Fellow teachers, if you’re lucky enough to teach multilingual learners, you’re always on the lookout for great bilingual activities for students – ALL students. You hunt for fun, engaging beginning-of-the-year projects that are accessible to your English-speaking & Spanish-speaking students alike.
But first: did you get your guide?
My bilingual teaching context
I’ve had the privilege of working with bilingual students within Chicago Public Schools for the past 14 years. Teaching just about everything from Pre-K to 5th Grade English Arts, I have worked in many different bilingual models: transitional bilingual, pull-out ESL support, and sheltered instruction.
I am a firm believer in the innumerable benefits of not only bi/multilingualism (speaking), but bi/multi-literacy (full range of communication). I do my best to encourage students to read, write, and speak using all of their language skills. Please read more here!
It can be difficult, however, to find the same enriching, engaging projects in Spanish that are everywhere in English. So… I developed some of my own!
5 bilingual activities for students at the start of the year
Bilingual Activity #1: Community Coloring Banner
The idea is so simple! Amongst discussions of community & establishing classroom community expectations, your elementary students work on a collaborative coloring project. When their work is finished, your classroom has a beautiful new banner to celebrate a new year of learners!
Bilingual Activity #2: All about me banner
Another banner? You bet! These bilingual “All About Me” worksheets in pennant flag form will find your students getting to know one another in a fun way! Encourage conversation by allowing plenty of time for coloring and encouraging students to move around the room. You could even turn this activity into a scavenger hunt as your bilingual learners search for others who share similar interests!
Bilingual activity for students #3: This is How We Do It writing project
Follow the getting-to-know-each-other train a little further as you engage in a bilingual writing project. Based on the beautiful book by Matt Lamonthe entitled “This Is How We Do It,” this project prompts your bilingual writers to echo the pages of the book with their own versions. They’ll share everything from the name they like to be called to what they eat for dinner as they create their own books. Read more about it here!
Bilingual activities for students #5: Growth Mindset Materials!
As you continue to establish a positive culture in your bilingual class, teach your students about the power of a growth mindset. They’ll be empowered to put in effort even when things get tough: a lesson that will serve them (and you!) all year long.
