrast Two Biographies 

Students read two biographies, chart similarities and differences, and present findings in a paragraph or oral presentation. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Academic: Analyze main ideas/details; summarize texts; make small presentations. 
  • Community: Improve reading comprehension; communicate effectively in writing. 

 

2. Timeline Collage 

Students create a visual timeline of their biography subject and present key events. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Academic: Summarize texts; interpret development of characters/events; oral presentation with visuals. 
  • Community: Expand vocabulary in life-skills contexts; improve reading comprehension. 

 

3. Advice Across Time 

Students write a letter from the biography subject to today’s students with advice based on their life. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Academic: Draw inferences; apply critical thinking; practice writing for audience/purpose. 
  • Community: Practice self-advocacy; communicate needs effectively in writing. 

 

4. Alternate Ending 

Students rewrite the ending of a fiction book and explain why their ending fits the story. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Academic: Analyze plot development; use academic vocabulary; express ideas in writing. 
  • Community: Expand vocabulary; improve comprehension of narrative structures. 

 

5. Character Diaries 

Students write diary entries from the perspective of a book’s character at key points in the story. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Academic: Interpret development of characters; use figurative language in context. 
  • Community: Communicate personal experiences in writing; practice fluency. 

 

6. Book Reviews 

Students produce a review summarizing the book, stating their opinion, and recommending (or not) to peers. 

Outcomes Met:

  • Academic: Summarize texts; use persuasive language; make oral presentations. 
  • Community: Communicate clearly in writing; practice reading comprehension. 

 

7. Fact vs. Opinion Sort 

Students categorize statements from their book as fact or opinion, then discuss with peers. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Academic: Evaluate texts critically; distinguish facts/inferences.
  • Community: Improve reading comprehension (agreements, rules); practice effective advocacy.

 

8. Book Speed Dating 

Students rotate in pairs, giving 1–2 minute pitches about their book to multiple classmates. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Academic: Participate in collaborative discussions; speak effectively in varied settings. 
  • Community: Increase oral fluency; expand vocabulary through repetition. 

 

9. Reading Fair (Poster Presentation) 

Students prepare a visual poster about their book and present it in a “fair” format for peers to browse. 

Outcomes Met: 

  • Academic: Make presentations using visuals; synthesize main ideas/details. 
  • Community: Communicate ideas in writing and speaking; become oriented to community learning environment. 

 

Additional ESL Guides

If you are interested in additional ESL instructional information, consider examining the ESL Guides listed on the library subject guides page.