Stories written by students are linguistically, emotionally, experientially and developmentally appropriate for the student because they contain their own words based on their personal experiences. Such stories are used to encourage active learning about and synthesis of the environment, and to provide a literary base for reading practice and instruction. When the stories are based on experiences in the English speaking culture, the students are able to communicate their impressions of the new culture to their teachers and classmates as the stories are translated. Also, the sequence of stories becomes a documentation of individual progress in language. You are encouraged to use these as examples for your own creative curriculum development.
Songs can enhance the learning of the concepts and vocabulary of the story.
In addition to the original songs developed in ESL classrooms, many songs have been included for their lasting value to represent U.S. culture. You are encouraged to seek more songs and stories, and use this series as a model for ideas in adapting culturally authentic materials for language learning. The learning of a second language can be enhanced by using musical methods. Oral and aural participation of every student is encouraged by singing. As students gain confidence in their language ability and can actively participate in the creation of songs, the lessons become very personal, developmentally appropriate, and motivational.