What makes Bridges unique? Elaine Klein, PI Annie Smith, Co-Director Curriculum and PD Aika Swai, Program Coordinator Rebecca Curinga, PD Coordinator PD Session #1 August 26, 2013

2 Agenda 12:30 Introductions, Review Agenda + training Goals 12:45 In our students’ shoes 1:15 What do the students bring? 1:30 What makes Bridges unique? 2:00 Break 2:15 Bridges Curricular Features 2:30 Scaffolding 3:00 Bridges Program Features 3:30 Quick Break 3:40 Brainstorm 4:00 Scheduling & Evaluation

3 Content Objectives - Goals Participants will gain an initial understanding of the unique instructional needs of a Bridges student (distinguished from an ELL). Participants will understand the attributes of a Bridges teacher. Participants will understand how the Bridges curriculum and instruction serves the unique needs of these students. Participants will understand the elements of the Bridges Program. Participants will understand the considerations that inform the development and success of a Bridges team.

4 A walk in the shoes of a Bridges student

5 What was your experience like? What did you understand, not understand?

6 Debrief: In the shoes of a Bridges student What do the students need? Use L1 in class Work together See familiar words: “coca-cola” and cognates Friendly, non-threatening teacher Feel good about something– to know I can put my name on the paper Say the words, introduction to vocab A culture where “not-knowing” is encouraged Using gestures Opportunities to reveal previous experiences What do the students bring? Background L1 knowledge and culture Multi-lingual ability Text exposure, some literacy (some don’t have any) Coping mechanisms / Personalities Risk-takers, (or more reserved) Value belief systems HL assessment

7 Previous SIFE Research (Klein and Martohardjono, 2008) SIFE show considerable delays in English academic skills when compared to regular ELLs, that have been in US for same time Most have typical first language development The majority are reading in the home language at 3rd grade level or below Significant contribution of home language reading to English reading comprehension

8 The Building of Bridges Purpose: To prepare students for achievement in non-sheltered 9 th grade by providing An additional, accelerated year of schooling Strong home language support in the curriculum and instructional practices Focus on foundational and text-level academic literacy through content A specialized curriculum integrating language, literacy, and content in Math, Social Studies, Science and ELA A safe, positive, respectful and communal classroom environment for optimal academic development 8

9 Other Models? How do you currently serve ELLs and SIFE in your classrooms? What has worked well? What has been missing? Which (other) programs are you familiar with for ELLs and/or SIFE? SIOP RIGOR

10 What makes Bridges unique? Program Level Target Population Role of Home Language and Culture Integration of Language and Literacy in Content

11 Program Level Interdisciplinary team of teachers Specialized Curriculum in four content areas (and a fifth to be added!) ELA, Social Studies, Science, Math (Language and Literacy) Sheltered classes - students stay together all day To build confidence To build identity as a learner Acclimate students to school environment and school culture

12 Target Population Specific curriculum developed for low- literacy high school newcomers Home language literacy from 0 - 4th grade Students with diverse backgrounds, languages and cultures

13 Role of Home Language & Culture Academic English proficiency and home language maintenance Community of speakers-based learning: students rely on each other as a resource Use of multi-lingual materials and other resources

14 Integration of Language and Literacy in Content Training in Language and Literacy for all Bridges content teachers All classes taught by content teachers Focus on both foundational and text-level literacy through content instruction Critical Thinking and other ‘core instructional elements’

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16 Bridges Curriculum Goals Develop foundational reading skills (learning to read) so that students are able to read to learn. Build foundational world and conceptual knowledge to support student access to high school content. Integrate content knowledge, language and academic skills, so that students gain competence in each domain.

17 Bridges Curriculum Goals (continued) Foster academic habits such as persistence, organization and preparedness as well as an ability to reflect on one’s own learning.

18 The Bridges Curriculum Bridges curriculum framework: Four units each in Math, English, Social Studies and Science that integrate language, literacy and subject area-content. Thematic interdisciplinary connections across the units to promote deep conceptual knowledge. Project – based units developed around essential questions that engage and provoke inquiry.

19 The Curriculum (continued) Each Unit in Every Discipline (e.g. social studies, science, ELA): Builds and engages native language as a resource for learning and deepening literacy in L1 and L2; Emphasizes classroom routines and strategies that promote strong academic habits; Builds towards a final project with articulated outcomes and objectives in all four language domains; Aligns to common core and language development standards.

20 Bridges Unit Structure

21 Curriculum Materials Interdisciplinary Overview Unit Plan(s) Weekly Lesson Outline(s) Sample lessons Sample student materials Teacher’s Guide to the Curriculum Bridges Website

22 Social Studies Unit 2, Week 1 Guiding question: How do people today get what they want and need?

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30 What supported your understanding in this lesson? Visuals, word wall Essential Question, context Repetition Role playing Using words in context (home language partnering, could be used more) Ideas: Bring in worksheets after talking (oral development first) Students build their own word walls in different languages

31 Core Instructional Elements Classroom Environment as a Resource for Learning Oral Language Development Foundational Literacy Integration of Language, Literacy and Content Home Language as a Resource for Learning Academic Literacy Critical Thinking

32 Brainstorm What will it take to implement the Bridges program at your school? Consider: Admin roles and responsibilities Organization and structure of Bridges Team Team Leader responsibilities What are some strengths you will have? What are going to be some challenges? What do you anticipate needing help with? What are some resources you can call upon?

33 Proposed PD Schedule Proposed DatesLocation (TBD) Topic 1. Mon, Aug 26James Monroe HS What makes Bridges unique? 2. Sat, Nov 2Bridges Teacher Training, Part I 3. Sat, Dec 7Bridges Teacher Training, Part II 4. Sat, Jan 25Bridges Teacher Training, Part III 5. Sat, Mar 15Bridges Teacher Training, Part IV 6. Sat, Jun 7Bridges Teacher Training, Part V

34 Assignment Review and Practice Everyone: Check out the Bridges website Skim through the Bridges Curriculum and Teacher’s Guide Teachers: Read Unit 1 across all subject areas Study Unit 1 in your subject area focusing on Week 1 To Do Administrators: How will you select your Bridges team? Come back with an organizational chart for who will be on the team Teachers: Try out one scaffolding technique that you learned today Report on what you did, and how it worked