Oral Language | Reading | Writing

Meet Isaiah

Isaiah is 6 years old, and is in Kindergarten at an elementary school in a medium sized Midwest town.  Born in the Midwest, Isaiah and his mother moved to Puebla, Mexico when he was one years old.  After spending time in Mexico for four years, Isaiah, his mother, and grandfather returned to the Midwest. 

Spanish is the language spoken in the home, but his Mom can speak some English.  His mother is a live-in nanny for a Mexican American family living in the Midwest. The family speaks both English and Spanish, and they asked Isaiah’s mom to speak Spanish to their 4 kids so they don’t forget the language. Being that Isaiah is the only child, he is also able to play along with the family’s 4 children.

Isaiah receives daily ESL instruction through a pull-out program taught by a certified ESL teacher. He receives this instruction in a small group with 8 students at the intermediate to advanced levels of English proficiency.  His school has a one-to-one technology program and provides each student with an iPad for use at school and at home.  Neither of his regular classroom teachers have received specific training on how to work with ELLs.  Isaiah’s official English language proficiency level is 3.1 (WIDA).

Isaiah enjoys school and finds mathematics his top subject. While home, in his off time, Isaiah really enjoys helping his mom cook for the family.  He likes to help his mom prepare mole poblano, which is a sauce that includes spices and chocolate, his two favorite things!  He wants to one day be on the Food Network Channel creating family dishes.   

Reading sample: The Big Bug