Birdville ISD Curriculum is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and the most current research in the area of literacy instruction.  The language arts curriculum is delivered through a balanced literacy approach, which includes reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension) as a partner of writing instruction (encoding).

The teaching of literacy includes a balance of reading, writing, thinking, and discussing activities and is a social endeavor that provides a variety of instructional strategies to meet the needs of all diverse learners. Birdville ISD utilizes a workshop model that is taught in the context of authentic literature and includes a blend of whole group, small group and individual instruction. In addition, teachers scaffold students’ learning experiences to ensure students are in a zone of proximal development. It is a model that teaches students to become independent readers and writers.

Birdville's Mathematics curriculum is designed to engage and encourage students in meaningful work, such as real life investigations, to succeed in a future they create. 

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills is the foundation for the Birdville ISD math curriculum.

> Mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
 

In BISD, we believe scientific literacy is an important part of  the future each student creates. Through engaging instruction and collaboration with teachers and peers, each student is uniquely capable of exploring and understanding the natural world around them. We believe that

• Students learn science best by constructing their knowledge and understandings through inquiry learning;
• Real world connections solidify the understanding of science;
• Collaborative student interaction is a critical component of science instruction;
• Discourse and reflection are valuable components of science
• Ongoing data-gathering and assessment, both by teachers and students, guide daily instruction

To engage and encourage our students every day, we as BISD science teachers will . . .

• Engage our students in inquiry learning;
• Collaborate in both horizontal and vertical teams of teachers;
• Formatively assess student learning and adjust instruction accordingly

Social Studies instruction is an integral part of the educational experience of each student at BISD. Elementary social studies education plays the role of instructional glue for interdisciplinary instruction—interweaving social studies content with reading and writing skills. Elementary social studies instruction focuses on the inquiry process to help students later assume the role of the social scientist in their secondary education: interpreting historical documents, looking for geographic and economic patterns, and analyzing political decision making. By embedding best practice instruction and standards-based content into each lesson design, social studies teachers in BISD are making great strides toward meeting the needs of all learners. 

We are excited about social studies instruction in BISD. If you have any questions in regard to curriculum, instructional resources, or district direction in social studies, please contact our curriculum and instruction consultants.

Multilingual Programs

Multilingual programs are committed to promoting academic excellence, equity, and access for emergent bilingual (EB) learners in Birdville ISD. The programs included are: 

• One-Way Dual Language (elementary)
• English as a Second Language Program (elementary and secondary)
• Campus-Based International Newcomer Student (secondary)

Within these programs, we ensure that every child’s native language, culture, background, and interests are respected and utilized in the learning process. Additionally, best practices for emergent bilinguals (EBs) are implemented to accelerate the academic progress in all content areas. This will build and develop communication skills and cognitive academic language naturally.

We serve more than 5,200 EBs in grades PK - 12. Emergent bilinguals in Birdville ISD speak over 40 different languages, with Spanish and Vietnamese being the most commonly represented. We embrace our diverse population and strive to provide high quality, differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all emergent bilinguals (EBs).

 

Elementary

Elementary campuses in Birdville ISD provide an ESL Content-Based program for Emergent Bilingual students whose parents have approved ESL services. The program includes targeted English language development in all content areas (English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies). English language development is provided by teachers certified in ESL instruction and trained in sheltered instruction methods. Teachers are trained in effective second language acquisition methods to adapt instruction, pacing and materials based on a student's English language proficiency.

Secondary

All secondary campuses in Birdville ISD provide an ESL Pull-Out program for Emergent Bilingual students whose parents have approved ESL services. The ESL Pull-Out program provides targeted English language development through the content of English Language Arts and Reading. Teachers of Emergent Bilingual students who provide English Language Arts and Reading are certified in ESL instruction and trained in effective second language acquisition methods. Additionally, all other content teachers (Math, Science and Social Studies) are encouraged to participate in training involving sheltered instruction methods to help support the language development of Emergent Bilingual students.

The Birdville ISD International Newcomer Student Program is an accelerated program for recently arrived international students at the middle and high school levels, who have limited or no English proficiency and who may have had limited formal education in their native countries. The program has been established to bridge the gap between recently arrived international students' needs and English language support programs. To qualify for the International Newcomer Student Program, a student must be a recent immigrant to the United States (within the last 2 years) and have very limited English proficiency as determined by a language assessment administered upon registration.

The goal of the International Newcomer Student Program is to offer an English language immersion program with emphasis on helping students adjust to the American public school system, maintain academic progress, and accelerate their English language development and literacy skills while participating in content-area classes for Math, Science and Social Studies that provide sheltered instruction. 

Program Mission

The mission of the Birdville ISD Dual Language Immersion Program (DLIP) is to ensure that all students become empowered learners equipped with sociocultural competence and academic biliteracy in order to excel and become competitive citizens in a global society.

Biliteracy Model

To empower our students to become biliterate, excel academically, and develop cross-cultural competence, we follow an 80/20 model, delivering instruction in both English and Spanish.

Our approach to instruction is designed to support our participants in their journey towards bilingualism and biliteracy. We focus on fostering their academic and social language development through engaging lessons. By making cross-linguistic connections, we help students see the similarities and connections between English and Spanish. Additionally, we encourage them to use one language as a valuable resource for learning the other.

To gauge their progress effectively, our participants are assessed in both languages. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that we capture their growth and proficiency in both English and Spanish. By embracing this inclusive and dynamic approach, we inspire our students to reach their full potential as bilingual and biliterate individuals.

• One-Way Dual Language Schools
• Academy Carrie Frances Thomas (ACFT)
• Binion Elementary
• Birdville Elementary  
• Cheney-Hills Elementary
• David E. Smith Elementary
• O.H. Stowe Elementary
• Watauga Elementary
• West Birdville Elementary

Benefits of Bilingualism

Fostering bilingualism in children promotes intellectual, social, and cultural development, enriching their lives now and in the future. Being bilingual:

• Boosts cognitive skills like problem-solving and creativity.
• Encourages cultural understanding, helping kids connect with diverse communities.
• Improves academic performance, enhancing literacy and preparing them for learning more languages later on.
• Opens doors to global career opportunities.

Essential Instructional Strategies in the Dual Language Classroom

Learning multiple languages is valuable for individuals, families, and society as a whole. In Birdville ISD, teachers use a range of strategies to nurture proficiency in both the student's home language, Spanish, and English.

The mission of the Family Engagement Program is to engage parents as partners to continually improve the academic performance and social well-being of students. 

Our goal is to build capacity across all campuses in Birdville ISD and provide direct support and services to families in our community.

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La misión del Programa de Participación Familiar es involucrar a los padres como aliados para mejorar continuamente el rendimiento académico y el bienestar social de los estudiantes.

Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar capacidades en todas las escuelas de Birdville ISD y brindar apoyo y servicios directos a las familias de nuestra comunidad.

TEA Parents and Families Newsletter / Boletín informativo para padres y familias de TEA

There are many opportunities for adults to participate in English as a second language (ESL) Classes. The information below is regarding the classes available during the 2024-2025 school year. For more information, call 817-547-5500 ext. 03844 or 03968.

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Hay muchas oportunidades para que los adultos participen en las clases de Inglés como segundo lenguaje (ESL). La siguiente información se refiere a las clases disponibles durante el año escolar 2024-2025. Para obtener más información, llame al 817-547-5500 ext. 03844 o 03968.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes - Locations

Location / Lugar	Day / Día	Time / Horario
Haltom Road Baptist Church 3313 Haltom Rd. Haltom City, TX 76117 >Download Location Flyer	Monday and Wednesday	8:30- 10 A.M.
West Birdville Elementary 3001 Layton Ave. Haltom City, TX 76117 >Download West Birdville Location Flyer	Thursday	8:30-10 A.M.
Academy at CF Thomas (ACFT) 8200 O'Brian Way N. Richland Hills, TX 76180 >Download Thomas ES Location Flyer	Tuesday and Friday	8:30-10 A.M.

 

The purpose of Title III, Part-A is to ensure that children who are limited English proficient and/or immigrants attain English proficiency so that they can develop high levels of academic attainment in English, and meet the same challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards as all children are expected to meet. Also, the purpose of Title III, Part-A is to develop high-quality language instruction educational programs that are designed to assist the school district in teaching limited English proficient and immigrant children so that they are prepared to enter an all-English instructional setting.