Patterns of Wonder en español: Inviting Emergent Bilingual Writers to Play with the Conventions of Spanish, PreK-1

by Caroline Sweet, Whitney La Rocca, Jeff Anderson

Overview

It’s no secret that our youngest bilingual writers thrive in classrooms filled with conversation, inquiry, play, and wonder, but how can we invite them into the conventions of the Spanish language, engage them in authentic writing experiences, and lean into their natural curiosity around what writers do?

Building on the same playful qualities of the invitational process introduced in their best-selling Patterns of Power series, Caroline Sweet, Whitney La Rocca, and Jeff Anderson turn their instructional lens to our youngest writers in bilingual and dual-language classrooms, sharing new ways we can invite them to experiment, have fun, and take risks with writing and language. In this valuable resource, they:

·       introduce the Patterns of Wonder Phases of Emergent Writing in Spanish as a way to reflect on the work young writers are doing and plan for effective, scaffolded instruction;

·       outline an adjusted invitational process, adapted especially for bilingual learners;

·       position grammar and concepts about print instruction across three overlapping levels of support: oral language, illustrating, and writing; and

·       feature over 100 culturally and linguistically diverse picture book recommendations to stir curious classroom conversations.

Grounded in discovery, play, conversation, and most of all, wonder, Patterns of Wonder en español brings the authors’ excitement for inquiry and writing instruction to the ways we support our youngest bilingual writers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781625316035
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/27/2026
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Caroline Sweet and Jeff Anderson go way back. To 1991, in fact, when Caroline was a student in Mr. Anderson’s 4th grade class in Austin, Texas. While their initial collaborations included raps about clouds and science lessons on laser discs, their current collaborations focus on authentic grammar instruction in Spanish. Caroline’s career in education has focused on multilingual learners in bilingual and dual-language settings. She is most passionate about serving culturally and linguistically diverse populations and fostering reading and writing classrooms that encourage all students to share their stories.

Whitney La Rocca, with over twenty years in education, has been a teacher, a literacy coach, and a consultant, working with children and teachers across grade levels, schools, and districts. With a deep knowledge of content, standards, and best practices, Whitney enjoys delivering professional development and coaching teachers to support children as they develop their identities in the world of literacy. She continues to learn from children each day.

For over thirty-five years, Jeff Anderson has inspired writers and teachers with the power and joy of writing and grammar. He has written sixteen books for Stenhouse Publishers, including the ground-breaking Patterns of Power series. He lives near downtown San Antonio with his partner and their rescue pup.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Getting Started with the Patterns of Wonder Process  1. The Patterns of Wonder Phases of Emergent Writing  2. The Planning Behind the Patterns of Wonder Process  3. The Patterns of Wonder Process and Lessons in Action  Part 2: Into the Patterns of Wonder Lessons