World Language Digital Bridge
Howard County Public Schools, MD
Purpose: To provide differentiated instruction in world languages at the middle school level
Traditionally, students in middle school were offered the opportunity to pursue level 1 French or Spanish over two-three years. Later, two schools added Chinese 1. There was no possibility of acceleration.
Why now?- PreK-5 WoRLD Program (World-Readiness through Language Development)
HCPSS has begun a pilot in eight elementary schools where students receive daily instruction in Spanish in grades PreK-5 building skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Some rising 6th graders will be exiting with increased readiness levels in Spanish.
Vision: To provide a blended learning environment for Middle School World Languages using the station-rotation model.
Step 1: Secure funding through Maryland State Department of Education Innovation Grant
HCPSS was granted a $500,000 grant in Fall 2014
The grant provides a dedicated laptop cart for middle school world language teams, interactive, leveled target language readers, professional learning for teachers on best practices in differentiating instruction
Step 2: Curriculum Development (Spring 2015-Present)
1. Piloting textbooks with interactive learning management systems: online texts, differentiated assessments, differentiated target language readings
2. Developing open-ended performance tasks
3. Developing tiered assignments
4. Developing enrichment vocabulary lists for more advanced learners
5. Embedding curriculum in our new learning management system (Canvas)
2. Developing open-ended performance tasks
3. Developing tiered assignments
4. Developing enrichment vocabulary lists for more advanced learners
5. Embedding curriculum in our new learning management system (Canvas)
Step 3: Professional Learning for Teachers (Fall 2014-Present)
- Implementing Proficiency-Based Rubrics
- Tiering instruction
- Using authentic text
- Implementing performance tasks
- Station-Rotation Model
- Best practices in using the laptop carts in the classroom
Key Learnings Thusfar
- Importance of teacher training and laying the groundwork for differentiated instruction
- Importance of close collaboration with Instructional Technology and Digital Learning
- Writing new curriculum with a new approach takes time
Leslie Grahn, World Language Coordinator
Email: lgrahn@hcpss.org
Website: http://www.hcpss.org/academics/world-language-program/
Location: 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hcpssworldlanguages?fref=ts