Promote Literacy at Home with Spanish Books

We want to get families reading and thinking critically!! I teach an integrated first grade class. This class is currently made up of 18 general education students and 9 special education students who are provided instruction in an integrated classroom full-time. I am the special education teacher in the class, and there is also a full-time general education teacher. It's a brand new program in our district that is allowing us to meet the needs of all students in an inclusive environment, and we love it! Our population is highly Spanish-speaking, and many of the parents do not read or write in English.

Our first-graders LOVE to read and discuss books, but many can't do this with their families unless they have access to Spanish books. Our school started a reading program that has the kids so excited about reading and has prompted incredible discussions. A Spanish-speaking first-grader receiving special education services recently responded to a story, saying, "I don't think Lilly was being patient in class. She was being selfish." The kids are no longer just retelling the stories they read -- They are discussing the rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution (using that vocabulary!). They are discussing character traits and feelings. They are providing evidence from the text for their ideas. They are FIRST GRADERS (and the majority are English Language Learners)! The parents will be participating in a literacy night to help them understand how to discuss books with their children and promote critical thinking. If they don't have Spanish books available at home, this training will likely not be put into practice.

The students are expected to read to their families every night using a book that they have practiced in class. These books are in English. However, they are also expected to have a book read to them by an adult or older family member. This helps model fluent reading and allows for deeper discussions based on comprehension critical thinking. The students check out books from our classroom library every day to have their families share with them at home, but because such a large percentage of the students come from Spanish-speaking families, bringing home books in English is not helpful. I would like to increase our classroom library's Spanish book collection by 30 books so that the parents and students will be able to share reading experiences at home. I have chosen Spanish/bilingual versions of popular children stories that will allow Spanish-speaking families to support their students' literacy development and critical thinking skills at home.

You will help these students (many of whom are currently performing below grade level) become surrounded by literacy and a love of reading in all parts of their lives, including at home. You will make it possible for their families to be a part of that!! Thank you so much for your help!! We want EVERY student reading and thinking critically!!