Area V French Immersion as an Alternative Program Choice Chinook - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Area V French Immersion as an Alternative Program Choice

Chinook Park | Sam Livingston | Sundance Thursday, January 5, 2017 @ Sundance School 200 Sunmills Dr. S.E. Calgary AB T2X 2N9 (click on the link below for a map to Sundance) 6:30 – 8:00 pm MAP

https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Sunmills+Dr+SE,+Calgary,+AB+T2X+2N9,+Canada/@50.9001 71,-114.04713,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x53717671c3c5b687:0x271e1f60cb873ba4!8m2!3d50.900202!4d- 114.046155?hl=en

Agenda

Introductions Alternative Programs in CBE Why Choose the French Immersion Program for your child? Classroom Visits Question Period

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Introductions and Welcome

Lucie Bouchard and Sophie Prévost, Kindergarten Teachers Jessica Heath & Lori James, Grade 1 Teachers Julie Wong & Tracey Garland, Grade 2 Teachers Tracy Evans, Learning Leader and Grade 3 Teacher Aliki Avdicos, Principal / Dawn Poole A.P.: Chinook Park School Jerry Pedron, Principal / Christine Chrumka A.P.: Sundance School Susan Wright, Principal / Susan Westgate A.P.: Sam Livingston School

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Alternative Program

Calgary Board of Education Alternative Programs The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) values equity, excellence, access, and

• choice. In order to personalize student learning, the CBE offers alternative

programs that are based on:

• cultural emphasis
• subject matter
• teaching and learning methodology
• language of instruction – ie. French Immersion

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French Immersion Alternative Program Statement of Principle

Calgary Board of Education students have equitable access to quality, sustainable French Immersion programs from K-12

Key Characteristics: French Immersion is an alternative program that :

• follows Alberta Education Programs of Study
• is offered to students whose first language is not French
• requires little or no knowledge of French for students beginning the

program and has instructional strategies and materials designed with this in mind

• includes a strong English language program component from Grades 3 to

12

• provides students the opportunity to learn in Canada’s two official

languages

• ffers instruction in French with a focus on oral communication
• embeds French language and culture learning in classroom and school

routines and interactions

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Why choose French Immersion as an Alternate Program?

More Brain Research The latest research on language acquisition reveals that:

• learning a second language not only benefits students by enhancing

their job prospects, travel experiences and cross-cultural skills but also improves their cognitive abilities, resulting in improved grades in their first language and mathematics.

• brain stimulation that occurs when learning a second language

increases divergent thinking, memory ability, and attention span.

• children are capable of learning more than one language and even of

learning multiple languages at the same time.

• learning a second language makes it easier to learn additional

languages as the brain’s sophistication for language learning grows. Benefits of a Bilingual Brain

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Source: Alberta Leads the Way in Second Languages, By Kathryn Speck

Key Characteristics French Immersion is an alternative program that:

• engages the students in higher level thinking, challenging them

to problem solve, to think critically, creatively, and innovatively, to evaluate, and to make important decisions

• involves students in learning experiences and opportunities that

positively impact their personal development, character and citizenship in their schools, city, country, and world

• helps students better understand the history, development and

politics of Canada

• broadens students’ cultural life through access to literature, art,

music and theatre in another language

• enhances and encourages the joy of lifelong learning

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Key outcomes for the French Immersion Program

Students who are successful through to Grade 12 will:

• become functionally fluent in French – they will be capable of using a language

easily and accurately

• have increased success in the English Language Arts
• have opportunities for recognition for having developed functional fluency in
• French. These include:
• CBE certificate: Students qualify for a Certificat de compétences en immersion

française on completion of Grade 12

• International diploma: Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) which lead

to:

• pportunities for advanced placement in post-secondary French and access to

national and international opportunities

• broadened employment opportunities where French is the language of work
• pportunities to participate easily and willingly in French for both personal and

professional needs

• a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, international languages and

cultures

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Elements of culture are embedded in the program and are:

• integral to language acquisition and to learning in all

subjects taught in French.

• experienced through authentic learning.
• visually evident in the school.
• established through community and global connections

that provide opportunities for interaction with native French speakers.

• understood through teacher mediation.
• designed to build global awareness and understanding of
• thers as well as respect and tolerance.

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French Immersion Program Family Profile

• French is not the prevalent language of the child’s home

and community

• Parents do not need to know French
• Parents encourage a positive attitude toward learning and

speaking French

• Parents demonstrate commitment to the program
• Parents are their children’s first and most important

teachers with a lifelong influence

• Family values and beliefs are acknowledged
• Cultural diversity is valued

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French Immersion Learner Profile

• self-motivated and willing to listen to and speak French as

much as possible

• willingness to use French language with peers and teachers

at all times – is verbal and likes to talk

• readily accepts challenges…a risk-taker
• resilient learner (able to accept / apply feedback)
• shows strengths in first language whatever that language

is

• non-Francophone

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Personalization in French Immersion

Personalization is a highly intentional and responsive teaching and learning experience that intensely attends to each student’s learning so that all students can participate, progress, and achieve.

In this learning process staff:

• assess students’ achievement and growth and are purposeful in

addressing what each child needs to be successful They also support students in:

• assessing their own talents and aspirations
• planning a pathway toward their own purposes
• working cooperatively with others on challenging tasks
• maintaining a record of their explorations
• demonstrating their learning against clear standards in a wide

variety of media and in a variety of ways

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Supporting Student Success in French Immersion

The supports in French Immersion schools are the same as in all CBE schools with many strategies and resources being available at the school, area, and system levels to ensure students are successful academically, socially, and emotionally.

These include:

• profiling and assessing students in formative ways (recording students,

anecdotal records, work samples, discussions as they progress).

• using that knowledge to plan authentic, meaningful tasks and account

for the needs of different learners and their learning styles.

• identifying outcomes in ways that all students understand and use to

be independent in their learning.

• utilizing second language teaching strategies such as breaking the

language into manageable chunks, speaking slowly, using visuals and gestures, encouraging oral proficiency, and explaining only in French.

• using small group or one on one instruction and the support of school

and education assistants.

• accessing area and system specialists, strategists and/or psychologists

for additional learning support.

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Supporting your child in French Immersion

Learn together!

• Read and speak to them in their first language, these

skills will transfer to French.

• Show interest in the activities and work they bring home

from school and offer praise and encouragement.

• Communicate with your child’s teacher – you are both

partners in your child’s learning.

• Visit the library, check out French books and audio

books.

• Visit You Tube French Songs for Children and have them

playing in the background as your child plays.

• Watch DVDs together, with French soundtrack.

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Your Young Learner and French Immersion

French Immersion Kindergarten and Your Young Learner

Entering French Immersion Kindergarten is an exciting time for children. Parents and teachers work together to make the transition from home to school and from English to French as smooth as possible. Your young learner…

• has learned in a variety of environments —at home, with extended

family, in daycare programs, and in the community.

• demonstrates his or her knowledge in many different ways.

Your young learner needs…

• rich and varied opportunities to explore their environment.
• to use language in a variety of ways.
• to engage with peers.
• to interact with responsive adults at home, in school, and in their

communities.

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Kindergarten Hours and Times

• Kindergarten programs run either in the morning or in the

afternoon

• Placement in AM or PM is dependent on the community

you live in and CBE Transportation Services

• Hours and days off are dependent on how each school

plans its school year (Ex: Chinook Park works collaboratively with Jewish

Community Center)

• Currently there are no French Immersion Kindergarten full

day programs

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French Immersion School Kindergarten Information Nights

Attend the Kindergarten Orientation at your designated school so you and your child can hear the details about the Kindergarten program in French Immersion, visit the classroom spaces, and see the school:

• Chinook Park | May 11th at 6:00 p.m.
• Sam Livingston School | May 4th at 6:00 p.m.
• Sundance School | May 11th at 6:30 p.m.

First Ride Program: http://www.cbe.ab.ca/schools/busing-and-transportation/Pages/my-1st-ride-program.aspx

(Registration for First Ride begins April 20th)

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Additional Program Information

AS OF JANUARY 5th, 2017…

• From Sundance and Sam Livingston, students go to

Fairview School (Middle School) & E.P. Scarlett (High School)

• From Chinook Park, students go to Harold Panabaker

(Middle School) & E.P. Scarlett (High School) As the CBE is presently going through an accommodation process, schools that students may go to after attending Sundance, Sam Livingston and Chinook Park Schools are likely to change, however E.P. Scarlett will remain the French Immersion High School. January 18, 2017: Area V Open House, 5 – 8 p.m. Nickle School, 2500 Lake Bonavista Drive S.E. register

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Summary

• Entry Points for French Immersion: K-Gr. 1 & Gr.7 (late

Immersion)

• K-2 begins with intensive language (100%) use to build

vocabulary ( English not introduced until Gr. 3)

• French acquired primarily through oral conversation
• Subject material is not translated: Goal = kids thinking in

French!!

• Gr. 3 = 80%/20% Fr./English Gr. 4-6 = 70%/30% Fr./English

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Resources for families

Canadian Parents for French Alberta

• http://cpfalta.ab.ca/

Services for Families in Alberta

• http://humanservices.alberta.ca/programs-and-services.html

A Handbook for Parents

• http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mychildslearning/

School Home Page

Chinook Park http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b306/ Sam Livingston http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b354/ Sundance http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b267/

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Registration Process

Age Requirements

A child who turns 4 on or before March 1 may attend Kindergarten in the fall of that same calendar year. Kindergarten is an optional program and parents decide whether or not to register their children in Kindergarten. A child who turns 5 on or before March 1 is eligible to begin Grade 1 in that same calendar year. A child who turns 6 by September 1 must start school.

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Registration for French Immersion

Can register at any time beginning Jan. 9th, 2017 throughout the spring and even into the beginning of September. Cannot register for Grade 2 and up unless the child has previously attended French Immersion in Grade 1 at another school. Link to Kindergarten Calculator: (scroll to middle of page)

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/kindergarten/Pages/default.aspx

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How do I register?

You will need to provide: Legal proof of your child’s name, date of birth, and citizenship status in Canada. The following documents are acceptable:

Birth Certificate Canadian Citizenship Certificate Passport Canadian Provincial Government Registration of Live Birth Court Order Canadian Federal Government Record of Landing

Information that confirms your address

(e.g. utility bill, purchase agreement, drivers license)

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Registering Non-Canadian Students

If your child is not a Canadian citizen, you will need to register at the Admissions Office at Kingsland Centre This is also the case even if your child has attended school elsewhere in Canada Phone 403-777-7373 to ask questions or to make an appointment Kingsland Centre is located at 7430 5th Street S.W. Calgary You will need to provide legal proof of your child’s name, date of birth, and citizenship status in Canada. Phone them and they will tell you what documents to bring with you.

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Classroom Visits (divide into four groups)

• 1. Kindergarten
• 2. Grade One
• 3. Grade Two
• 4. Grade Three

Rotate from Kindergarten (Room 17/18) to Grade One (Room 12/13) to Grade Two (Room 8/9) to Grade Three (Room 2)

General Questions