There aren't many resources that support both students learning Spanish and Spanish-speaking heritage learners, but Scholastic Spanish magazines are available in a variety of levels, cover high-interest topics that are fun and exciting, and build vocabulary and transferable literacy skills.
I have over 150 students in a low-income public middle school.
More than a third of my students speak Spanish at home, but have very low literacy in Spanish. About one third of my Spanish-speaking students read in Spanish at the 2nd grade level or below. Most of my students do not have much literacy support at home, so incorporating high-interest, engaging reading material is crucial. Both my Spanish-speaking and non-Spanish-speaking students love to use Spanish to communicate with friends and family, play games, and sing songs.
My Project
The four Scholastic magazines I've requested will provide engaging, high interest text at a variety of levels for students to use to increase their vocabulary and practice transferable literacy skills. My Spanish-speaking students (heritage learners) will be able to read current, attractive, "cool" magazines without the stigma attached to children's books. Research shows that developing students' literacy in their first language is a key component for second language acquisition, so these Spanish texts and reading opportunities will also benefit students who are learning English. For my non-Spanish-speaking students, these magazines will engage students in learning high-frequency vocabulary and allow them to participate in real conversations in Spanish.
We must prepare our students to be multi-lingual readers and writers in order for them to have all the opportunities they deserve--in college, in careers, as citizens.
Whether students speak Spanish at home or not, they need access to high-interest, leveled text like these magazines. I know my students will love to learn with these magazines!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Unger and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.