Newton Rayzor's DL Teachers Embrace the Bridge

by: Jesús López De Nava

Elementary Bilingual Coach

   One of our main focuses as a department throughout this year has been the explicit teaching of the Bridge as "a tool for developing metalinguistic awareness: the understanding of how language works, and how it changes and adapts in different circumstances" (Beeman & Urow. Teaching for Biliteracy. 2013). 

   The importance for students developing metalinguistic awareness relies on what research tells us about language learners:

   "Two-language learners who understand how their languages are similar and different achieve higher levels of academic achievement. Though some two-language learners make connections between their languages on their own, many need explicit instruction in the transfer of language and concepts (this instruction comes during the bridge). Students who experience the Bridge as part of biliteracy development will begin bridging on their own and will continue to do so as they learn more about how their languages are similar and different." (Beeman & Urow. Teaching for Biliteracy. 2013). 

   This is the reason why we have offered four professional development trainings since the beginning of the school year with great success. We have made sure teachers not only learn the ins and outs of the Bridge, but they get time to plan a bridge lesson and present it to their peers as a practice run. 

 

   In this article I'd like to showcase two amazing dual language educators from Newton Rayzor Elementary who have embraced and successfully implemented the Bridge in their kindergarten classes: Ms. Alfaro and Ms. Beltrán.

   Here is the link to their amazing bridge lesson: NRE Kinder Bridge Lesson.

   If you are interested in implementing the bridge in your own classroom, but maybe are not sure how to start and/or need someone to guide you through the steps, please let us know! We have successfully made visits to teachers during their planning period and helped them get started. One thing I can assure you is that your students will love these lessons from the start and you will feel very confident after your first one. So, what are you waiting for? :)