Digital Commons@NLU

Libros en voz alta/ Books Aloud

This presentation describes a classroom-based homework project involving students of Mexican-origin, in a bilingual first grade classroom and a modification of the project by a reading specialist involving second language learners in Title I programs. Students were given backpacks to take home bi-weekly on a rotating basis filled with a tape recorder, their “Family Journal,” a picture book in Spanish (later in English), and a recording of the text. After listening to a book on tape (or CD) and to oral and written prompts, students and family members wrote or drew responses in their Family Journals. During home visits and conferences earlier in the year several parents had expressed concern about reading with their children due to their own limited experiences with formal education. Subsequently, they expressed positive feedback about Libros en voz alta, so that this project served as a bridge for parents to experience literature with their children and to share life experiences in a non-threatening environment.