Culture, Trauma and English Language Learners

Jennifer Ciccaglione

This two-week curriculum unit is designed to teach small groups of English Language Learners in a pull out setting. Students will learn the definition of trauma, and relate their own traumatic experiences to those of literary characters specifically focusing on the essential questions: How does culture shape our sense of self and belonging? How can culture and family values help each other through hardships? What cultural aspects are significant in overcoming traumatic experiences? There are three activities to use with each story organized as Before Reading, During Reading, and After Reading and covers vocabulary study, book discussions, and an opportunity for students to produce something relative. Teachers of English Language Learners can use this unit as an opportunity to help children recognize and share their traumas and/or cultural values while also learning the four domains of the English language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.