1. Leveled Literacy Intervention for ELLs
Orange System Blue System
Green System Red System
Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) is a systematic small group reading intervention program developed by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. This presentation will explain how to use the LLI program with low achieving ELL students. LLI can be used as iii or for RTI (Tier I/II).

2. Overview of LLI
LLI is designed to supplement, not substitute for, the small-group instruction that children receive in the classroom.
LLI lessons are provided daily for thirty minutes.
LLI lessons are fast paced.
LLI focuses on comprehension, early writing conventions, and fluent phrased reading.
(Pause presentation to show video clip 1)
In your LLI kit there is a technology package which contains CDs that can provide more professional development and tutorials. ’

3. Getting Started
The EDW report RTSLA0366 (ELL CELLA Data for Exit and Extension) can be useful when selecting ELL students for LLI instruction. Focus on ELL students who are below grade level. In general you should not have too much of a gap between children in a group. One area to utilize on the CELLA Data report is the ELDC column. It’s recommended that students selected are beyond beginning speakers (ELDC: B). Beginning ELL students need more focus on oral language development at this point. The CELLA report should also provide current RRR levels which will help indentify low achieving students (Pause to practice/discuss using a CELLA report to form groups)

4. LLI Lesson Structure Orange-Blue Systems 5 Minutes 15 Minutes
If Time Allows
Odd-Numbered Lessons
Rereading Books
Phonic/
Word Work
New Book
(Instructional Level)
Letter/
Even-Numbered Lessons
Rereading Books and Assessment
Writing About Reading
(Independent Level)
Optional Word Work
(Pause to demonstrate and review LLI lesson components)
The LLI Orange, Green and Blue System lessons are structured to be thirty minutes long (five days a week) with very specific use of the thirty minutes as depicted in the chart above.
Students will have five minutes for rereading, five minutes for phonics/word work, fifteen minutes for reading a new (instructional level book) or writing about reading, and five minutes of word work. The structure of the Red LLI system can be modified from forty five minutes to thirty minutes.

5. Does LLI Work? Research Results:
The Instructional reading level gain for the LLI students in the research is depicted in the chart above. 73% of the ELL students demonstrated an instructional level 3 levels or higher than their pre-LLI level.
(Research base for Leveled Literacy Intervention. Heinemann.(2014). Web 29 July
A Research data collection project concluded that LLI resulted in accelerated progress amongst ELL students. LLI has been a successful
intervention because children read every day at their instructional level with teacher support as well as at their independent level with little or no support.
In addition, the LLI systems provide systematic instruction in phonemic awareness and in phonics. LLI provides daily opportunities to increase fluency
through oral rereading of texts. It also provides explicit instruction on comprehension. It includes writing and is designed to expand vocabulary and
develop oral language.

6. LLI ELL Modifications Extended time
Comprehension questions repeated in the home language (when necessary and possible)
Use of technology and graphic organizers to demonstrate realia
Extended background knowledge lessons for vocabulary
Information conveyed orally, by actions, through pictures, and in writing
Repeated practice reading, speaking and writing
Modifications can be made to meet the needs of ELL students during LLI. Though LLI was developed to be a short-term program designed to bring children up to grade-level performance in as little as 18–24 weeks. ELL students will likely benefit from additional time in the program. These students can also be given extended time to answer questions, especially during even day testing. Teacher may need to take time to provide students additional background knowledge and visuals, etc.

7. Organization/Schedule
Arrange the kit(s): books & activities in order
Prepare individual bins/folders for groups
Preview/print lessons & activities in advance
Possible additional materials:
Small white boards & dry-erase markers, markers, chart paper, magnetic letters, cardstock, one inch sentence strips, white correction tape, highlight tape, sandwich bags, envelopes
On p.24 of the Program Guide is a list of suggested materials and supplies. (Pause to hand out/discuss copies provided and for organization demonstrations)
Organization and preparation is essential for the success of LLI. LLI is so fast paced that it would benefit the teacher to have all lesson activities and materials prepared and close at hand before each lesson.

8. LLI Resources Are Found:
On the Lesson Resources CD Found in the LLI System Technology Package
Online at
(you must first register with a product key)
LLI provides resources to supplement and enhance lessons. Resources include communication tools for informing parents (in their home language) about what children are learning and how they can support them at home.
Additional lesson resources are: technology support for assessment, record keeping, home and classroom connections, activity fold sheets, word study activities, oral games, high frequency word games, word hunts etc. Resources can be printed and assembled.
Group Activity:(make a Follow the Path Game Board for a particular skill)

9. Questions/Comments
Thank you! Linda Larson Ornela E-Joseph