Gone are the days of an email with a word document attached for staff newsletters and updates! Many of the principals in #PLSAS are utilizing a new platform to share their news and announcements called SMORE. It allows for videos and pictures to easily be embedded, as well as simply a lot more visually appealing. I am excited to try something new!
0 Comments
The Language Acquisition Process is Alive & Well at La ola del lagoWhat a great week we have had at La ola del lago! I know I repeat myself of-ten, but I wish every one of you could be in the classrooms each day to see the incredible learning your children are experiencing each day. I have spent my entire educational career in language immersion education, and the second language acquisition process never ceases to amaze me. As parents, you are well aware that each child learns best in unique ways and at different rates of speed. The same premise is true of how students learn to read. Students at young ages begin to decode these things called “letras”. These letras make certain sounds, and when two of them are com-bined, they make these things called “sílibas”. Las sílibas are then able to be put together to form “palabras.” Las palabras all of a sudden have a meaning, as they represent our favorite objects, food, colors, animals, etc. Our stu-dents enjoy learning these vocabulary words that mean so much to them, and they wish to add other phrases around them, such as high frequency words, “Me gusta”, “Yo quiero”, etc. Of course there are phrases that young language learners need in order to survive the school day that are memorized: “Puedo ir al baño?.” “Voy a com-er almuerzo caliente”, etc. Then they begin to string together common words, verbs, and feelings into phrases, sentences, and eventually, into com-plete thoughts. One thing I always like to remind parents is that listening comprehension in second language acquisition comes many months, sometimes years, ahead of speaking, writing, and reading. And again, each child progresses at different rates, through the incredibly complex process of learning how to read, write, and speak in a second language. I lay this detailed narrative out for you as a challenge to think and reflect where your child is at on the continuum of second language acquisition. They are truly on a journey to becoming multilingual citizens and global leaders in our multicultural word. What an honor and opportunity! I was encouraged last night as I attended Prior Lake - Savage Area Schools’ Kindergarten Informational session for the 2016-17 school year. Remember that was many of you one year ago? An overarching theme I heard was what great comments they have heard from other parents (YOU!) about their child’s positive edu-cational experience here at La ola del lago. It will be quite fun as we add another Kindergarten class next school year, hire more teachers, and continue to thrive and grow as the language immer-sion school of choice here in Minnesota. If you have not yet liked our Facebook page or joined Twitter, I would highly encourage you to. We share many pictures, videos, and information through these two medians of social media. Our La ola del lago hashtag is #LODL, my Twitter handle is @RKucinski, and our Facebook Page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/EdgewoodPLSAS If there is anything I can help you out with over the course of the school year, or if you have any questions about Spanish immersion education, I am always happy to hear from you. I can be reached directly at 952.226.0903 or [email protected]. Hasta luego, Richie |
Richie KucinskiPublic education is an extremely complex system. When unpacked, powerful and unique possibilities for our students to influence and change society are discovered. Join me in my learning journey to better understand, frame, and clearly articulate the systems of modern day public education. Archives
November 2015
Categories |