Two Weeks into it.

Welcome back and Happy Labor Day! If you just now joining me, this is my blog about the Dual Language/ Spanish Immersion program I transferred my son into when we didn't make the Charter School lottery and we didn't want to send him to his district school. This was my first choice anyway. Please see my early post about our decision to send Mason to school here. This blog is to provide info for other parents looking to try a DL program who wants to hear a personal experience. I am not an educator, writer, or native Spanish speaker. I'm just a parent who wants to give my child the best opportunity. So read and learn with me. Because this is all new to me too.

This was a busy week. First, the regular Kindergarten stuff.  We started Road Runners this week. It's a track/running program for the kids. At this age they don't do much. Emphasis is more put on exercise and healthy lifestyle. I believe that is what I read on the http://www.rrca.org website. I research everything. He said he liked it and wanted to do it again. They have a small paved track behind the school. They basically ran laps for 40 mins. The coach said that this week they will pass out sticks to keep count of laps. They are required to attend 3 running events of the season to be considered an active participant. I found it a little unorganized. But I won't get into all that. They are only 3 weeks into school and it was the first practice.

Thursday night was a "Homework Workshop". Now, at first I had no clue what that meant and if it was even for us. The information given out wasn't detailed at all so I emailed the teacher. Turned out it was a beneficial workshop. Both Spanish Immersion teachers gave a power point presentation about how much homework we should do per night. The lecture was given in English and Spanish. We were also given a packet of English and Spanish site words that also included counting to 100 and pronunciation sheets to help us parents. They also gave us a list of usuful websites for English and Spanish. The presentation ended with all of us standing up and reciting Spanish pronunciation. For example: The kids touch their hands to their heads saying "Oso, Oso, Oh, Oh, Oso". Oso is bear in Spanish. Each letter had a hand movement to accompany it. They didn't seem to follow any particular order. Not like the military style Spanish alphabet that I learned in my highschool Spanish class. You can YouTube the military version. Mason and I use this at home. I let him tell me the version he learns in school. It makes him feel like he's teaching me. Which I think is one of the best ways to learn something....teaching someone else.  We also filled out a survey on how useful we thought the workshop was. We were given parent cards to keep track of our involvement. Every time we participate in activities such as this we get a hole punch. When the card is full, we get something. This is where I say I don't need and incentive to participate in my child's education. But this is a title 1 school and they don't have a lot of parent involvement so I understand why they offer it. I also realize not everyone can participate in their child's education due to jobs and other commitments. So, I'm not judging. I just consider myself lucky. Mason's Kindergarten class had the largest turn out of parents for "Homework Workshop" and they won the certificate for frozen yogurt.

Friday! I got the best news I could have ever been greeted with when picking up my son: "Momma, I got Student of the Week"  I thought this was awesome! He was so excited. He was also given a coupon sponsored by McDonald's for a FREE 4-piece chicken nugget. I really want to post a pic but the certificate of achievement has the school name on it which I don't wish share.

So the week was good! Homework was the usual so far. Tracing his name and lunch number. Reciting Spanish letter sounds, counting to 40 in Spanish/English. They have sent home handouts on how to do this if you don't know already.  Mason continued his chanting and singing Spanish songs around the house this week. So far he is staying engaged.

Look below! I've posted some of the handouts for you to view. If I were you I would find these interesting so that's why I'm sharing them with you. So you can see the sort of stuff that they have sent home.

 

I'm trying to keep up with this blog weekly/bi-weekly. Please ask if you have any questions for want to know something I haven't covered. Thank you for reading! Mandy