HOW IT ALL BEGAN: Prompted by a chance remark in Spanish by a kindergartner in Ms. Leisy's ESL class years ago: "My teacher says 'manzana' starts with an 'A.'" This kindergartner already knew his letter sounds, but he was reading the English ABC charts in his home language. The solution to mixed languages, COGNATES, is the backbone of PHONICS FOR LATINOS - ABCs IN COMMON.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Hunter College, NYC: BA in Sociology/Psychology 1948
• Columbia University, NYC: MA Sociology 1950
• UCLA, Education 1965
• Taught primary grades at LA Unified School district from 1956-1980
• Published October 2019 issue of Language Magazine, "A is for AIRPLANE/avión"

ABC charts are the most important source for learning the ABCs. Cognate charts reduce the time for kindergarteners from Spanish-speaking homes to learn their ABCs.