Language Immersion at Yinghua Academy

In December 2005 the Yinghua Academy Board researched language immersion programs in Minnesota and across the U.S.  Yinghua Academy Board members visited language immersion schools, reviewed information on their websites, had conference calls with school leaders, and talked with language immersion experts at the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) at the University of Minnesota.  Based on this research, the Yinghua Academy Board decided that Yinghua Academy would be primarily a language immersion school.

Studies show that students in immersion programs are able to achieve high levels of proficiency in the immersion language and perform on standardized tests administered in English as well as or better than students in non-immersion programs.  While some immersion students may score below grade-level on English standardized tests in 3rd grade, they typically catch up and score at or above grade-level by 5th grade.  Other positive outcomes for immersion students include increased multi-cultural awareness, greater cognitive flexibility, and expanded world views.

During the 2007-2008 school year our program will include:

• Kindergarten and 1st grade – Full immersion in Mandarin Chinese;
  
  
• 2nd grade – Full immersion in Mandarin Chinese + 45-60 minutes of English Language Arts every day;
  
  
• 3rd and 4th grade – Academic content taught primarily in English + 45-60 minutes every day of instruction in the Mandarin Chinese language;
  
  
• A wide range of Chinese cultural experiences for all students.

Curriculum

The curriculum at Yinghua Academy uses the Core Knowledge Sequence as its foundation.  The concept behind the Core Knowledge Sequence is that there is a set of knowledge and information that educated Americans typically know and that this set of knowledge and information should form the core of the elementary school curriculum.  This set of knowledge includes, for example, key scientific principles, important events from world and American history and how they affect our lives today, great writers, musicians, and artists, and civic leaders from all backgrounds.

Another key concept of the Core Knowledge Sequence is that students should learn this knowledge and information in a systematic and sequential way during their elementary school years.  The Core Knowledge Sequence provides a clear content outline, in which each grade builds upon and adds to the knowledge learned in the past year's lessons so that the students are exposed to more in-depth knowledge and information each year.  Sequential knowledge building helps eliminate learning gaps and allows for the most effective use of students' and teachers' school time. 

The Core Knowledge Sequence does not prescribe teaching methods.  In fact, the Core Knowledge Sequence allows the school leader and the teachers considerable flexibility in determining the teaching practices that work best for their students.  For more information about the Core Knowledge Sequence, please go to: www.coreknowledge.org.

Instruction in English Language Arts includes a balanced literacy approach by combining phonics and skill based instruction with a reading curriculum such as Reading for Mastery, along with literature circles and trade book reading activities. 

Math will be taught using the Singapore Math curriculum.  Singapore Math is utilized worldwide and can be found in many U.S. schools.  Singapore Math is best known for its ability to help students understand the "why" behind math concepts.

Yinghua Academy’s culture curriculum has been developed with the goal of helping our student to understand the people, customs, history and heritage of China and other world cultures.  Our culture curriculum includes school and classroom activities as well as community participation and field trips.


Character Education Plan: Teach, Respect, Be Safe, Be Peaceful

In order to fully develop and instill community awareness and character in the students of Yinghua Academy, we have a developed a new Character Education Plan to teach students about life and ethics as a part of daily lessons.  Character development will be integrated into all aspects of life at Yinghua Academy.

READ
The English library time during the first six weeks of the school year will have an emphasis on character development literature. During each library class a book will be read aloud in English and the students will discuss the moral taught in the book.

WRITE
During computer class the students will write books abouthemselves being respectful members of a community.  The students will write these books in both English and Chinese; and they will be presented to their classmates during a whole school presentation.

ACT
Students will role play practical life situations in which they can learn positive conflict resolution, including preemptive ways to prevent conflict.  Students will practice polite interactions and positive behavior.

LEARN
The emphasis for September will be on Character Education.  Each day the students will learn and discuss new words such as: peace, kindness, together, honor, respect, community, etc.  The teachers will focus on the importance of moving from self-centeredness toward others-awareness.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION
When students have disagreements with other students, instead of having a “time out.” the students will be sent to Peace Zones, where they will thing about why they are having a conflict.  After spending some independent self-reflection time, the students will meet on a Peace Rug to talk with each other to try to learn how to resolve conflicts.  After the students have unsuccessfully tired to resolve their conflicts, an adult will help mediate.  Through this practice the students will learn the importance of taking ownership and responsibility for their actions.  Individual students may also be asked to reflect in a Peace Zone, if their actions were unsafe or disruptive.  Children may also choose to go to a Peace Zone independently if they need some “alone time.

Teachers will focus on and applaud desired behavior rather than focus on undesired behavior.  Rewards will be given to groups of students when they show teamwork and community.