April is National Poetry Month, and poetry is a great tool for teaching English Language Learners.
As a form that intentionally slows down in order to explore language, poetry provides a context appropriate for many levels of readers to learn phonics, structure, and oral fluency. Also, blended language, especially Spanish and English, is a favorite device of many poets, offering ELLs familiar vocabulary and a different level of interest.
In the book list below, there are not only poetry collections, but also evocative novels in verse addressing the immigrant experience or culture relevant to ELLs.
Margarita Engle
Grades 7 to 12
Pat Mora
Grades 9 and up
Juan Felipe Herrera
Grades 9 to 12
Gary Soto
Grades 7 to 12
Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Grades 6 to 12
Ed. Lori Marie Carlson
Grades 7 to 12
Juan Felipe Herrera
Grades 6 and up
Naomi Shihab Nye
Grades 6 to 8
Skila Brown
Grades 5 & up
Ed. Lori M. Carlson
Grades 4 to 7
Katherine Applegate
Grades 5 & up
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Grades 4 and up
Ann E. Burg
Grades 5 to 9
Margarita Engle
Grades 5 to 9
Thanhha Lai
Grades 3 to 7
Than You Are
Ed. Naomi Shihab Nye
Grades 2 to 5
Search for more poetry or nonfiction or textbooks at www.adamsbook.com. And, if you want more ELL resources, you should check out our ELL Pinterest board.
Adams Book Company 