This article presents qualitative findings from a larger design-based research doctoral study in which I examined the impact of a curricular innovation to challenge the monolingual and monocultural norms of literacy practices and to be responsive to the linguistic and cultural landscape of 21st century classrooms. I collaborated with 11 university preservice teachers and 28 English language learners (ELLs) in Grades 2 and 3 to design and implement a literacy intervention, called the Name Jar Project, focused on cultivating literacy engagement. I used constant comparison analysis to analyze data sources, which included field notes, student artifacts, and preservice teachers' reflections. This article documents the positive impact of the intervention in supporting the students' linguistic and cultural needs, affirming their identities, and bolstering their vocabulary development.