Dual Language Immersion Parent Night

1. Dual Language Immersion Parent Night Freedom Elementary 1st & 2nd Grade-2013-2014 Mr. Proffer~ Principal Mrs. Meyer & Mrs. Clark ~ English Teachers Sra. Loya-Baca & Sra. Huerta~ Spanish Teachers

2. Top 10 Answers for Parents about Immersion Education http:/www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/acie/vol10/may2007_parentsten.html CENTER FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH ON LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

3. What are the cognitive benefits of being bilingual? • Heightened awareness, receptivity & appreciation of language • Perform better on tasks requiring mental manipulation • Through exposure of cultural differences they may become more respectful of differences • Better understand the relationship between words & their (multiple) meanings

4. How does the brain benefit from being bilingual? “New studies are showing that a multilingual brain is • nimbler • quicker • better able to deal with ambiguities • resolve conflicts and resist Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia longer” • Read TIME magazine’s article for further information about the latest brain research on bilingualism. Kluger, Jeffrey. “How the Brain Benefits from Being Bilingual.” Time: Science and Space 18 July 2013 http://science.time.com/2013/07/18/how-the-brain-benefits-from-being-bilingual/.

5. How does immersion differ from other types of language instruction? Traditional programs Immersion programs Target language (Spanish) is used for instruction and as a means of communication. • Target language (Spanish) is the subject of instruction.

6. Do children need above average academic ability to succeed in immersion? Students with lower academic ability do as well in immersion as they might in English programs and have the additional benefit of bilingualism. ‘Below average students in immersion scored significantly higher on second-language tests than the below average students in the English program’ (Genesee, in press)

7. Will immersion education affect my child’s English-language skills? Myths Reality Languages are interdependent. Skills acquired in the 1st language transfer to the 2nd language. Research has demonstrated positive results in every study. Immersion students match & even surpass English students’ performances by the time they reach the upper grade levels (4th/5th grade) of elementary. • Children will be confused. • Learning a second language (Spanish) will hinder the first language (English).

8. How can I help my child if I don’t know the language? • Positive attitude, positive attitude and a positive attitude! • Provide encouragement • Be Enthusiastic • Supportive • Read to your child in English • Encourage English writing • Play English language games like Scrabble, crossword puzzles, word searches • BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION IN ENGLISH

9. Other ways to help your child if you don’t speak Spanish Provide opportunities to use the target language outside the classroom: • Borrow books, videos, & CD’s (language & music CD’s while traveling in the car) or buy books from Scholastic CLUB LEO • Watch second-language TV with your child (Sesame Street en Español or change “language” on movies on the main menu • Exposure to second-language events in the community like plays, sports activities, festivals • Play dates with Spanish speaking friends • Visit Spanish speaking places where your child can practice their skills in an authentic setting in town and/or when planning a vacation (market places, restaurants, overseas, etc.)

10. Curriculum (Subjects) ENGLISH SPANISH Math—90 minutes Science/Social Studies—20 minutes Literacy (Reading/Writing)-35 minutes • Math—25 minutes • Science/Social Studies—20 minutes • Literacy (Reading/Writing)—100minutes Note: Students in 1st grade may respond in English in the beginning, but will transition to responding in Spanish ONLY by January 15th, 2014. Student –to-student interactions in class are to be in Spanish only too after this date.

11. Class Schedule FULL DAY SCHEDULE

12. Homework English Spanish 1st Grade~ Sent home & due the same as in English Begins on Monday, October 7th Spelling tests every Friday beginning October 11th Homework packets include: spelling words, writing, math. SPA book bags beginning 2nd quarter • 1st Grade~ • Sent home every Monday • Due every Friday • Read 20 minutes a day either in ENG or SPA • Enter minutes read online on www.rtsutah.com

13. Parent-Teacher Conferences • PT conferences format: • 20 total minutes • 10 minutes-English teacher • 10 minutes-Spanish teacher • English teacher begins the conference, then Spanish teacher • Your child is present • Last 5 minutes of the conference, student steps out. • Parents & Spanish teachers are then able to speak in English to ask questions, get clarification, etc. • Due to the sheer amount of conferences we have to conduct, we ask parents to please try to be on time to your child’s conference. We understand if you can’t, we will reschedule is possible and we will also try our best to be on time.

14. Volunteer Opportunities • Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) • Freedom Front Desk Classroom volunteering • Spanish only when students are present • Fluency Parents • Parties • Classroom helpers • Field Trips • SPA book bags every Friday