The Public Schools of Brookline
Office of English Language Education welcomes you to your
Community U. Spring Speaker Series
7:00-8:00 PM
April 29, 2025
Introductions and Contact Information
Mindy Paulo, ELE Director�mindy_paulo@psbma.org
Betsy Davis, ELE Family and Community Engagement Coordinator�betsy_davis@psbma.org
Interpretation Services
Interpreters for this evening: Welcome!
Japanese: Uiko T. Russian: Sanobar P. Mandarin: Yuhuan S.
Japanese: Uiko T. Russian: Suzanna S. Mandarin: Yuhuan S.
2025 CommunityU Presentations
April 3rd - “Understanding Interpretation/Translation Services and Other Resources Available to Brookline’s International Families”
Speakers: Lloyd Gellineau and Ahmad Hamssa, Brookline’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations
April 29th - “Leveraging Home Languages and Supporting Literacy Development at Home with Multilingual Learners”
Speaker: Kelly Cooney, Founder and Lead Consultant of EdQuity
The Zoom link for this presentation is here
May 21st - “English Learners go to college: What, How, Why”
Speaker: Dr. Yasuko Kanno, Professor of Language Education and Chair of the Language and Literacy Education Department, Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development
The Zoom link for this presentation is here
June 11th - “Understanding your child’s ACCESS score report - What does this mean for your child?”
Speakers: Mindy Paulo, Director and Marisa Palumbo, ELE Enrollment and Assessment Specialist, Public Schools of Brookline Office of English Language Education
The Zoom link for this presentation is here
🌼🌸Questions? Please reach out to Betsy Davis at Betsy_davis@psbma.org 🌸🌼
Join us at
EMERSON PARK
Davis Avenue, Brookline
Please welcome tonight’s Guest Speaker:
Kelly Cooney
Founder of EdQuity
"Leveraging Home Languages and Supporting Literacy Development at Home with Multilingual Learners"
Please feel free to ask questions / ask for clarification during
the presentation by raising your hand or writing in the chat
Please leave your camera on, if possible
“Kelly Cooney is so insightful, knowledgeable, and fun to learn from. She takes real world experiences and draws from them to further share her knowledge of how to better serve multilingual students.”
The Gilmore Elementary School from Brockton, MA
At Home with Multilingual Learners: Leveraging Home Languages and Supporting Literacy Development
Public Schools, of Brookline
April 29, 2025
www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
About EdQuity
EdQuity helps educators working with culturally and linguistically diverse students transform systems to improve student outcomes. We specialize in supporting the implementation of high-quality instructional materials that center the assets and needs of multilingual learners and provide a wide variety of professional learning opportunities for teachers, leaders, and coaches.
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Kelly Cooney
Head Start Alumnus
Former SEI, ESL, French Teacher
Former EL Director
Adjunct Professor
www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
What We’ll Cover
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Reading at Home
Using Home Language to Support English Language Development
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EdQuity
Kelly Cooney
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Say Hello in the Chat!
Type your first name in the chat and add:
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www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
Multilingualism is a Super Power
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EdQuity
Multilingualism is a Super Power!
Enhanced Cognitive Abilities �Better problem-solving skills!�
Cultural Intelligence�Deeper understanding of diverse perspectives�
Expanded Communication�Connecting across language barriers�
Future Opportunities�Competitive advantage in global economy�
Stronger Identity�Connection to family heritage and multiple communities
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www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
Translanguaging
What is translanguaging?
Benefits of translanguaging:
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EdQuity
Translanguaging at Home
Create a language-rich environment
Follow your child's lead
Use authentic contexts
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Cross-Linguistic Transfer
Skills and knowledge acquired in one language can transfer to and strengthen another language.
Example
A child who understands story structure in Spanish can apply this knowledge when reading stories in English, even before mastering English vocabulary.
Metalinguistic Awareness
The ability to think about language as an object of attention and reflect on its features and structure
Example
Multilingual children often notice word patterns, can compare grammar rules between languages, and understand that words are arbitrary symbols.
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EdQuity
How Family Members Can Support
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Notice similarities and differences across languages.
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Key Differences:
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Use books where characters speak two languages
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Why Read Together in Your Home Language?
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www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
Reading in Your Home Language Helps Your Child at School!
Words Connect Across Languages
Strong Brain Skills Transfer
Reading Builds Reading
Language is Identity
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📚
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EdQuity
Text-based questions help your child think deeply about what they read.�They ask your child to go back to the book to find answers or examples.�
These questions build language and vocabulary.�Your child learns how to explain ideas using words from the story.�
They connect reading to your child’s life and culture.�Talking about stories helps your child make personal and cultural connections in any language.
Text Based Questions
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📖
💬
🌍
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? Why Ask Text-Based Questions
Text-based questions help your child:
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💬 Ask Your Child
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English and Japanese
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EdQuity
💬 Ask Your Child (continued)
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English and Portuguese
www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
Helping Your Child Grow as a Reader
Tips for Supporting Literacy at Home
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EdQuity
Use Your Home Language
What You Can Do
Read, talk, and tell stories with your child in the language you’re most comfortable with. Bilingual books or books with pictures are great!
Why It’s Important
Speaking and reading in your home language builds strong language and thinking skills—and helps your child feel proud of their identity.
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Tip
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Share Family Stories
What You Can Do
Tell your child stories from your life or your culture. Sing songs or talk about special family traditions.
Why It’s Important
This helps your child grow their vocabulary and understand who they are and where they come from.
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Tip
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Turn Everyday Activities �into Learning
What You Can Do
Involve your child in reading recipes, writing lists, or reading signs while out and about.
Why It’s Important
These everyday moments build reading and vocabulary skills in real-life ways.
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Tip
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Find Books in Your
Language
What You Can Do
Ask your school or library for books in your home language. Use free online libraries.
Why It’s Important
Your child will enjoy books that reflect their language and culture—and they’ll build a love of reading.
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Tip
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Show That Reading and Writing Matter
What You Can Do
Let your child see you reading or writing—like writing notes, texting, or keeping a journal.
Why It’s Important
Kids copy what they see. If they see you reading and writing, they’ll want to do it too!
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Tip
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Create a Home Full of Words
What You Can Do
Keep books, labels, calendars, or drawings where your child can see and use them.
Why It’s Important
Seeing print around the house helps your child learn how reading and writing work.
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Tip
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Stay in Touch with Your Child’s Teachers
What You Can Do
Share your ideas and ask how you can support your child’s reading at home. Join school events when you can.
Why It’s Important
Working together builds trust and helps your child succeed. Your voice matters!
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Tip
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Celebrate Progress!
What You Can Do
Take photos and videos of your child reading, use reading logs, or talk about books together. Celebrate all reading—no matter the language!
Why It’s Important
Your encouragement motivates your child to keep growing as a reader and thinker.
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Tip
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Thank You!
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Get in Touch
Kelly Cooney, EdQuity
kcooney@edquitymls.com
www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
Questions? Comments?
www.edquitymls.com
EdQuity
Thank you for coming
and thank you to Kelly Cooney!
2025 CommunityU Presentations
April 3rd - “Understanding Interpretation/Translation Services and Other Resources Available to Brookline’s International Families”
Speakers: Lloyd Gellineau and Ahmad Hamssa, Brookline’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations
April 29th - “Leveraging Home Languages and Supporting Literacy Development at Home with Multilingual Learners”
Speaker: Kelly Cooney, Founder and Lead Consultant of EdQuity
The Zoom link for this presentation is here
May 21st - “English Learners go to college: What, How, Why”
Speaker: Dr. Yasuko Kanno, Professor of Language Education and Chair of the Language and Literacy Education Department, Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development
The Zoom link for this presentation is here
June 11th - “Understanding your child’s ACCESS score report - What does this mean for your child?”
Speakers: Mindy Paulo, Director and Marisa Palumbo, ELE Enrollment and Assessment Specialist, Public Schools of Brookline Office of English Language Education
The Zoom link for this presentation is here
🌼🌸Questions? Please reach out to Betsy Davis at Betsy_davis@psbma.org 🌸🌼