The Dual Language Times
January 2018
Second Edition
The Dual Language Times!
The goal of the Dual Language Times newsletter is to keep parents apprised of the happenings occurring in the DL program!
Thank you to the parent representatives from the Meadow's, Hampton's, Jackson's, and the Middle School's DL programs. The Dual Language Committee meets at least twice a year to discuss the developments of the program and to brainstorm ideas to further enhance the wonderful things that students, teachers, and principals do on a daily basis. We value the parent feedback feed and insight! It was their thoughtful input that has led to the development of The Dual Language Times.
As parent of the DL program, you are encouraged to speak to your respective DL representatives for guidance or to provide feedback about your experience. Of course, parents are also encouraged to reach out to the teachers and or principals. Your feedback is always welcomed.
The parent representatives are as follows:
Jeanne FischerMeadow-1st
Sara Davila-Hamue-Meadow-2nd
Elizabeth Rooney-Meadow-2nd grade
Emily Cunha-Jackson 3rd
Traci Levy-Jackson-4th
Cheryl Lampasona-JA-4th
Marcela Meola-MS-5th
Michelle Rescigno-MS-5th
Denise Fogarty-MS-6th
Claudia Mejia Manzano-MS-6th
We are seeking parent representatives for Meadow (K) and Hampton (K-2). Your participation is greatly appreciated. Any interested parents should email Nicole Moriarty nmoriarty@mineola.k12.ny.us
Translanguaging
How Do Our Kids View Dual Language
Reading and Writing in a DL Classroom: From the Desks of Mrs. Rodriguez & Ms. Fabitti
Reading and Writing in a DL Classroom: From the Desks of Mrs. Ramirez & Ms. Lamantia
In the 4th grade Dual Language classrooms students are using the RAFT structure to develop their responses and support their writing with evidence from the text. On the English side students have written memoirs, which depict in a first person point of view, a small moment from the past. On the Spanish side, following the Taínos lead, students have written about what symbols are important to them and provide reasons to support their ideas. In culmination to these two writing pieces, students created FlipGrids where they shared about their writing. Daily in both classes, students have been responding to two chapter books, Indian School (English) and Me Llamo María Isabel (Spanish), by writing a paragraph that demonstrates their understanding of the text and well as the standardized skill.
Total Physical Response (TPR)
What your children are engaging in is Total Physical Response or TPR. This instructional strategy is one way in which bilingual teachers immerse their students in the language of instruction in a meaningful and engaging way. TPR pedagogy is purposefully planned by the two teachers with the important language, concepts, and vocabulary embedded into several paragraphs. The teachers work the students through several days of TPR where they gradually release the responsibility of learning to the students. The TPR serves as comprehensible input for the students, thereby making grade level content accessible to all students regardless of the language of instruction and the students' primary language.
TPR has been developed through decades of research and is a primary tool in the teaching of language to students. A great school-home connection is for you to ask your child to teach you the TPR for the unit so they can serve as a teacher-further engraining the use of the language orally- and you can learn their new language alongside your child.
Meet our Newest Editions!
Ms. Kelly Clifford-Grade 6 English Side Teacher
"Hi my name is Kelly Clifford and I am so excited to be teaching 6th Grade in the Dual Language program this year. I was very fortunate to have done my student teaching this past year in Mineola and I fell in love with the culture and climate of the community here. Besides being really tall, something that I would like my students and parents to know about me is that I believe every student can learn and my goal is to teach children in a way that is exciting and meets their needs as learners. My favorite thing about teaching is that I learn as much from my students as they learn from me. I'm looking forward to seeing how the English and Spanish language come together in a Dual Language classroom."
Make sure to follow Kelly to see all of the amazing things happening inside her classroom!
Kelly can be followed @missclifford24
Ms. Sylvia Maldonado-Grade 6 Spanish Side Teacher
Ms. Christina Castello-Meadow 2nd Grade English Side Teacher
Follow Ms. Castello on twitter:
@misscastello1
Ms. Alexandra Bauer-Meadow Spanish Side Kindergarten Teacher
"My name is Alexandra Bauer and I am the new Dual Language Kindergarten teacher at Meadow Drive Elementary. I am so excited to be a part of the Mineola School District! For the last four years I have been teaching in a Dual Language program in Elmhurst Queens. I taught Kindergarten for my first two years of teaching on the Spanish side. The last two years I taught Second grade in an Integrated Co-teaching classroom, teaching both English and Spanish. With my bachelor’s in Childhood/Special Education and Spanish from Wagner College, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I later pursued my Master’s in Literacy Education, and advanced certificates in Bilingual Education, as well as Teaching English as a Second Language. I am honored to be a part of such an innovative district with a mindset to help both students and teachers grow. “The hardest way to teach is the easiest way to learn!”
Follow Ms. Bauer to see all of the cool things our Kindergarten students are doing!
Nicole Moriarty: K-12 Director of English As A New Language
Email: NMORIARTY@MINEOLA.K12.NY.US
Website: WWW.MINEOLA.K12.NY.US
Location: 121 Jackson Avenue, Mineola, NY, United States
Phone: (516) 237-2010
Twitter: @Colemoriarty