Back to School Day - Mrs. KobayashiWriting Support-Grades 5 and 6

ESL 3 - Grades 5 and 6

WELCOME

IntroductionMy name is Deborah Kobayashi. Thanks to my Dutch mother, who speaks four languages fluently, and unlike most Americans, I have been surrounded by people speaking foreign languages since childhood. You may have deduced that my husband is Japanese. We are raising three bilingual/ biliterate children and fully understand the challenges you face. I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Millersville University, which is part of the Pennsylvania State University. Additionally, I have a Master’s Degree in TEFL/TESL from the University of Birmingham, UK. The Center for English Language Studies (CELS) is world-renowned for research of spoken and written corpora, advancing the study of collocation, or the way in which words work together. Your sons may be at different levels, but the challenges are the same. This is an integrated program and they must master all four skills- listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Although I want to maintain a relaxed atmosphere in class, this is a place for serious study. Students must be prepared to work conscientiously and sometimes independently. Even though you may have only negligible English ability, you can listen while they spell new words or read aloud. Discuss what they have read ALOUD and sign the log for the contest. Science and social studies can be supported in your native language. It is important not to neglect your native language while studying at an English medium school, but be careful not to over schedule your child. You can ensure that your son has done his homework, checked it off in his assignment notebook, placed it in the proper folder, and then in his backpack. I do not want to deprive students of their recess. Playing is an excellent way to acquire fluency. However, if homework is not complete, students may be asked to stay in at recess or after school to finish and correct it.

Theme: RENEWAL &ADAPTATION

The theme for this school year is Renewal and Adaptation. Brother Michel has reminded us that renewal is not circular, but a spiral that brings us to higher levels.

St. Mary’s International School

SCHOOLWIDE

LEARNER EXPECTATIONS

The St. Mary’s community is committed to developing self-directed, life-long learners

who are:

OF GOOD CHARACTER

Reflecting values

consistent with Christian principles,

 

KNOWLEDGEABLE

Demonstrating a firm foundation in the academic, physical, and artistic

disciplines, 

GLOBALLY AWARE

Showing sensitivity and compassion

toward human and global concerns in a

multi-cultural world, and exhibiting initiative, reliability, and perseverance in their

response to these concerns.

CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKERS

Confidently using appropriate resources

and current technology, either independently or collaboratively, to reason, make

decisions, and solve problems in a variety of contexts.

 

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATORS

Receiving and expressing ideas and information competently and precisely.

Save the Children

Two years ago we organized a ‘project’ for the boys to participate in the fundraising activities. Our contribution was to make and sell friendship bracelets. We also used the experience as learning unit, writing about our purpose and goal, producing the bracelets, advertising posters, keeping a journal, selling the bracelets after school and at the Christmas fairs at Seisen and SMIS, and producing a final report. Last year, as part of our Nutrition unit we made healthy soups using a variety of beans and sold lunch tickets to our soup kitchen. Our mothers were super chefs and we raised over 30,000 yen! This year I would like to make origami Christmas ornaments, and so I welcome your ideas and expertise. Parents are invited to the classroom and it is a great way to get to know one another.

September 26th is mid-quarter and progress reports will be sent out. I n ESL we use a slightly diff erent grading system. Students are not given traditional A, B, C, D, letter grades; instead they are marked for two components, subject content knowledge and effort. For example:

O - Outstanding Subject Grade_ Effort

S - Satisfactory SCIENCE S I

I - Improving

NI - Needs Impr ovement

In an e f f ort to ass ess th e ‘whole ’ child, developmental categories are als o

included (se e report card r e flection) . The boys should be prepared to make

mistakes and to tolerate the mistakes of others. Everyo ne learns by makin g mistakes.

A word of explanation about the English Only rule. For some students, school is the only opportunity to speak English. Although I do not object to the boys sharing a brief explanation in a native language, conversing in it will have repercussions. Misbehavior will also earn a yellow ticket. Three tickets buy a free trip to the principal for an official reminder. All parents want their children to be successful. There are several handouts. One will help you to predict how your son will do and guide you to f orming realistic expectations. Another is advice on homework. This week I will have the students use a green schedule sheet in order to determine how long it is taking. I do no t want students to sta y up until all hours on homework, (excluding reading which should be a pleasure) and will make adjustments according to the feedback I receive. Please complete the schedule carefully on the days it is assigned.

POEM RECITATIONFor oral fluency

IntonationMemorization

Recorded record

EXIT CRITERIA

80-85% on LessonTests

Level 5 Proficiency on LAS Test

Assignments are on time

Well organized

Participates in class

Understands directions

ASSESSMENT

CLASS PARTICIPATION 5%

HOMEWORK 10%

PROJECTS 15 %

QUIZZES 15%

TESTS 55%

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

JOBSSHARING BOXORGANIZATION

File foldersTote bagZip case

Supply list

STORYTOWN ROUTINE

SpellingPhonicsVocabularyReading ComprehensionGrammarDictationFluencyWriting Prompt

READING LOGS Choose books at appropriate level

Five word rule Read for twenty minutes aloud

Pitfalls of silent reading Contest

Parent must sign Only one comic per month Picture books divide by 3 Illustrated books divide by 2

READING RESPONSE One per month Answer a question/reflect & connect

WRITING JOURNALS

A-F day cycle 2 ENTRIES

One full page/skip lines Use prompts or free choice May illustrate on opposite page Submit on assigned day with corrections Cursive practice

WRITING SUPPPORT

6 + 1 Traits of writing IDEAS ORGANIZATION VOICE WORD CHOICE SENTENCE FLUENCY CONVENTIONS Electronic portfolio- students need a USB Keyboard practice Print 2 copies BEFORE class

COMMUNICATION