Heritage

ElementaryChinese Immersion

2014-2015

Giving your child the gift of a second language

Ni Hao

Why Chinese?Chinese is the world’s most widely spoken

first language. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0775272.html

Chinese is the third most commonly spoken language in the US. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0775272.html

China is heir to the traditions of the world’s most ancient and richest cultures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_culture

China is an increasingly important force in business, political and military affairs.

http://www.forbes.com/best-countries-for-business/list / http://elitedaily.com/news/world/top-10-military-powers-world /

为什么要学中文？

Why now?“The power to learn a language is so great

in the young child that it doesn’t seem to matter how many languages you throw their way.”

“Children just have this capacity. Their brains are ripe to learn languages.”

Dr. Susan Curtiss(Professor of Linguistics UCLA)

http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Susan-Curtiss/22035353

Children are ready

What is Language Immersion?

• Students learn academic content through a second language.

• Students learn second language by encountering and using the language in multiple meaningful contexts.

• Focus on building proficiency—being able to use the language—not on teaching grammar.

Learn by doing

Why immersion?• Cognitive development and language

development are interdependent.• Children naturally use language as a

tool for understanding and communicating meaning.

• Children perceive the school curriculum as important and of value.

How

children learn

Why immersion?• Academic content exposes children to

rich and varied vocabulary, language structures and functions

• Help students acquire language and content without using instructional time specifically to teach the immersion language

How

children learn

What are the goals of immersion?

• High levels of academic achievement across all subject areas

• Interpersonal and academic language proficiency in English and the immersion language

• Enhanced intercultural understanding for more effective participation in the global community

Goals

What are the benefits ?

• Academic/Educational• Enhances reading acquisition and communication skills

• Cognitive• Improves divergent thinking, pattern recognition and problem solving

• Economic and Political• Enhanced employment opportunities

• Socio-cultural• Ability to communicate with other ethnic and cultural groups

Academic

Chinese Immersion:will help

Heritage Elementary students prepare academically,

linguistically, and socially for challenges and opportunities

in our global community.

Benefits

WHAT WE TEACH

MATH SCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES

CHINESE LITERACY

MATH CURRICULUM: GRADES K-3

EVERYDAY COUNTS CALENDAR MATH

PEARSON enVision MATH, Grades K-3, Chinese Editions

MATH CURRICULUM: GRADES 4-5

PEARSON enVision MATH, Practice Sheets in Chinese

Chinese literacy:Better Chinese, grades K-1

Volume 1 Volume 2

Chinese literacy:Better Chinese, grades 2-3

Volume 3 Volume 4

Chinese language for primary schools: Singapore materials

TEXTBOOK ACTIVITY BOOK

Instructional Model for Kindergarten

Extended D

ay Ext ENG pm

Chpm

Reg K

pm

RegK

am

Cham

Ext ENGam

Kindergarten Schedule–Monday – ThursdayAM K Chinese Lunch

English• 8:50 - 11:30 11:30 - 12:05 12:05 -

1:25• PM K English Lunch

Chinese• 10:50 -12:05 12:05-12:40 12:40 -

3:25•  • Friday (No English and No Lunch on Friday)• AM K Chinese• 8:50 - 10:50• PM K Chinese• 11:15 - 1:15

This schedule is for the 2013-14 school year.

Extended D

ay

Instructional Model for

1st – 6th Grade• Instruction is divided between two high quality, creative classrooms: English Chinese

50/50

Engpm

Engam

Cham

Chpm

The Chinese teacher speaks only in Mandarin She communicates using a range of engaging

strategies including: pictures songs games body language expressions pantomime drama, etc.

Instructional Model

Strategies

Curriculum• Math• Science• Social Studies• Art• Music• PE activities• Chinese Language Arts

Chinese

Curriculum• English language arts

Reading

Writing

Spelling

Communication

English

Parents’ Role• Develop an understanding of immersion

education• Commit to long-term participation K-6 • Encourage use of Chinese outside school• Help your child attend school daily• Be on time for school• Must be willing to help in classrooms• Provide experiences outside of school to

develop English language skills• Parents will learn a few words, but your main

job is to support English.

Support

How do I know if my child is ready?

Is my child independent?

• Dresses self• Organizes materials, backpack• Takes care of self in restroom

Checklist

How do I know if my child is ready?

Does my child have good communication skills?

• Speaks in complete sentences• Pronounces all English sounds (with the possible

exception of ‘s’ and ‘r’)• Demonstrates the ability to appropriately ask questions• Demonstrates the ability to answer ‘wh’ questions

(who, what, where, when, why)• Demonstrates age appropriate vocabulary• Demonstrates the ability to ask for clarification

Checklist

How do I know if my child is ready?

Does my child demonstrate good behavior?• Pays attention• Shares with others• Problem solves• Demonstrates social maturity• Follows 1-2-3 step directions• Demonstrates the ability to share with others

their own age• Is able to attend school and arrive on time each

day

Checklist

Registration and Information

• Maximum of 56 placements for Kindergarten – two classes of 28 students each

• Students selected by lottery • Complete Chinese Immersion application and Parent

Commitment form returned to school by March 4, 2014

• 3rd C Track possibly option: won’t be able to do others• Applying now you are choosing to split children, if

applicable• Question/Answer list on website• Plan for any 1st grade openings

Policy

zhu nin hao yun