It can be challenging to find quality beginning level reading materials that reflect the lived experience of our adult learners. To solve the issue, we invited New York State Teacher Leaders to choose a true story from one of their student’s lives and write a short book. We are happy to add Ready for the Real Thing to the field. In it we meet Maria and see firsthand how her English class helps her prepare for an unexpected turn of events. Included here are two versions: the booklet format (URL link above) can be printed double-sided on 8×11 paper and folded; the original version (PDF link above) is full 8×11 pages for reading online. A few images from the book:
The accompanying Activity Set (URL 2 link above. For educators who need one, here is a pdf version of the Activity Set) demonstrates how beginning level* teachers can use a short book like this as the springboard for working on speaking, listening, reading, structured writing, and grammar in engaging, interactive activities. Those unfamiliar with teaching beginning level English learners may be surprised at the number of activities and accompanying materials for such a short book. Experienced teachers of this level know, however, that language knowledge cannot be taken for granted.
You will find pre-reading, during reading, and post-reading activities, with a heavy emphasis on the first. The set is not divided into clear three- or four-hour lessons, but rather into corresponding sections of Ready for the Real Thing. The length and number of activities each day may vary; we recognize that teachers may need to spend time addressing other student and programmatic needs. They should consider their students, choose which activities to incorporate, and adapt as needed.
Several activities model specific skills that prepare adults for success in educational and workforce settings. Learners will among other things: cite evidence to support their answers; identify the main idea; compare and contrast; sort and categorize; create and interpret graphs and tables; make predictions; offer opinions and collaborate with classmates.
*Please see the complete Activity Set introduction for a more about the level of the materials.
The book and activity set were made possible through support from the New York State Education Department, Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services.
