LANGUAGE PHILOSOPHY Language is a social act and is the foundation for all learning. is a caring educational community in which students are empowered to construct meaning, inquire about their world and share their understandings with others. This learning should be interdisciplinary, authentic, inquiry based, and promote critical and creative thinking through a variety of teaching tools and strategies. Learners listen, speak, read, write, view and present their way to new understanding and life-long learning. CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION Learning language is a natural and developmental process that begins at birth. Students acquire language by being immersed in it through choice, authentic experiences, and reflection about what they have learned. We meet students where they are and foster confidence, growth, and a love of language. Our goal for effective language instruction and learning is to: Provide a balance between written and oral expression Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students Balance structured learning environments with opportunities for risk-taking and reflection Engage children in active participation through authentic texts and experiential learning Connect to interdisciplinary themes and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Guiding Questions Employ current education research and classroom technology to appropriately use language and communication in all disciplines with best practices Employ a wide variety of texts, media and genres BEST PRACTICES IN LANGUAGE LEARNING We provide real-world experiences, choice, and interaction through a comprehensive literacy program that includes: Modeled reading and writing that enhances children s access to language learning through think-alouds, mini lessons, and discussion Shared reading and writing that extends understanding and models strategies through teacher/student and student/student interaction with language Mission: The community will prepare students to be globally competitive leaders and responsible citizens in the 21st century.
Guided reading and writing that engages children in questioning and discussion while reinforcing skills and practicing strategies Independent reading and writing that allows for children s choice, engagement, and practice at his/her independent level Authentic integration of word study and grammar in oral and written expression Interdisciplinary language experiences Central access to media resources and technology CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT Children learn best in a supportive and caring environment where their learning achievements are affirmed and celebrated. As educators, we foster children s natural curiosity and encourage them to become life-long language learners by providing: A language-rich environment that includes a wide variety of language learning materials, resources, and technology to support a child s development Organized classroom libraries easily accessible to students Evidence of student inquiry, thinking, and learning displayed throughout the room Interactive tools and resources that are purposeful and engaging Literature that represents diverse cultural backgrounds SECOND LANGUAGE It is necessary that a child in the 21 st century be exposed to a second language. This introduces children to different cultural perspectives and expands their understanding of the world and the interconnectedness and relationship between peoples. The IB attitudes (commitment, curiosity, independence, empathy, confidence, creativity, cooperation, integrity, appreciation, tolerance, respect, and enthusiasm) encourage cross-cultural communication and understanding and guide students in becoming an internationally minded person. We foster these attitudes by: Providing Spanish and Chinese language instruction employing current research and best practices in language learning Connecting Language Acquisition instruction to interdisciplinary themes Mission: The community will prepare students to be globally competitive leaders and responsible citizens in the 21st century.
Including Language Acquisition vocabulary outside the Language Acquisition classroom Employing second-language texts, media, and tools Exposing children to a variety of cultures through many mediums including literature, artwork, music, and realia (real objects that represent a culture and its beliefs and values) from other countries Employing technology to provide a hands-on context for learning and connecting the culture to the classroom Implementing a variety of assessment methods including projects and skits which allow students to create and creatively use language MOTHER TONGUE We support the development of a child s mother tongue. This is essential for their cognitive development and personal identity. Effective language learning is developed through social acts where children are engaged with the world through relationships. We support these relationships and language learning by: Translating newsletters and other communications Allowing for an interpreter at conferences or other events Working closely with cultural liaisons to make connections to home Providing a rich literature-based environment Providing opportunities to honor new vocabulary and experiences Utilizing and celebrating personal identities within the school community Providing connections between the mother tongue and Language B ASSESSMENT Language assessment is developmental in nature. Assessment should be ongoing, show evidence of growth, drive future instruction, and be shared and celebrated with parents, future teachers, administrators and students themselves. The evidence used when assessing language may include: Student exhibition work Conferencing Mission: The community will prepare students to be globally competitive leaders and responsible citizens in the 21st century.
Response journals and student self-reflection Performance/project assessments Teacher observation and anecdotal records Checklists and rubrics End of Quarter Benchmark Assessments (locally mandated) End of Grade Assessments (state-mandated) Presentations PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT We actively and continuously seek out professional development opportunities in language learning. We are committed to maximizing the academic success of each student, providing innovative language instruction based on educational best practices. Areas of continuous improvement may include: A consistent and integrated comprehensive literacy program aligned with best practices Collaboration, discussion and reflection across and within grade levels Implementing technology to enhance language learning Observing teachers across and within grade-levels PARENT INCLUSION Language skills are acquired through past experiences and prior knowledge. Children first experience language at home. Parents empower and give children the foundation for future language learning. Parents should continue to be actively involved with their children s language experiences at school. These natural and meaningful experiences may include: Publications Quarterly newsletters (in print and online) Classroom and school websites Reading Logs Mission: The community will prepare students to be globally competitive leaders and responsible citizens in the 21st century.
Employing volunteers COMMUNICATING TO STAKEHOLDERS We are committed to sharing our language growth with the greater school community by: Inviting members of the community into our school Updating school and/or classroom websites Celebrating our language learning through presentations Publishing and reviewing mandated standardized test scores Mission: The community will prepare students to be globally competitive leaders and responsible citizens in the 21st century.