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.
Place several bird feeders in a safe area outside a classroom window. Provide binoculars and encourage the children to watch the birds come and go. Provide paper and colored pencils so the children can maintain bird journals. Ask questions to spark curiosity such as, “How many birds do you think will come to eat?” or “Where do you think the birds go after they eat?”
