Language, Science & Cultural Explorations in Costa Rica
Robert Cho, Boston Public Schools FFT Fellow - 2005 Slide 2 Needs
~50% of my students are native Spanish speakers All of these
students speak English All of these students speak English ~ 1/3 of
their parents do NOT speak English ~ 1/3 of their parents do NOT
speak English I lacked a real-world connection to major portions of
my district-prescribed science curriculum Diversity of Life
Diversity of Life Earth History Earth History Slide 3 Goals Science
Connections Spanish Language Immersion Slide 4 Outcomes I attained
a degree of functional fluency in conversational Spanish my skills
and confidence have continued to grow my skills and confidence have
continued to grow I gained a deeper understanding of science topics
directly connected to my curriculum Diversity of Life Diversity of
Life Earth History Earth History Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Outcomes
First-hand experience of being a second language learner Slide 8
Outcomes Created a deeper personal connection with my students
(language, culture, experiences) Slide 9 Outcomes Using my
experience to create extensions beyond the district-prescribed
curriculum Readings about science & scientists Readings about
science & scientists Jigsaw lessons on leaf-cutter ants Jigsaw
lessons on leaf-cutter ants Slide 10 Outcomes Validated and
emphasized the importance of putting me into the classroom Slide 11
Slide 12 Outcomes The love of being a lifelong learner
Reinvigorated my passion for research Reinvigorated my passion for
research Modeling for my students and colleagues Modeling for my
students and colleagues Slide 13 Thank you!
