Strategies for Helping our Children K5 and 1st grade Immersion With Sra. Delgado and Mme. Reach

What happens in the classroom? Children experience the lesson in the foreign language. Children acquire the essential elements of lesson. Children make connections between their first language and the language being learned. Use of TPR (Total Physical Response) and songs to help make connections.

What happens on the second lesson after previous? Children look at the information learned the day before in another way. Teacher emphasizes vocabulary and key words. Students interact and have the opportunity to ask questions and explore.

Studying at Home Whether children are in immersion or not, it is crucial to have a specific time and space to complete assignments. Take into consideration your child and your schedule after school before coming up with a study plan. Children need to know what is expected and a schedule they can expect and relate to. –Eating habits –Sleeping habits

What can I do for my child? Support what we are doing in the classroom. –Children need to know that they can trust the process. Ask your child what they did and have them explain it in English. –In addition, have them give you examples. For instance, “Mom, I learned about caterpillars and butterflies and what they eat”, child says. Mom responds, “Wow, I have no clue what they eat can you tell me more about that.” Emphasize on the Science and Math element more so than on the language element. If they can tell you about what they are learning, then they understood it in Spanish or French!

Why focus on Science and Math? The teacher teaches towards the Common Core Standards in Math and the South Carolina State Standards in Science in Spanish or French, therefore all we talk about is Science and Math. If you cannot speak Spanish or French, you are not at a disadvantage to help your child. Connect with your child through the math problems and science experiments we are doing.

Strategies for Homework Math/Science Homework –The worksheets sent home correlate with what we are doing in class. Allow your child to do it as much as possible on their own. –You might notice them working through the problems in Spanish or French.

Strategies for Home Math – Take a look at what we do in the classroom and for homework. Provide your child with similar examples as extra homework if you feel they need it. Manipulatives – Use the opportunity in real life to relate to mathematical problems. –Have beans, sticks, rocks, marbles, money, flash cards or anything of interest to your child to make up math problems. –Have your child be your teacher and come up with questions to ask you. –Have fun, math has infinite opportunities for learning right in your home.

Strategies for Home Science – It is best if the students experience Science. “Doing” allows them to better understand the concepts. –Take a nature walk to explore the seasons and weather. –Go on family field trips to local petting zoos/farms, museums, hiking, etc. The point is to explore! –Get your child talking about what we are doing in class – there are many things going on. –Study in English but ask your child to give you answers in Spanish or French. –Use the English Science book sent home (1 st grade) as a resource for studying.