Kindergarten ESL Curriculum Guide

ESL instruction is aligned with the WIDA Key Language Uses and planned collaboratively to address core content areas, including ELA Modules. Students engage with books, build content knowledge, and share what they have learned through academic conversations and emerging literacy skills. ESL instruction responds to the cultural and linguistic knowledge and strategies that students hold and those that they need for success in school.

Unit	Timeframe	Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Newcomer curriculum (optional - based on teacher recommendation)	6-8 weeks	How can I be a member of the school community? How is my language different/same as English?	Students will INFORM by identifying/naming/labeling to participate in grade-appropriate exchanges of information EXPLAIN by summarizing main ideas and key details to describe or report information ARGUE by supporting one’s own opinions with reasons
Building Literacy in a Collaborative Classroom: Toys and Play	10 Weeks	What can we do to make playing together fun? What makes toys fun? Which classroom toy do I prefer? Why do I prefer that classroom toy? What toys do others prefer? Why do they prefer them?	Students will NARRATE, INFORM, EXPLAIN and ARGUE by asking and answering questions by describing details by participating in collaborative conversations by connecting text with illustrations
Learning through Science and Story: Weather Wonders	10 Weeks	What is weather? How can I be prepared for any type of weather? What is weather like around the world How does weather affect people? How can I write a story that teaches my reader about weather?	Students will NARRATE, INFORM, EXPLAIN and ARGUE by identifying cause and effect by describing observations by asking and answering questions by participating in collaborative conversations by connecting text with illustrations
Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Trees are Alive	10 Weeks	What do all living things need to live and grow? What do researchers do? How do we know that something is living? How do living things depend on trees to meet their needs? What patterns can we observe in how living things meet their needs?	Students will NARRATE, INFORM, EXPLAIN and ARGUE by describing details and facts by categorizing by asking and answering questions by participating in collaborative conversations by connecting text with illustrations through research
Contributing to Community: Enjoying and Appreciating Trees	10 Weeks	How and why are trees important to us and our communities? How can we inspire others to appreciate and enjoy trees?	Students will NARRATE, INFORM, EXPLAIN and ARGUE by stating an opinion and supporting details by asking and answering questions by participating in collaborative conversations by connecting text with illustrations through revising their writing

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Kindergarten ESL Curriculum Guide