Theme-Based Stories

The resources on this page are free hi-lo readers organized to parallel the theme-based vocabulary units. Typically, instructors/tutors should lay vocabulary groundwork before introducing learners to these stories. The stories are a continuation of vocabulary acquisition plus a bridge toward meaning-making with text. The stories are a compilation of readers created by the Pathway to Literacy team or adapted from stories produced by Literacy Minnesota, Bow Valley School of Global Access, We Speak NYC, and CIWA. 

 Overview of Approach

The scaffolded reading approach, which is outlined below, is used with learners in the classroom.

Day 1:

• Introduce the story with pictures/background 

• Read the story aloud to the learners (don’t show the words)

• Ask Yes/No comprehension questions

Day 2:

• Read the story aloud to the learners (show the words)

• Read the story again, with students repeating (echo reading)

• Read numbered sentence(s) from the story - students identify which # sentence you're reading

• Ask wh- comprehension questions

Day 3:

• Read the story all together (choral reading)

• Have students read a word or sentence, depending on their level

• Ask personalized questions for learners based on the story

To this approach demonstrated, watch the Recording Classroom Assistant Training (1.5-hour video). 

Printable formats are coming soon!   In the interim, story slides can be modified and printed for in person classes.  

COMMUNITY Stories

• Maria's Errands 

• Mursal on the Bus

• Anna Takes A Walk 

• Inge Cuts Hair 

• Andres Needs Gas 

DAILY LIFE Stories

• Mo and Sam in the Morning (Level A)

• Pam Makes Tea

• Jan's Work Day  

• A Day with Grandpa

• New To Indianapolis  

EMPLOYMENT Stories

• Ade Gets A Job 

• Inge Cuts Hair 

• Fatima Gets A Job 

SUCCESS AT WORK Stories

• Jobs at Home (Level A)

• Jobs at Home (Level B/C)

• Jobs at Home (Level D)

• Feza is a Homemaker (Level A)

• Fatima Gets a Job (Level A)

• Tom’s First Day (Level A)

• Tom’s First Day (Level B)

• Tom’s First Day (Level C)

• Tom’s First Day (Level D)

• Trouble at Work (Level A)

• Trouble at Work (Level B/C)

• Trouble at Work (Level D)

• Who Works There? (Level A)

• Who Works There? (Level B-C) 

• Ade Applies for a Job (Level D)

• Nat Gets a Job (Level A)

• Nat Gets A Job (Level B)

• Nat Gets a Job  (Level C)

• Nat Gets a Job  (Level D)

• Help at Work  (Level A)

• Help at Work (Level B/C)

• Help at Work (Level D)

• My Job (Level A) 

Food Stories

• Lien Buys Food 

• Lien Goes Shopping 

• Food from Home 

• Sara Sets the Table 

• The Family Eats Dinner  

• Grandma Doesn’t Like Vegetables 

• Alisa Eats Chokos 

• The Restaurant Kitchen 

• Greg Cooks Bacon 

HEALTH / HEALTHCARE Stories

• Ken Works Out (Level A)

• Ken Works out (Level B/C)

• Ken Works out (Level D)

• I Go to the Pharmacy (Level A)

• I Go to the Pharmacy (Level B/C) 

• 9-1-1 Emergency (Level A)

• 9-1-1 Emergency (Level B/C)

• At the Dentist (Level A)

• Eye Exam (Level A)

• Eye Exam (Level B/C)

• Amir Gets Sick

• Mark Goes to the Dentist   

• Hurt At School 

HOUSING Stories

• An Apartment for Two  

• A New Table 

• Perminder's Cleaning Day

• Washing Machine Repair

• Leaky Pipe

SCHOOL/EDUCATION Stories

• What We Do in School (Level A)

• What We Do in School (Level B/C)

• What We Do in School (Level D) 

• School on Zoom (Level A)

• School on Zoom (Level B/C)

• School on Zoom (Level D) 

• Ready for School (Level A)

• Ready for School (Level B/C)

• Ready for School (Level D) 

• How Much Money? 

• Meet the Teacher (Level A)

• Meet the Teacher (Level B/C)

• Meet the Teacher (Level D)

• Parent Teacher Conference (Level D)

• Deng Starts School (Level A)

• Deng Starts School (Level B)

• Sado Goes to School (Level A)

• Sado Goes to School (Level C)

• Mursal’s Trip to School (Level D) 

SHOPPING/ CLOTHING Stories

• A New Shirt  (Level A)

• A New Shirt  (Level B/C)

• A New Shirt  (Level D)

• Colors at the Store  (Level A)

• Colors at the Store  (Level B/C)

• Colors at the Store (Level D)

• Anna Buys Soap  (Level A)

• Anna Buys Soap  (Level B/C)

• Anna Buys Soap (Level D) 

• Maria Goes Shopping (Level A)

• Maria Goes Shopping (Level B/C)

• Maria Goes Shopping (Level D) 

FAMILY Stories

• The Badu Family (Level A)

• The Badu Family (Level B-C)

• The Badu Family (Level D)

• My Daughter Is Sick (Level A)

• My Daughter Is Sick (Level B-D)

• The Badu Family Eats Dinner

• The Family Eats Dinner Level A

• The Family Eats Dinner Levels B-C

• The Family Eats Dinner Level D

• What We Do in School (Level B/C)

Additional Sources of Reading Materials

• ESL Literacy Readers by Bow Valley College 

• LESLLA List of Reading Materials & Curriculum Resources

• Literacy Minnesota Readers

• Free Online Reading and Listening Resources for Adult ESL students (Literacy MN)