Although I have very limited experience in the Spanish Bilingual Program here in Calgary, I have been discussing the pros and cons of the program with other teachers. According to the Board, the Spanish Bilingual Program is the only program that is continuously growing. More and more parents are choosing to put their child in this program, and from what I have heard, many parents are quite supportive when it comes to reinforcing this new language at home. That being said, there are still many parents who are very busy and unfortunately, do not have much time to sit down with their children every night to help them with homework. This is why I think having a flipped classroom could be a big obstacle.
What I have learned through the years is that there will always be students who do not do their homework, with or without the proper resources and support at home. This is especially true with high school students. While I understand that parents are trying to relate to their teen and give him/her some independence, some teens still need some more guidance than others. Another aspect I have been reflecting on is the usage of a flipped lesson with Applied students. In my experience so many Applied students do not want to do homework, and therefore, I have changed many lessons and projects so that they can be completed in class. Not only am I there to assist them when they need help, but it is also a way for me to monitor their progress and ensure that the work is theirs and plagiarism is not an issue.
However, if I were to employ a flipped lesson, I think that this one would be beneficial and a great start. After results and reflection, I would decide if this is something to continue with or maybe try with another class/topic in the future.
A Lesson To Parents
Dear Parent/Guardian,
As we move into a new year of the Spanish Bilingual Program, continued use and practice of Spanish at home is essential in helping your child improve his/her language skills. As always, your support and encouragement at home is extremely important when it comes to motivating our children to do their best.
One of the most important grammar concepts we will learn this year is learning how to use the verbs ser and estar (the verbs for to be) properly in Spanish. In order to do this, students will be watching an informational video on the verbs and then completing some online exercises, which need to be completed by this Monday. The results will be sent to me, where I can monitor progress and see where students need the most help. It is from these results that I can plan lessons that will help our children become Spanish superstars!
If you do not understand Spanish, do not worry! Your support in helping your child watch the video and complete the exercises is imperative to his/her growth at home. Together we can help our children succeed in this special program.
Below, you will find the following links to the work that needs to be completed. You can also find the links in D2L, which your child will know how to access. If the internet is not available at home, it is possible for your child to complete the work at school during lunch or after school, or even at your local public library. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for your ongoing help and support,
Ms. Blanchette
Links: Verb Video: http://tinyurl.com/oxxtlj5
Online practice: http://tinyurl.com/okwae
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