May 15, 2025
Thursday Edition
Empowering Dual Language Immersion educators with best practices, relevant research, classroom tips, and fun ideas that will inspire you into, through and beyond your teaching week.
Our Craft
Language Arts vs World Language
In Dual Language Immersion programs, language arts is taught in English and a target language from the start of the program. When a district is ready to expand its DLI program to the secondary level, namely middle school, the secondary Spanish class must be viewed as a Spanish language arts class. I recently visited a DLI middle school program, and what stood out to me was that the Spanish middle school class was taught like a foreign or world language class, not a dual immersion language arts class. This distinction is important because students moving on to middle school have engaged in Spanish language arts class since the beginning of the program. Middle school teachers need to know that the Dual Immersion Spanish class is a grade-level Spanish language arts class, not a Spanish world language class.
Common Core en español
The standards that drive a secondary DLI Spanish class are the Common Core language arts standards en español. The secondary classes are a continuation of elementary Spanish language arts, much in the same way secondary English is a continuation of elementary English language arts. Students should be engaging in discussions based on fiction and non-fiction grade-level texts. Students should be responding to texts using high-level vocabulary, as they continue on their journey to developing higher levels of bilingualism & biliteracy.
The Importance of Program Planning
Program planning is essential when developing a DLI program at both the elementary and secondary levels. DLI professional development and training are crucial not only for the success of the program but also to keep students engaged and excited about being in the program. I can't blame the secondary Spanish teacher who was told 'third period' is the Dual Immersion class and was not given any other guidance. Why would they know any different? It is important for those in charge of developing the secondary programs that the proper training is given to both teachers and administrators, as well as the appropriate coding of the Spanish course. In my former district, our secondary Spanish DLI classes were coded Spanish for Spanish Speakers, which wasn't exactly accurate, but it was the closest match because there wasn't a Spanish Language Arts code for secondary. With that said, we were clear that the DLI class was a Spanish Language Arts class and treated it as such when adopting textbooks and creating a course outline. The transition from elementary to secondary is a critical point in the implementation of a Dual Language Immersion program to ensure students choose to continue in the program and to ensure teachers receive the support they need to be successful as a secondary DLI teacher. This includes teachers who are teaching content in Spanish, such as history or math. The secondary DLI math teacher, for example, needs to understand that they are responsible for both the continued development of the language of math as well as the math content.
Cycle of Continuous Implementation
Program planning and evaluation is an ongoing process for DLI programs. We need to continuously ask ourselves: Are we meeting the goals of the program for ALL students? We are a unique program with our own foundational pillars that require close monitoring to ensure that all students reach their highest potential. We are not the English monolingual program in Spanish (or insert any target language). The end of the school year is the time to reflect on how your program is staying true to the DLI Pillars of Bilingualism & Biliteracy, Academic Achievement in Two Languages, and Sociocultural Competence, all while ensuring that our programs are available and accessible to all students, especially our Multilingual learners. While you're reflecting on the effectiveness of your program, don't forget to ask the students to reflect on their bilingual journey this year. Ask them: How do you feel your newer language has progressed this year? The process of reflection and continuous implementation will ensure that your team remains focused on the promise of Dual Language Immersion Education!
Let's Have Some Fun!
Love this idea by @yinasteaching where she uses a familiar melody, Baby Shark, and applies it to her phonics instruction.
Add a Butterfly Garden to your classroom! Your students will enjoy watching the caterpillars turn into chrysalides and eventually emerge as butterflies. Insect Lore was a must each year in my classroom!
Señorita Mariposa Bookshop Amazon
De la oruga a la mariposa Bookshop Amazon
Mi vida como mariposa Monarca Bookshop Amazon
Interactive Read Aloud
Interactive Read Aloud provides an opportunity for both
oral language and vocabulary development.
This newly released book is a cute story about family and tradition!
Fridays Are For Churros Bookshop Amazon
Los viernes comemos churros RELEASE DAY May 27 Bookshop Amazon
TELECUENTO BY SACRAMENTO LIBRARYj
Sacramento library offers Telecuento! Call 916-264-2987 or 888-241-7491 to listen to a story in Spanish. A new short story is offered each week. The stories are short and engaging. This is a great resource for teachers as well as parents.
Summer Programs
Keep kids reading during the summer! Many local libraries sponsor a summer reading incentive for students. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program in Spanish and English. Participants can earn a free book.
California Reading Difficulties Screener
In CA, all students in grades K-2 must be screened for reading difficulties annually starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Californians Together has written THIS ARTICLE to provide guidance on what screeners are best for Multilingual Learners. Even if you're not in CA, the article provides important information on identifying reading difficulties for Multilingual Learners.
Upcoming Conferences
For registration information. Click HERE
Directory of Dual Language Programs in the U.S.
Dual Language Schools.org counts 4894 Dual Language programs across the United States. There are more programs than are listed. Check the link above to see if your school is on the list.
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