Partner with families to learn about their language practices, stories, and literacy-related interactions at home, recognizing that children bring rich knowledge and skills from their first languages and cultural experiences. Dual language learners should have opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in the standard in both their first language and English, with supports such as first-language use, cross-language connections, gestures, visuals, and props. These opportunities allow young dual language learners to build on what they know and can do in their first language as they continue to develop communication, language, and literacy skills in all their languages.
Q is for Duck: An Alphabet Guessing Game by Mary Elting is a wacky alphabet book that gets children thinking and talking. It's perfect for small group reading and discussion. Each letter is a surprise and children are asked to guess why they are all mixed up. Hint: Q is for duck because... ducks quack! This activity could be done in small group.
