Bilingual classrooms

6B) Plan development in each language

Follow an intentional, systematic plan for supporting the development of each language, which includes maintaining separate protected time for each language.

Strategy Overview: Haciendo conexciones lenguajes con nuestros niños

This guide (in Spanish) is designed to help families tap into the linguistic genius of their Multilingual children. It provides some common areas of transfer between Spanish and English and offers some suggestions for how to aid children in connecting their two languages at home.
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Strategy Overview: Making Cross-language Connections with our Children

This guide (in English) is designed to help families tap into the linguistic genius of their Multilingual children. It provides some common areas of transfer between Spanish and English and offers some suggestions for how to aid children in connecting their two languages at home.
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Planning Guide: Teaching for Spanish-English Transfer

This K-6 Planning Guide aids teachers in preparing grade-level appropriate transfer lessons. It is organized using both the Common Core State Standards in Spanish and the ELA standards. Implications for transfer lessons are offered for each grade level.
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Strategy Overview: Fostering Multilingual Pride

This strategy outlines ways teachers can foster multilingual pride with students.
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Resource Guide: A Deeper Look at Early Literacy

This interactive guide offers a comprehensive approach to literacy for Multilingual Learners. It is an overview of the language and literacy skills and instruction that children need at different stages of development. Common literacy terms are defined, instructional strategies are offered, and a picture of instruction, aligned across the grades is explained.
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Video: The Stages of Preschool Second Language Acquisition

In this video, the term the four stages of second language development for early education are described and then exemplified through teaching vignettes between one teacher and one Korean-speaking Multilingual Learner.
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Webinar: Starting a Dual Language Bilingual Program for Young Bilinguals

Educators at a newly formed bilingual school in New York City discuss "lessons learned" as they launched their program. They talk through their thinking about curriculum decisions, allocation of time in each language, physical space in the school, staff development, and relationship building with families. The last portion of the webinar is a Q&A.
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Webinar: Teaching Practices and Translanguaging Pedagogy

Educators at a newly formed 50-50 Spanish-English bilingual program in New York discuss their program design. They discuss how they systematically implement bilingual curriculum, use thematic units, and purposefully employ translanguaging techniques to integrate content and language instruction. Researcher Ofelia Garcia offers a reflection on translanguaging pedagogy at the end of the webinar.
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Blog: Equity Measures in Dual Language Education – Separation of Language

This blog makes the research-based case that language separation is a "non-negotiable" in a dual language program. Giving students access to content in their native language is a key component of accelerating achievement for Multilingual Learners.
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Strategy Overview: Strategic Grouping for Home Language Supports

Small group instruction is a key part of instruction for Multilingual Learners. In this resource, teachers find guidelines and rationale for different strategic groupings.
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Website: Planned Language Approach – Tips for Getting Started

The Planned Language Approach (PLA) is a comprehensive, research-based system for Head Start, Early Head Start, and early learning programs to ensure high-quality language and literacy experiences for all children, including Multilingual Learners. This website provides tips and links for educators and families to learn about implementing PLA.
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Strategy Overview: Use of Multiple Languages in the Classroom

In a bilingual classroom, or even when teachers do not speak the home language(s) of Multilingual Learners, there are many things the teacher can do to invite home languages into the classroom. This overview suggests the steps teachers can take to draw on all of their students' linguistic resources during instruction.
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Strategy Overview: Supporting Bilingualism

Research has proven that the strongest foundation for academic success and high levels of literacy for Multilingual Learners is the development of both their home language and English. This overview describes strategies that schools, teachers, and families can use to support multilingualism.
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Video & Video Guide: Bilingualism Through the Eyes of a Student

Students share their ideas about the benefits of being bilingual. They explain why speaking two languages is important and a source of pride. The accompanying guide suggests moments in the video to pause to notice teachers’ practice, along with prompts for reflection and discussion.
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Video & Video Guide: Bilingualism Through the Eyes of Families

Family members share their ideas about the benefits of being bilingual. They explain how speaking two languages is critical to maintain family life and cultural identity. The accompanying guide suggests moments in the video to pause to notice teachers’ practice, along with prompts for reflection and discussion.
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