The purpose of this learning experience is to enhance kindergarten students' literacy skills through an interactive English to Spanish translation tool. This project seeks to deepen students' vocabulary knowledge and comprehension by incorporating tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary commonly used in literacy interventions. By actively participating in translating exercises, students engage in effective communication, self-directed learning, and content expertise, fostering a meaningful connection between English and Spanish literacy development. The experience aims to build foundational language skills while encouraging peer collaboration and reflection on their language learning journey.

The learning goals for this project focus on enhancing kindergarten students' literacy skills by using a translation tool to expand their vocabulary through interactive activities. Students will practice effective communication by engaging in conversations with peers and teachers, using their newly acquired words and phrases in both English and Spanish. Self-directed learning is emphasized as students receive and apply feedback to refine their language skills, while also reflecting on their progress. Content expertise is developed as students learn to identify, understand, and use key literacy terms, both independently and within diverse contexts, fostering a deeper connection to language acquisition.

Throughout the learning experience, students will individually develop a personalized English-to-Spanish translation tool specifically tailored for kindergarten literacy intervention. This tool will include key words, phrases, and visuals used in tier 2 and tier 3 literacy support. As a culminating product, students will present their translation tools to teachers and parents/guardians, demonstrating how the tool enhances literacy learning and supports language acquisition in kindergarten classrooms.

To launch the project, the kindergarten class will engage in an interactive storytelling session featuring a bilingual tale in English and Spanish. Using puppets and visual aids, students will explore key vocabulary and phrases from the story. This sets the stage for understanding cultural connections and ignites curiosity about language differences. Students will participate in simple activities such as identifying and matching objects with the corresponding English and Spanish names, fostering initial vocabulary building in both languages.

Students will present the English to Spanish translation tool they developed to teachers and parents/guardians by showcasing its use in a hands-on demo, highlighting its effective integration in literacy interventions. During the exhibition, students will explain the essential words and phrases chosen for the tool, demonstrating their understanding and application in real-world literacy scenarios. This will also involve sharing assessment outcomes to illustrate the tool's impact on literacy gains, fostering a collaborative dialogue with educators and caregivers for additional insights and feedback.