English Language Learners / Dual Language Learners / Multicultural Education Support – Language Lizard Blog

LANGUAGE & LITERACY BLOG

At Home, Classroom, Multicultural,

4 MUSICAL MULTICULTURAL KID CRAFTS

Music is an wonderful way to introduce kids to different cultures. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” It can evoke emotions that are at the heart of the shared human experience. Here, we offer four musical multicultural kid crafts that celebrate diversity and remind us of what we all have in common. Try them with your little ones at home or school! Panpipe (Zampoña) Panpipes (aka panflutes) are one of the earliest known musical instruments in the Americas. ............. CONTINUE READING
Classroom, Schools, Teaching Resources,

PREPARING YOUR CLASSROOM FOR BILINGUAL STUDENTS

It may be hard to believe, but summer is coming to an end. Beach days and family barbecues will soon be behind us. You find your mind is full of lesson plans and an incoming class of new faces. As you’re organizing shelves and deciding on the optimal classroom layout, remember to consider the needs of your bilingual students. Now is the perfect time to create a welcoming classroom that reflects acceptance and diversity right from the start. Create an............. CONTINUE READING
At Home, Families, Holidays,

BILINGUAL SUMMER READING LIST

Whether your summer is action-packed or laid back, there are stretches of time that are perfect for getting in some bilingual reading. But what books are perfect for the long ride to grandma’s, or the quiet afternoon by the lake? We’ve brought together some of our favorite summertime reads that are sure to appeal to kids of all ages and interests. Bonus: They’ll be improving their bilingual skills. Our titles are available in English with your choice of over 50 languages! Books About............. CONTINUE READING
At Home, Families, Holidays,

MULTICULTURAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER

With summer here, many parents find themselves asking the same question: What should I do with the kids until school starts up again? There’s no reason you can’t make language and cultural learning part of your summer break routine! Games These 5 multicultural games from around the world are a simple way to get moving and playing together! Try a rousing game of 1, 2, 3 Dragon, or a few rounds of Palm Ball. It’s a great way to stay active............. CONTINUE READING
At Home, Families, Multicultural,

5 MULTICULTURAL GAMES FOR KIDS TO TRY THIS SUMMER

If you’re looking for something fun to do this summer, give these multicultural games from around the world a try! From games that you can play in a group, to one-on-one games, they are perfect for all ages. Get your kids or campers outdoors to play a fun round of Catching Stars or a competitive game of Hoops! It’s a great way to stay active this summer while learning about different cultures. STALKER (Botswana) In this enjoyable group game, two players are chosen............. CONTINUE READING
Language Lizard Announcements,

NEW BILINGUAL CHILDREN’S BOOKS AVAILABLE!

Language Lizard is excited to announce that we’ve added two new bilingual books to our offerings: Pinocchio and the Real Boys We are thrilled to announce the addition of Pinocchio and the Real Boys, a title made even more special because it’s available in a new language – Kurmanji Kurdish! Pinocchio and the Real Boys is a bilingual story that re-tells the classic tale of Pinocchio, a puppet who wants to be a real boy. After............. CONTINUE READING
Language Spotlight,

KURMANJI LANGUAGE & KURMANJI BOOKS: FACTS, FIGURES & RESOURCES

Today’s spotlight language is Kurmanji. We’ve gathered some background info and interesting facts about the language. We also have information on our newest Kurmanji children’s book. Where is Kurmanji spoken? Kurmanji is a major dialect of the Kurdish language. It’s spoken in Kurdistan, Syria, Turkey, Iran and Iraq. There are approximately 15 million speakers worldwide. How Many Kurdish Speakers in the US? According to the most recent US Census data, there are about 17,000 Kurdish speakers in the US. Some of the largest Kurdish populations............. CONTINUE READING
Dual Language, Schools,

THE “SEAL OF BILITERACY” IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Across the country, more schools are embracing fluency in multiple languages by offering a special award called the “Seal of Biliteracy” that can be earned by bilingual students. Earning the Seal of Biliteracy The first program began in California in 2010 to showcase biliteracy as an asset. The Seal of Biliteracy helps to elevate language programs in our schools, and gives students a new goal to work toward. More than two dozen states now offer a state- or district-wide Seal of Biliteracy award............. CONTINUE READING
At Home, Holidays, Libraries, Schools,

DIVERSE GIFTS FOR TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK & TO CELEBRATE BILINGUAL STUDENTS

Spring is a great time to celebrate the outstanding educators and language learners in your life! Teacher Appreciation Week & More! Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11. It’s the perfect opportunity to say “thank you” to the teachers and school staff that work tirelessly to make a difference in our children’s lives. .......... CONTINUE READING
At Home, ELLs / DLLs, Families,

HOME LANGUAGE MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES

In previous posts, we’ve discussed the benefits of home language maintenance. However, many parents struggle to maintain the home language (HL) for a variety of reasons. Here, we offer some concrete suggestions that parents can use with elementary-aged children, to ensure they receive the cognitive, cultural and professional benefits of bilingualism. Teachers can share the following strategies with parents and even provide assignments that will support HL maintenance. Educators can also build bilingual book libraries............. CONTINUE READING
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