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
DAILY LIFE Stories
EMPLOYMENT Stories
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
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)
HOUSING Stories
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)
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
My Daughter Is Sick (Level A)
My Daughter Is Sick (Level B-D)
What We Do in School (Level B/C)