This study explored the instructional potential of bilingual picturebooks for building word consciousness in bilingual elementary students. Word consciousness refers to knowledge about words as well as interest in and enthusiasm for learning new words. This disposition helps students build their vocabularies and learn more words from talk and…

Since many bilingual students do not have access to bilingual education, this article illustrates how to collaborate with families and create instructional innovations to support biliteracy for all young bilinguals. The authors implemented a Biliteracy Jumpstart for 6 weeks at the beginning of school year culminating in Family Biliteracy Day with…

Educators consider guided reading one of the most powerful instructional tools in a reading teacher's arsenal. Yet, when it comes to emergent bilinguals in both monolingual English and bilingual settings, guided reading is implemented monolingually, or in one language at a time. As the field of reading instruction has moved toward a more…

We begin this article with a brief look at opportunities to learn for the nation's growing numbers of Emerging Bilingual children. We briefly present the research literature that supports the use of children's languages other in English (LOTEs) in literacy instruction whether the children are participating in bilingual/dual language programs or…

In this article, the authors share their experiences creating and implementing a unit focused on supporting bilingual identities through integrating language domains and translanguaging with authentic writing experiences. Two dual-language first-grade teachers from Colombia and the US worked together to model, celebrate, and support the use of…

Drawing from a qualitative case study that examined the language practices and learning in a first grade bilingual classroom, the author discusses one teacher's daily process for the literacy event of the morning message. Primary findings indicate that the ways the teacher listened and responded to students during the morning message provided…

Presents results of research in multilanguage teaching in the Philippines. (JM)

Presents a brief overview of research and theory associated with providing second-language learners with instruction in their primary language. Describes five general strategies for providing bilingual students with first-language support. Notes that the examples come from teachers who have a strong commitment to supporting the development of all…

Describes the rationale and methods used in Mexico for developing and using bilingual materials for both primary school students and adults. Presents a modification of the system that is designed to improve native-language skills while teaching English as a second language. (FL)

Describes and evaluates an English-Hebrew program designed to develop biliteracy in kindergarten children. (FL)

Discusses a bilingual literary unit (English and Spanish) of scarey stories, intended to help students learn about this body of literature and discover ways of coping with fear themselves. Includes a 14-item annotated bibliography of suitable texts. (SR)

Discusses and dispels four myths about second-language education. Shows that ample evidence favors bilingualism, bilingual education, and literacy in children's native languages as the means to help children grow academically. Offers "best practices" recommendations regarding program, methods, materials, and parental involvement. (SR)

Investigates the effects of prediction strategies and predictable materials in teaching ethnic Chinese children in the United States to read in Chinese. Shows that the use of predictable materials and prediction strategies resulted in good responses by the beginning Chinese readers. (MM)