This template was created to help plan lessons that support English Language Learners for the SPELL project.

Direct teaching of vocabulary can help improve comprehension only when taught in meaningful context. Through the use of technology, students can develop their academic vocabulary in an engaging and fun way.

This outlines the 2-day close reading exemplar developed by Student Achievement Partners.

Do you ever get bored when reading? Mary Ellen does! Grampa knows just what she needs, a trip to the bee tree. With half the town following the chase, Mary Ellen and Grampa go off on an adventurethat leads Mary Ellen to make a sweet discovery of her own.Lexile Level: AD680LGuided Reading Level: MGenre: Fiction

In this eight-week module, students explore the questions: “Who is the wolf in fiction?” and “Who is the wolf in fact?” They begin by analyzing how the wolf is characterized in traditional stories, folktales, and fables. Then they research real wolves by reading informational text. Finally, for their performance task, students combine their knowledge of narratives with their research on wolves to write a realistic narrative about wolves.

Flor has been looking forward to summer with her best friend since last summer! But an unexpected twist of fate lands her working in her family’s mattress store and her best friend at band camp. Herlife gets even worse when she has to compete in the local honey pageant (again) and volunteer to help a recluse beekeeper with her worst frenemy. With her parents fighting and the possibility of moving to New Jersey on the horizon, this summer cannot get any worse.Grade Level: 3rd-7thLexile Level: 870LGuided Reading Level: SGenre: fiction, chapter book 

The "Into the Book" web site is designed to help elementary students practice eight reading comprehension strategies through playful interactive activities. The site focuses on eight research-based strategies: Using Prior Knowledge, Making Connections, Questioning, Visualizing, Inferring, Summarizing, Evaluating and Synthesizing. "Behind the Lesson," the teacher area of the site, provides information, lesson plans and other resources for teachers.

Michael is feeling all alone in a new city and new school until Jesse, a fellow student introduced him to the school garden! Working with new friends, exploring tastes, harvesting vegetables, nicknaminginsects, and solving garden riddles are just a few of the ways that the school garden helps Michael feel like he is growing roots. This Found Poetry style picture book is perfect for introducing a uniquemodern style of poetry while incorporating history, cooking, word study, and a love for the outdoor classroom.Grade Level: 2nd-5thLexile Level: Not availableGuided Reading Level: Not availableGenre: Fiction, poetry

This unique book is a love letter written as a poem from the author, Shabazz Larkin, to his two sons. This artist, author, and activist is learning to overcome his fear of our most amazing pollinators --bees! With careful research and experiences with his sons, Larkin is learning to be fearless and wants to teach kids to be brave when facing their fears.Lexile Level: Not availableGuided Reading Level: Not availableGenre: FictionPre-Reading