I later made a packet of worksheets to practice abc sounds and easy reading. I would make copies of the worksheets for my students. This was a step in the right direction, but I still found it frustrating to make so many copies that would end up going to waste. Students didn't have the organizational skills to keep the papers in order. If students missed a day (as they so often did!), they were missing the worksheet. Often, I would see students rummage around in the bottom of a bag and pull out a wad of crumpled up papers. I felt like it was very time consuming to help students keep papers organized.
Next I started printing packets of abc practice and easy reading practice that I would bind with a spiral binding through our district's printing department. It was exciting for students to feel like they had a real "book" that they could learn from. Not a children's book. Not an ESL textbook that was cluttered with too many words on a page for a brand new reader. A very simple book that students could open to any page and feel like it was within their grasp to read the text with a little bit of instruction.
Two years ago, I attended an Educational Technology conference and learned about self publishing. With sites like www.lulu.com and www.createspace.com, it is now very easy and inexpensive to self-publish books with top quality results. I updated the materials that I had been testing with my adult ESL literacy learners for years, and had it printed into a book. abc English: Book One was the result. I've used it in its current format for the past two years, and am very pleased with how students get excited about it. I keep a class set of 25 books that I use daily in class. After being introduced to the books, some students have asked to buy their own to take home. When I've made that an option for my students, many take the opportunity to buy their own copy of the book. Those who prefer not to buy the book can always use one of the class set books.
I'm really happy having a "book" for my low level literacy students. I make many fewer copies than I used to. I don't feel like I'm wasting paper every day. Students don't end up with wads of crumpled up papers in their bags. Students have reading materials in their hands and in their homes that is at their level. Best of all, students tell me that they practice reading at home with their kids and spouses.
If you've used abc English in your classroom, please share your experiences in the comments below. What other books do you find useful for literacy level adult ESL learners?