Language, Science & Cultural Explorations in Costa Rica

1. Language, Science & Cultural Explorations in Costa Rica Robert Cho, Boston Public Schools FFT Fellow - 2005

2. Needs • ~50% of my students are native Spanish speakers • All of these students speak English • ~ 1/3 of their parents do NOT speak English • I lacked a real-world connection to major portions of my district-prescribed science curriculum • Diversity of Life • Earth History

3. Goals

4. Outcomes • I attained a degree of functional fluency in conversational Spanish • my skills and confidence have continued to grow • I gained a deeper understanding of science topics directly connected to my curriculum • Diversity of Life • Earth History

7. Outcomes • First-hand experience of being a second language learner

8. Outcomes • Created a deeper personal connection with my students (language, culture, experiences)

9. Outcomes • Using my experience to create extensions beyond the district-prescribed curriculum • Readings about science & scientists • Jigsaw lessons on leaf-cutter ants

10. Outcomes • Validated and emphasized the importance of putting me into the classroom

12. Outcomes • The love of being a lifelong learner • Reinvigorated my passion for research • Modeling for my students and colleagues

13. Thank you!