Author: Natalya

Scaffolding is a way of assisting students by breaking learning down into manageable chunks as they progress toward greater understanding and independence.  Research shows that without scaffolding, ELLs and DLLs often struggle needlessly to access grade-level content and are less able to perform well academically.  If you are conducting instruction using your native language, you…

People often ask me about the teaching methodology developed at Little Sponges® and why we focus heavily on vocabulary acquisition and oral communication.  So, I decided to write about the research and the rationale for our approach to bilingual learning.    When most people think about literacy, they immediately picture children reading and writing.  But…

Little Sponges is dedicated to the enrichment of young minds through bilingual education. Being bilingual is not only a great gift, it is often a necessity to be able to thrive in today’s global community. For many young children, their entire world revolves around their school, home, and community. According to the Southwest Educational Development…

The autumn season is now in full swing! Show your students how wonderful the “season of change” can be with these fun activities, all while strengthening their bilingual language skills. Create a Cornucopia Picture With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, this crafty lesson can help your students be well prepared for the holiday…

Did you know that there are approximately five million English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States? That equals to about 1 in every 10 public school students. Due to their unique learning needs, ELLs are at risk for lower high school graduation rates, despite being just as (or more) academically capable. According to the…

It is no secret that dual-language programs are cropping up in schools more than ever. After all, where there is a need, there is a solution. According to an NEA Policy Brief, by 2025 nearly 25% of students in public schools will be dual language learners (DLLs), the fastest-growing student population group. This applies to…