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 will be added as they become available! In the interim, story slides can be modified and printed for in person classes.
HEALTH Stories
Jen Gets a Check-Up (Level A)
Jen Gets a Check-Up (Level B/C)
Jen Gets a Check-Up (Level D)
Sasha Calls the Doctor (Level A)
Sasha Calls the Doctor (Level B/C)
Sasha Calls the Doctor (Level D)
Sasha Calls the Doctor Printables
Amir Gets Sick (Bow Valley)
Jiadeep's Big Fall (Bow Valley)
Mr. Smith is Sick (Level A) (Literacy MN)
Hurt At School (Level A) (Literacy MN)
Mr. Smith Goes to the Clinic (Level A) (Literacy MN)
Mr. Smith Goes to the Clinic (Level B/C) (Literacy MN)
Mr. Smith Goes to the Clinic (Level D) (Literacy MN)
FOOD Stories
Emma Makes Soup (Level A)
Emma Makes Soup (Level B/C)
Emma Makes Soup (Level D)
Deb Sets the Table (Level A)
Deb Sets the Table (Level B/C)
Deb Sets the Table (Level D)
The Restaurant Kitchen (Level A)
The Restaurant Kitchen (Level B/C)
The Restaurant Kitchen (Level D)
Benjamin's Garden (Level A)
Benjamin's Garden (Level B/C)
Benjamin's Garden (Level D)
Mary's Garden (Level A)
Mary's Garden (Level B/C)
Mary's Garden (Level D)
Lien Buys Food (Bow Valley)
Lien Goes Shopping (Bow Valley)
Food from Home (Bow Valley)
FINANCIAL LITERACY Stories
Spending Too Much Money (Level D) (Bow Valley)
COMMUNITY Stories
Maria's Errands (Level A)
Maria's Errands (Level B/C)
Maria's Errands (Level D)
Anna Takes A Walk (Level A)
Anna Takes a Walk (Level B/C)
Anna Takes a Walk (Level D)
Places in the City (Level A)
Places in the City (Level B/C)
Places in the City (Level D)
Andres Needs Gas (Bow Valley)
Mursal on the Bus (Bow Valley)
DAILY LIFE Stories
EMPLOYMENT Stories
Inge Cuts Hair (Bow Valley)
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)
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)
Mark Goes to the Dentist (Bow Valley)
My Daughter is Sick (Level A) (Literacy MN)
My Daughter is Sick (Level B/C) (Literacy MN)
My Daughter is Sick (Level D) (Literacy MN)
HOUSING Stories
Perminder's Cleaning Day (Bow Valley)
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) (Bow Valley)
Deng Starts School (Level B) (Bow Valley)
Sado Goes to School (Level A)
Sado Goes to School (Level C)
Mursal’s Trip to School (Level D) (Bow Valley)
CLOTHING / SHOPPING 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)