The purpose of this research project was to determine if the use of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model would impact native Spanish speaking first grade student's Spanish vocabulary. To accomplish this purpose, a review of selected literature was accomplished. Additionally, essential data was obtained and analyzed from which related generalizations, conclusions, and recommendations were formed. Forty-one native Spanish speaking students in a bilingual Spanish classroom attending the Marlow School District participated in this study. These students were both male and female children between the ages of six and seven years old. In the treatment group the teacher instructed twenty students reading using methods from Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol. In the control group the teacher instructed twenty-one students by following Hardcort Trofeos Spanish reading basil. All students were given a pre and post test using the Test de Vocabulario en Imagenes Peabody (TVIP). The fundamental research question on which the study focused was answered positively; indicating that student's in the treatment group Spanish vocabulary was positively impacted by the use of the SIOP model. 

Committee Chair: Dr. Craig A. Hughes.