Benchmark Education Company - English ExplorersTM Literacy Instruction Allows

English ExplorersTM Literacy Instruction Allows

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Jay Castelli Benchmark Education Company 914-637-7254 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it	Charlene Blohm C. Blohm & Associates, Inc. 608-839-9800 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

English Explorers™ Literacy Instruction Allows ELL Students at All Levels to Discuss Curriculum Content
New series from Benchmark Education Company offers science and social studies content at TESOL proficiency levels
PELHAM, N.Y. (March 8, 2006) – Projections indicate that by 2015, more than 50 percent of all students in public schools across the U.S. will not speak English as their first language. As many teachers can already testify to the rapid growth of the English-language learner population, it is imperative that we do not marginalize these students as they develop both literacy and language skills. That’s why Benchmark Education Company, a leading provider of literacy products and services for K-8 students and their teachers, incorporates curriculum content at every level of its new research-based ELL supplemental series. English Explorers is a thematic series of science and social studies chapter books designed to help teach English language and literacy skills to students in grades 3 and up. The series of leveled books motivates and supports students by using grade-level social studies and science content to help build skills such as fluency and comprehension as students learn English. As a result, every English-language learner using the series has equal access to grade-level academic content and vocabulary as they develop language and literacy. Each of the four English Explorers levels is directly aligned to English language proficiency levels as defined by Teachers of English Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). "We know that not all English-language learners have the same needs. Including books to adequately support students at the beginning proficiency level was a high priority for us," said Tom Reycraft, president of Benchmark Education Company. "We looked at the materials currently available to teachers, and we found that they don’t really account for the needs of newcomers. Our series does. We want students to begin their journey to English language, literacy, and content development on the very first day in their new classroom." The 96 English Explorers titles are grouped around 16 social studies and science themes, such as Ancient Civilizations and The Environment. An audio CD for each title provides a complete text reading, fluency practice through echo-reading, and listening and speaking activities. Pricing for English Explorers ranges from $37 for a six-pack of individual titles with Teacher’s Guide to $1,995 for a complete science or social studies leveled set comprised of 288 texts plus 48 Teacher’s Guides and audio CDs. Additional pricing options include theme sets and on-site professional development. For more information, visit www.benchmarkeducation.com.
About Benchmark Education Company Benchmark Education Company is committed to helping K-8 students attain lifelong literacy by publishing a wide range of reading resources and services for all learners. Benchmark Education recognizes that classrooms are comprised of many kinds of students, including gifted, on-level, and struggling readers; students with learning disabilities; and students who are still mastering English as a second language. The company helps educators take each learner on a different road toward academic success through research-based and standards-aligned products and services. Benchmark Education is located in Pelham, New York. For more information, call 1-877-236-2465 or visit www.benchmarkeducation.com.
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