Sound–Spelling Transfer Kits are now being used in schools across the US to accelerate the progress of emerging bilingual students in grades K–2 and to facilitate the work of their teachers. These unique resources were created with NABE Leadership Award–winner Silvia Dorta-Duque de Reyes, based on key principles of cross-linguistic transfer:
- Building on students’ knowledge of their original language
- Providing systematic instruction about both languages
- Showing students how to transfer their knowledge and skills
- Including practice and application with engaging resources
The teaching of language foundations, such as letters and the sounds they make, occurs in the students’ native language as well as the new language the students are learning, to ensure there is a detailed understanding of both languages. This is accomplished in part by the use of sound–spelling letter cards, which show familiar objects and the words that represent them, along with the letter of the alphabet that starts the word.
The cards are color-coded to show whether the words are in English or Spanish, and also whether or not the sounds can be transferred between languages. Other instructional resources include online articulation videos, which demonstrate how letters and words should be pronounced, and picture word cards, which show additional images and related words in English or Spanish, to improve conceptual understanding and vocabulary development.
Illustrated lap books in English and Spanish use enjoyable rhymes to support shared reading and engage students in applying what they are learning in both languages. There are also home connection activities that extend students’ learning and encourage family involvement. Detailed instructional support for educators includes teacher’s handbooks, which organize and support the implementation of lessons, and routines and strategies cards, which outline the instructional sequence used with key types of sounds and spellings.
The combination of all these resources into surprisingly affordable Sound–Spelling Transfer Kits makes them an effective way to teach foundational skills and vocabulary in English and Spanish while maximizing transfer, language acquisition, and biliteracy. For more information or to request a free sample, visit:
www.benchmarkeducation.com
