• Determine the organizational pattern of a passage, but not label the pattern

  • Chronological order

  • Spatial order

  • Order of importance

  • Discern comparison and contrast relationships in a passage

  • Discern cause and effect relationships in a passage

ESL Ideas      (B=Beginning, I=Intermediate, T=Transitional)
(B, I) Students organize a how-to-do paragraph in chronological order by using a simple recipe that is common in their culture such as “how to make a tortilla.”
(I, T) Using informational books and operating manuals, students organize a descriptive paragraph in correct operational order. Students can act-out the sequence of the operation. Example: “first, put the cassette into the player, then....”
(I, T) In pairs, students write a story with dialogue by rewriting scrambled paragraphs provided by the teacher. Students then evaluate the written stories.

Sequence of Events
(B, I, T) Activity student completes graphic organizer of story sequence of events

Story Map
(B, I, T) Activity student completes graphic organizer of story map including the following: title, author, main characters, supporting characters, setting, problem, and solution

Step-by-Step Chart
(B, I, T) Activity student completes chart identifying major steps in order and summarized details of story

Time-Order Chart
(B, I, T) Activity student completes chart by writing the topic in the center square, events in the boxes, and details on the branching lines

Tree Chart
(B, I, T) Activity student completes tree chart by writing the topic on the base of the tree chart and the summarized details on the branches

Comparison Notes
(I, T) Activity student completes graphic organizer with summary notes comparing three main ideas

Event Map
(B, I, T) Activity student completes graphic organizer including answers to the following questions: When did it happen?  How did it happen? Why did it happen?  Who was involved in the event?  Where did it happen?

Pyramid Notes
(I, T) Activity student completes graphic organizer preparing to read, write, or speak by identifying and summarizing the following: subject, main idea, supporting details, synthesize, summarize, respond, reflect

Tools for Reading, Writing & Thinking
(B, I, T) Graphic organizer tools to help engage student in vigorous thinking, organize complex ideas, and scaffold interactions with text

English Works: Reading Exercises
(I, T) Traditional reading practice (main idea, details, and inference) including online self-checking vocabulary and comprehension quizzes

Reading / Speaking Comprehension Dialogues
(B, I, T) These reading comprehension / dialogues provide an opportunity for both reading and speaking practice. Each dialogue is also followed by a multiple choice quiz for comprehension practice. Each dialogue is listed under the appropriate level with a short introduction regarding target areas for speaking practice.

5 Minute English
(B, I, T) Reading, vocabulary, and grammar activities including passages with online self-checking quizzes

Graphic Organizers
(B, I, T) Graphic organizer tools that actively engage the student to put ideas and notes in order

Helper: Graphic Organizers
(B, I, T) Library of graphic organizers available in the following categories: general, sorting, graphs and charts, sequencing, storytelling, miscellaneous, KWL and KWHL

Cowan University: Ten Conversation Lessons
(B, I, T) Ten conversation lessons including simple stories, vocabulary practice, questions, and activities

ESL: Reading
(B, I, T) Reading links of interest to students and teachers of ESL students including: readings with comprehension questions, simplified classics for ESL students, illustrated versions of fables, BBC online news, short stories including listen-along files, etc.

ESL Reading Rubric
(B, I, T) Rubric table divided into reading level capabilities to assist the teacher in modifying lessons and assessments

ESL Learning Centre: Classic English Readings
(B, I, T) Short famous texts in English from classic sources including: poetry, Declaration of Independence, Shakespeare

© 2005 Mobile County Public Schools
 MCPSS is not responsible for the content of links beyond the initial levels
  in this site and does not officially endorse any software or other products mentioned 
on the linked sites.