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Dover School IB Administrative Procedure

DOVER SCHOOL LANGUAGE PRACTICES

English Language Instruction

Date adopted: April 1, 2021

Last reviewed: April 1, 2921

 

Philosophy and Purpose:

We believe language is the foundation of all learning and communicating. Dover School language instruction permeates all areas of our curriculum as it helps our students develop fully as individuals and participate in our academic program. At present the majority of our students are English speakers and English is our language of instruction. As a school, we recognize that multilingualism is the right of all students and native languages are welcome, encouraged and fostered. As a PYP school, a second language is offered to all students in addition to our language of instruction. Language instruction consists of several interrelated strands: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

  • Common Core Standards and The IB Language Scope and Sequence guides instruction.
  • Students’ natural desire to communicate through writing is fostered by giving real purpose to their writing, and by exposing them to varied, challenging, and meaningful writing opportunities.
  • The writing process (planning, drafting, editing, proofreading, publishing) is used as age appropriate throughout the grade levels.
  • Students are provided with opportunities to express themselves in writing through a variety of genres.
  • Teachers recognize the value of the language of mathematics, music and art. Students are provided with opportunities to acquire, develop and use language specific to different subject areas.
  • Development of writing is supported by providing constructive feedback from teachers, peers, and other adults; teachers provide instruction in and model the correct usage of language conventions, including spelling, grammar, rules of punctuation, and handwriting and keyboarding.
  • Students have the opportunity to express knowledge and ideas through technological presentations.
  • Reading takes place in all subject areas, and students read across the curriculum whenever appropriate;
  • Each classroom maintains a library collection. The Dover School Library is committed to enhancing all language development. The Vermont Inter-Library Loan System is available for additional resources. The municipal Dover Free Library provides monthly instruction for grades 1-6.
  • A variety of standardized practices are used when planning for instruction, which include, but are not limited to guided reading groups, differentiated reading instruction, word lists, graphic organizers, use of leveled reading material, books on tape, I-Books etc.
  • Phonics and phonemic awareness are integrated into the reading and reading readiness. Students are encouraged to read for information, read for pleasure and read aloud expressively; students are exposed to a variety of genres, including multicultural literature, poetry, plays, trade books, short stories, newspapers/magazines, and informational text;
  • Vocabulary-building techniques, such as word walls, word of the day, use of idioms, metaphors and similes are utilized across the curriculum, whenever appropriate.
  • Read aloud is part of every classroom curriculum. Common Core Standards and The IB Language Scope and Sequence guide instruction.
  • Students are provided ample opportunities to develop and utilize oral language beyond everyday classroom conversations through oral presentations, debates, speeches, role-play, poetry recitations, songs, books on tape.
  • Students experience communication through technology with a 1-1 ratio of computers to students in grades K-6, multiple computers are available in the computer lab.
  • Students may participate in the district Spelling Bee.
  • Through after school programs, students have opportunities to write and create productions using Green Screen technology as well as various computer presentation options.
  • Various language related programs are offered throughout the after school programs.
  • The librarian collaborates regularly with teachers to support the students’ Units of Inquiry.
  • Early Essential Education
  • Differentiated learning and multi-tiered support systems provide assistance for students who have difficulty with any area of language acquisition.
  • Academic Support from literacy interventionists.
  • Speech and language services and special education services are available to students with documented learning disabilities in any of these areas.
  • Orton Gillingham and other reading phonics programs are used for remediation.
  • Access to professional development is available to teachers through the school district.
  • Sign language interpreters are offered for the hearing impaired.

Language experiences across the curriculum utilize the Approaches to Learning and Learner Profile. Use of the important PYP framework of Approaches to Learning and Learner Profile ensures consistency across grades and between subjects. These qualities represent what leads students to being life long learners and internationally minded.

 

LANGUAGE PRACTICES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

Reading

Written Language

Oral Language

Language

 

Second Language Instruction

  • Dover School students, kindergarten through grade 6, receive twice weekly instruction in Spanish. Each class is approximately forty minutes in length. Pre-K classes have a Spanish instruction twice weekly for twenty minutes. Additionally, students have the ability to use computerized language instruction to review and enhance Spanish class. Older students may request lessons in a language other than Spanish.
  • Spanish instruction employs an interactive approach to learning a second language. Vocabulary is introduced through songs, games, books, projects, performance and discussion.
  • Students develop the ability to
    • greet and respond to greetings introduce and respond to introductions
    • engage in conversations
    • express likes and dislikes
    • make requests
    • obtain information
    • understand some ideas and familiar details
    • begin to provide information about the self: family, friends, home,health, school, leisure activities, likes and dislikes
    • experience geography, topography, directions, buildings and monuments, weather and seasons, symbols, cultural and historical figures, places and events, colors, numbers, days, dates, months, time, food and customs, transportation, travel, and professions and work

 

The school library and classrooms support the acquisition of Spanish, displaying Spanish vocabulary and Spanish books in their classroom. Spanish vocabulary is integrated in classroom instruction when appropriate. The music teacher incorporates Spanish music in class and during Whole School Sing. Art instruction reflects Spanish vocabulary and styles of art.

Reviewed 2016

Reviewed 2017

Reviewed 2018

Reviewed 2019