It is always a challenge to meet student needs and have fun at the same time. Furthermore, with the diversifying student population, there is a need for new and creative ideas for learning. Students whose native language is not English, English as a Second Language (ESL) students, need specific activities to meet their learning and language needs.

Make-A-Pyramid
Oral language practice is key for ESL students, and you can make language practice a game in any classroom subject. Put students in pairs, assign them a question and have them talk with their partner about their answer. When students are finished discussing and are ready to share, they can make a pyramid in the air with their hands. The teacher can go tap on a pyramid and those group members can share what they discussed. Students in third grade love to interact and discuss with one another, and by introducing a pyramid, it makes practicing English into a game.

Do You Have Any...? Go Fish
Grammar practice is another important element when teaching ESL students. Many students have trouble identifying when to use the words "some" and "any." Make pairs with the cards, one with a picture of the food item and the other card with the word name. Have students match the cards as an activity and then play Go Fish. In groups of two to four, have students shuffle the cards and pass them out evenly. Each student takes a turn asking someone, "Do you have any....?" The person asked must either answer, "Yes, I do" and give them the card, or "No, I don't." Then the next person in the circle gets to ask. When all the cards are paired, the game is over and the winner is whoever has the most pairs. You can also play the game by having students use the language "Can I have some....?" to ask the other players, and they reply, "Yes, you can. Here you go." or "I do not have..."

Act-it-Out Reading Comprehension
Summarizing is a major skill to develop in third grade and can be difficult for students. One way to practice summarizing is through role play. This is beneficial for ESL students because they are given opportunities to practice language and content skills, through making meaningful connections to text. After reading a story, have students re-enact what happened in the story. Have students assign characters, draw or re-create the setting, and retell using sequence words. Orally and visually display sequence words the students can use such as "first," "next," "then," and "finally." Write the student-made summary on the board for students to see. This activity is engaging for kinesthetic, visual, and auditory learners. Kids also love to be in charge of their learning and will have a lasting memory of the story.