Unite for Literacy has created a “Unite Online Library,” which “provides free access to more than 400 original picture books, one fourth of them written in Spanish. The digital books provide audio narrations in more than 40 languages, spoken by native speakers in warm, expressive voices. The languages of narration include indigenous and endangered languages along with languages most widely spoken in the US.”

This PDF is a short fact sheet that provides quick tips that one can use to help refugee students in the classroom.

Colorín Colorado has created a resource page for educators working with refugee students, stating that “these articles, video clips, books, and online resources focus on ways educators can support students and families who are refugees. Materials and guidance include ideas for instruction, matching students and families with needed services, providing important social and emotional support, and ways to welcome students into the school community. In addition, we provide background information from veteran educators and refugee support organizations.”

The Immigrant Learning Center contains “strategies and Tools for K-12 and Adult Educators, a free online workshop offered every July, is for teachers, administrators, librarians, counselors and volunteers to encourage the progress of immigrant and refugee students for the benefit of the whole classroom.”

BRYCS – Bridging Refugee Youth and Children’s Services – describes itself as an ” information hub for empowering immigrant children and their families. BRYCS maintains the nation’s largest online collection of resources related to refugee and immigrant children and families.  The BRYCS Web site and Clearinghouse is geared towards front-line workers, program planners, and administrators as well as researchers and policy-makers.”

The University of Alberta has recorded webinars about various topics related to refugee needs in the classroom. While this university is located in Canada, the topics are applicable regardless of location.

If you are interested in learning more, the Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages and the National Education Association have compiled a resource list of websites that help educators support the education of refugee children.

Under international law, a refugee is an individual who is “unable to return to his or her home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group. As the U.S. Department of State notes, “refugees are subject to the highest level of security checks of any entrant to the United States.”