Bilingual Lending Libraries

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Maura Bannon
School Site
Sierra Expeditionary Learning School
Grant Category
Literacy
Grant Date
2025-03-31T12:00:00
Description

We would like to purchase books to create lending libraries in classrooms. The books will be a mix of English, bilingual English/Spanish, and Spanish. This will allow the K/1 and ELD teacher to send books home with students in their book bags that their parents can read to them in their native language. We will also be sending materials home about the importance of reading as a family and suggestions for having conversations about the books. In 6th grade, we would like to purchase bilingual and books in Spanish for students to read so that they have the opportunity to read in their native languages, as well as bilingual and Spanish parenting books. 

Benefits of Program

Many of our students report that they do not have books at home. The hope is that this will foster the habit of family reading time and reading for pleasure. Research demonstrates that building literacy skills in one’s native language benefits and increases their literacy skills in both their first and second language. We have also had many requests from parents for books in their native language about parenting strategies, specifically for middle school students.

Success of Program

We have had success with a similar reading program with our ELD teacher. Students in ELD have done a lending library with bilingual books and books in Spanish. The students are always so excited to take the books home and read them with their families. Many older students in the beginning phases of learning English are also to develop their love of reading by reading in their native language. The hope with expanding the program to be in every classroom is that all students, English only, Multilingual, and English learners students, will have access to books and the opportunity to read at home. 

Implementation

This grant will be shared between our ELD teacher (to replace books), our K/1 teacher, and 6th grade teacher. The K/1 and 6th grade teacher will report back on how the programs went with their classes to see if we would like to adopt the program school-wide.

Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

The grant will be shared between three teachers, K/1, 6th, and ELD.

Sustainability
Students will need to return books in order to take new ones home. Parents will receive information about the program so that they can help ensure their children are bringing the books back to school. Over time, some books will most likely need to be replaced.
Amount Funded
$489.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$489 - Books from Scholastic & Parenting Books
Other funding sources

NA

File Uploads
Lending Library.pdf (327.84 KB)
Notes

I wasn't able to upload the quote for the parenting books in Spanish from Amazon. Their total is $28.75.

Scholastic books for student lending libraries are $420.11