Reading in Two Languages: Building a Bilingual Library

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

Imagine being expected to read, write, and learn math and science proficiently in a language you don't understand. That's the challenge many of my elementary students face on a daily basis at school - a challenge that is hindering the learning of many students.

My students are 2nd graders in a highly Latino urban neighborhood in California.

Most of my students enter Kindergarten knowing little or no English and are expected to achieve at the same levels as their English speaking peers. Because of this my school has developed a bilingual program, wherein students and their families opt into classrooms that, beginning in Kindergarten, teach primarily in Spanish (and gradually introduce English). This program, paired with the high quality lessons teachers prepare, not only helps our students develop strong Spanish language skills, but it also helps students access other important skills and content without a language barrier. Furthermore, when students have developed strong Spanish language skills they are then able to transfer their understanding of language to help them learn English more successfully.

My Project

I am requesting close to 50 children's books in Spanish at all different levels for my students to use during independent reading time. The bilingual program at my school is expanding slowly and currently we do not have enough books in Spanish for each child to read during our reading workshop. I aim to supplement our current library so that students will have access to around 5 books to read at their level each week. This will not only promote reading growth, but the variety of titles will also enhance engagement and interest in learning to read.

The bilingual model my school has implemented will surely enhance not only the Spanish language skills of my students but also the English language skills.

Already, 1st and 2nd grade students who entered school knowing little English are able to read, write and perform other subjects at grade level in BOTH languages. Having access to high quality literature in Spanish will strengthen our efforts to help these youngsters become proficient bilingual speakers, readers, writers and mathematicians.