Trading Places: New Perspectives for Preservice Teachers

Abstract

Preservice teachers in an EC-6 literacy methods block created a specific experiential assignment. The assignment is called the Spanish Read Aloud. This experience is easy to organize and has benefits to both bilingual children (third grade and kindergarten) as well as preservice teachers. It promoted rich, deep discussions and focused on personal feelings. This assignment pushed the preservice teachers beyond learning theory and content and encouraged them to reflect on their dispositions, emotions, and attitudes.