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.
Add a small bird feeder near the class window. Have the children help add bird seed. Draw the children's attention to birds at the feeder and talk about how birds need food just as people do. Then read Birds by Kevin Henkes. Encourage the children to spot birds at the bird feeder that are similar to the birds in the book.
