Orchard Hills ESL Newsletter
Mrs. Gunes, Grades K-4
Updates and Important Information
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Community Council
Adult ESL Classes
Reminders
Interested in what we do during ESL time?:
- I will be sending home student work about every 2 weeks. It does not need to be returned to school.
- We will also be using SeeSaw to post our best work, to do assignments, respond to reading, pictures during class, etc.!
Supporting your Students at Home
Please read the original article and references here: Why Reading to Your Kids in Your Home Language Will Help Them Become Better Readers
- Young children who are exposed to age-appropriate books in their native language develop strong pre-literacy skills than children who were only exposed to books in their second language.
- Children who learn to read in their native language first have an easier time learning how to read in their second language.
- Creating a strong, cognitive foundation in their first language allows them to learn other languages faster.
Creating an environment at home that encourages literacy in your child's native language stimulates their development and enforces literacy skills. Some ways you may do this at home are:
- Reading books daily in your child's native language
- Talking about the stories that you read
- Playing rhyming games
- Singing songs
- Encouraging your child to write in their native language
- Having examples of different print material in the home, such as books, greeting cards, magazines, and newspapers
- Playing games, puzzles, and listening to music in their native language
- Having your child use their native language to tell stories
- Teaching them new vocabulary words and helping with pronunciation
Visiting the library and community centers is also a great way to find language resources. If you are having a difficult time finding materials in your language, please contact me!
Mrs. Gunes
(Gunes is pronounced "goo-NESH")
Orchard Hills Elementary
A little bit about me:
This is my 7th year teaching! I taught English as a Foreign Language in Istanbul, Turkey for many years, and have taught 2nd grade as well.
Email: jessica.gunes@novik12.org
Website: https://twitter.com/_mrsgunes
Phone: 248-449-1400
Twitter: @_mrsgunes