There are more than 20,000 Spanish–English cognates—words that are similar in spelling and meaning in both languages. Because many of these cognates are essential for comprehending school texts, systematic cognate instruction can help young bilingual learners master the vocabulary words and literacy skills they need for academic success.
This is the first comprehensive, practical guidebook on seamlessly working cognate instruction into existing lesson plans using high-quality picture books. Developed by respected researchers with first-hand classroom experience, this book is a great resource for bilingual educators and specialists as well as monolingual English-speaking teachers who want to support their bilingual learners. Elementary school educators (K-6) will discover how to
introduce students to cognates
conduct engaging picture book read-alouds to incorporate cognates into vocabulary lessons
use effective methods and activities for teaching cognate prefixes, suffixes, root words, and spelling patterns
design customized cognate lesson plans using the included template and step-by-step guide
plan successful content-area thematic units that include cognate words and activities
To help teachers quickly integrate cognate instruction into their curriculum, they’ll also get access to the Cognate Companion website, a database organized around more than three thousand award-winning picture books in Spanish, English, or both. Teachers can search the website by title, author, and reading level to find appropriate picture books and all their cognates. The website also includes 250+ quick, ready-to-use cognate lesson plans for select picture books—easy add-ons any teacher can start using tomorrow.
About the Cognate Companion Website About the Authors Preface For The Reader Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: The Power of Cognates for Bilingual Learners
Objectives
Cognate Play
What are Spanish-English Cognates?
The Importance of Teaching Cognates
All Teachers Can Incorporate Cognates in their Lessons
Summary
Reflection and Action
Chapter: 2 Introducing Students to Cognates
Objectives
Cognate Play
The Importance of Teaching Cognates as a Language Category
Strategies for teaching and assessing cognates
Using Cognates as Context Clues
Summary
Reflection and Action
Chapter 3: Using Picture Book Read-Alouds to Teach Cognates
Objectives
Cognate Play
Engaging Bilingual Learners with Cognates in Picture Books
Sequencing Cognate Activities for Read-Alouds
Summary
Reflection and Action
Chapter 4: Teaching Cognate Prefixes and Root Words
Objectives
Cognate Play
Prefixes, Root Words, and the Generative Nature of Language
Teaching Bilingual Learners about Prefixes
Focusing on Root Words
Reinforcing the Learning of Prefixes and Root Words
Summary
Reflection and Action
Chapter 5: Teaching Cognate Suffixes
Objectives
Cognate Play
Suffixes and the Generative Nature of Language
Teaching Cognate Suffix Conversion Rules in English and Spanish
Reinforcing the Learning of Cognate Suffix Rules
Summary
Reflection and Action
Chapter 6: Cognate Spelling Rules
Objectives
Cognate Play
Spanish and English Spelling Rules
Teaching Cognate Spelling Rules
Reinforcing the Learning of Cognate Spelling Rules
Summary
Reflection and Action
Chapter 7: Planning Cognate Lessons Using Picture Books
Objectives
Cognate Play
Choosing Picture Books and Cognates for a Read-Aloud
Designing a Lesson with the Cognate Lesson Plan Template
Summary
Reflection and Action
Chapter 8: Designing Content-Area Thematic Units
Objectives
Cognate Play
Designing a Content-Area Thematic Unit
Summary
Reflection and Action
Chapter 9: Designing an Introductory Cognate Unit of Instruction
Objectives
Cognate Play
Creating a Thematic Unity on Spanish-English Cognates
Summary
Reflection and Action
