Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chamchiman]

Would you be able to recommend a good novel for high-level elementary students?

By high-level I guess I mean they are reading at a level similar to a couple of grades down in an English-speaking country. I have some sixth grade students who have studied and lived abroad and are probably reading at around the fourth or fifth grade level (back home).

I'm thinking something around the same difficulty as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or slightly more challenging. I did Island of the Blue Dolphins in a hagwon and I thought it was pretty good for that level (though I probably enjoyed the book a lot more than they did).

Any suggestions would be very welcome. Cheers.

[adeline]

I recommend Holes by Sachar, or any of his books really. American children read this book at 8-12 years old. It might be challenging for your students but everyone loves it.

[semi-fly]

I would recommend:

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

Nothing wrong with the classics.

[hossenfeffer]

You could try Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet." Kids really seem to like this story.

[toki]

My high-level third graders (native English speakers) really enjoy the Magic Tree House Series. Although it's a fiction series, the stories revolve around actual events in history, science phenomena, etc. (each story has a nonfiction companion that can be read for research purposes). Subjects range from the rainforest to the Titanic.

Generally, a kid's non-fiction reading level is one or two levels below their fiction reading level. This series of books might be challenging (but I don't think frustrating) for your high-level English Language Learners.

Fun and informative, highly recommended.

[Kikomom]

You might find something here, for all levels:

Children's Books Online - The Rosetta Project

True classics.

[kittykoo]

I have taught classes of advanced students that enjoyed "The Little Prince" and I think most Asian students appreciate material that is translated into English from their native languages. Korean myths and legends in particular, usually highlight some aspect of character or culture that reinforces positive traits and fosters self-esteem. You can't go wrong there.

[xtchr]

Charlotte's Web

(Just a guess, never used it myself).

[ddeubel]

Here are the top books rated and recommended from thousands of elementary teachers I surveyed. Click on any of the links for elementary readers....

http://books4teachers.org/classroom20bookstore.html

Lots of great books and go to Classroom 2.0 for discussion.

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

PS> Hard to know what to suggest, since I don't know your class. but I would suggest that many of the books already suggested are just WAY too high a level for EFL students. Use the 3 finger rule. IF there are more than 3 words on a page a student reads, that they don't know - toss it. (5 fingers works with native speakers...). But the best thing with ELLs is audio books. Check out all the thousands of free ones under books on EFL Classroom 2.0 . Check out our diigo under Resources for lots of reading links to only the best sites. http://www.diigo.com/list/eflclassroom/reading-and-stories

[Tobias]

Ever try encyclopedias? I loved reading Britannica growing up. Easy vocab, nice pictures, info presented in chunks. Good stuff.

I know where there's a whole set of used encyclopedias sitting on a bookstore shelf as I type this. Bet it'd run 150K at most to snare those. But then one would have to lug them on the bus.

[Chamchiman]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

[Kikomom]

Here's an article that might make some fun reading for them.

Aliens exist, but NASA covers them up says astronaut
Telegraph.co.uk