Reading (Read 180) 1 and 2 - Chelsea Clearman
How long have we had the classes? Our reading program predates me, but we have been using READ180 for six years now which is more EL friendly than our previous program.
Who takes the classes? Any student that is identified by our administration as having a deficit in reading. Normally the deficit is two or more grade levels below their current grade.
What is the purpose of the classes? The purpose of the class to improve students' comprehension, specifically inference-making. Ideally, this will improve classroom achievement and decrease behavioral issues caused by frustrated/embarrassed students.
What are some of the activities or assignments you do? (e.g. presentations, reading, writing, etc.) We read and write everyday, both as a group, and individually. Students also build literacy by reading their own reports and interpreting what their individual data says about their efforts in class.
Fun fact: (Kelsey's note) Many students discover their love of reading through Mrs. Clearman's Read 180 classes! I have had multiple students tell me that they were glad they took Reading because it helped them learn to like to read as well as get better at it. In addition, students that are far below grade level (almost exclusively ELs and SPED students) are usually placed in System 44 Reading class taught by me.
Native Speakers of Spanish 1 and 2 - Jaime Bramer
How long have we had the classes? We have had Native Speakers Spanish for 11 years.
Who takes the classes? Students who speak Spanish in their personal lives and who can at least read magazines/newspapers in Spanish are encouraged to choose Native Speakers Spanish over "regular" Spanish.
What is the purpose of the classes? There are so many purposes! Here are some:
What are some of the activities or assignments you do? (e.g. presentations, reading, writing, etc.) Here are some recent assignments:
Native Speakers I:
Read an excerpt from a novel, completed a creative project (movie poster, map, script writing, etc--they had options)
studied punctuation use, read and discussed an article about the semicolon project, did an oral presentation "One time I felt like (insert punctuation mark here) when (explain with detail what happened)"
Native Speakers II:
Read, discussed ,and analyzed several poems, then students wrote their own sonnets,
studied the future tense, wrote about their own futures, made vision boards about their futures
In a nutshell, they read (short stories, plays, poetry, etc) and they write (personal narratives, descriptive paragraphs, poetry, etc) and they present (some short presentations and some longer presentations) and they study language "stuff" all in Spanish. It's a language arts class.
Fun fact: The funny thing about my kids is that they mix how they speak during class discussions. Some speak almost always in English (unless it's a presentation) and some speak always in Spanish! Normal class is very much "Spanglish." I used to fight it and try to get them to stay in Spanish, but then when I was doing my master's, I learned that it's normal because most of these kids are used to life being that way--they don't even realize which language they are speaking and that's actually a really cool thing! Plus I also learned that some kids feel awkward speaking a lot of Spanish in a classroom setting because they have been required to speak English in school for so long. :( That's difficult to unlearn. So, they are only required to stay 100% in Spanish while speaking if they are doing a presentation in Spanish or if they are working with someone who doesn't speak English.
Heritage French - Rhonda Mellor
How long have we had the classes? The Heritage French class started this school year (2017-2018) with the hopes of serving the growing population of heritage French speakers at UTHS.
Who takes the classes? Students that have already studied French in their home country and have the ability to read and write in French (not only speak) are encouraged to enroll.
What is the purpose of the classes? The goal is to maintain and improve literacy within this population. As with the Native Spanish classes, this course is more like a language arts class with an emphasis on reading and writing. We maintain 100% French speaking in the classroom. For most of the students, French is their second language and they typically do not speak it in the home or with their friends outside of class. Our time each day serves to maintain and improve their French language skills.
What are some of the activities or assignments you do? (e.g. presentations, reading, writing, etc.) Because of the grant from the FACE/FHLP organization with the approval of the French embassy, we have been able to purchase books, magazines, graphic novels, films and other French language resources for our classroom and school library. With these resources, students have participated in weekly book clubs during 1st semester where they actively shared what they had read. Currently this quarter we are reading our first novel (L'Étranger by Camus) together and are having lively decisions about the themes and characters.
Many of the classroom projects are through Google Classroom, a platform that allows these students the opportunity to work with technology while writing in French. They have done a book critique on one of their books of choice. They have written a movie review on one of the films we viewed in class. We comment on blogs and conversations from our text and on each other’s commentaries. The students have done a presentation on their heritage and families. They have written original poetry, narratives, descriptive writings, character sketches and other writings with specific themes or topics. Each of the writings help students to hone their literacy skills with a focus on grammar points they may need to review.
Fun fact: I tell them that because we are the first public high school Heritage Language French class in the 13 Midwestern States, we need to set an example. Other schools that hear of us may create a class where there is need. Students have talked about making a music video or perhaps other ideas to get the word out.