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Spanish Immersion - Page 1
Highland Park Jr. High is one of St. Paul's magnet schools. Students in the continuing Immersion speciality receive a challenging and innovative language program during their two years at Highland. The Immersion program provides students coming out of the Adams Spanish Immersion with the supportive, friendly, family-like learning environment.
Immersion students may take up to half of their classes taught in Spanish. These classes are Spanish Immersion Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science. Also unique to the immersion speciality is the fact that students have the opportunity to choose to study a third language: French, Chinese, German or sign language.
As in the elementary school, students are "immersed" in the target language. They receive classroom instruction in Spanish, and are required to respond in the second language. This consistent interaction and exchange allows the students to continue to develop and refine their second language skills while they are maturing both academically and physically.
The immersion method of language instruction emphasizes using the target language in a natural way. Rather than treating the language as subject matter, it is incorporated into the curriculum according the the student's increasing level of ability. Students are encouraged to use Spanish to discuss ideas, to make their feelings and needs known, and to use the language spontaneously rather than just during class.
THE CURRICULUM
The curriculum at Highland Jr. High includes the same basic course offerings as other middle schools in the St. Paul Public School District. Continuing Immersion students may have four of their eight classes (Spanish Immersion Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies) taught in Spanish.
Spanish Immersion Language Arts: This class emphasizes the communicative, literary and grammatical aspects of the language. Reading, comprehension and writing skills are also a major part of this course. At each grade level, enrichment units such as letter writing, research skills, poetry and drama are added to the class.
Social Studies: Subject areas are alternated each year in the Social Studies curriculum. World Geography is offered one year and U.S. History the next. In each Social Studies class, an activity oriented approach to learning is encouraged. Students are challenged to become more involved in the material they are studying by actively creating projects both in class and as homework. All of our texts are printed in Spanish and coincide with the curriculum set forth by the St. Paul Public Schools. Social studies classes are offered at both the Challenge and Regular levels.
Mathematics: Math is taught using Spanish texts and workbooks that correspond with the adopted St. Paul Public Schools course of study. In order to accommodate the different learning levels of the students, Math offerings include: Math 7, Math 8, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra.
Science: The Science class follows the Science curriculum of the St. Paul Public Schools using the SciencePlus textbook. This text is written bilingually using both Spanish and English. However, it is used only in Spanish in the class. The Science curriculum focuses on the natural sciences utilizing many experiments and fun activities in our newly renovated science labs.
As well as the offerings in Spanish Immersion, classes taught in English include language arts, physical education, and health. Students also have the opportunity to study art, another world language, technology, and music. In the area of music, there is band, orchestra or chorus according to personal interest.
The staff of Highland Park's Spanish Immersion Program believes that field trips are an integral part of the program. Students visit such places as the Minneapolis Art Museum, the St. Paul Science Museum, the Ordway Theater, Fort Snelling and more.
All immersion teachers at Highland are certified secondary teachers in their respective curricular areas and are bilingual in Spanish. Our teachers have lived or studied in other countries and continue to travel for extended periods to Spanish speaking countries. In this way, our teachers remain current in Spanish language and culture.
Bilingual Amity aides are a tremendous asset to the program. Currently there are two Amities at Highland Junior. These Amities work in the specific content areas of Mathematics, Spanish Language Arts, Science or Social Studies with small groups of students. They assist the classroom teacher in giving individualized instruction to students who require additional help, serve as second language role models, and translate curriculum materials for classroom use as needed.
Spanish Immersion - Page 2
ENROLLMENT
Enrollment in Highland's Spanish Immersion program is open to any student who has successfully completed an elementary immersion program or who demonstrates appropriate language proficiency. Parents must choose Highland's Spanish Immersion as their first choice in the selection process in order to ensure their child's enrollment in the program.
The Highland Immersion staff is conscious of the need to provide a smooth transition experience for sixth grade students who are about to begin a junior high school career. Therefore, each year, a three - pronged program to familiarize elementary students with Highland is begun in early December. First, 7th grade students return to their elementary school to talk to the 6th grade students about the Highland school day and how it differs from elementary school. Secondly, the entire 6th grade class as well as any parents that are interested are invited to come to Highland during the school day. During this visit, which is usually an hour an a half in length, students are given a tour of the school, see a slide show about Highland and actually visit a 7th grade immersion classroom in session. Finally, all parents of 6th grade students are invited to come to an evening open house. The parents are also given a tour of the school, are able to meet teachers and administrators, and are shown the curriculum materials that their children will be using at Highland.
EVALUATION
Research indicates that second language instruction may improve pupils' achievement in other areas. Studies in Canada, California and Maryland have shown that students in a language immersion program do as well as or better than monolingual students at the same grade level.
At Highland, students take the same standardized achievement tests as other St. Paul Public School students. At Highland, however, standardized tests are given each year at all grade levels. Parents receive reports of their children's academic progress and linguistic progress by means of report cards four times per year.
Pupils enrolled in the Highland Spanish Immersion should be able to:
1- Communicate in Spanish language with the ability close to that of a student for whom the language is native.
2- Read and do as well as or better in English Language Arts as the rest of the students who have studied in English only classes.
3- Acquire a greater understanding, knowledge and appreciation of other cultures.
4- Be able to study in both English and Spanish with ease.
5- Perform as well as or better than other students in English, Science, Math and Social Studies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DR. MARIO KNOTZ
HIGHLAND PARK JR. HIGH
975 SO. SNELLING AVE.
ST. PAUL, MN. 55116
(612) 293-8950 ext. 123 |
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