BILITERACY CLASSES A BOON FOR PUPILS; PUPILS GET BICULTURAL EDUCATION.Byline: John Sanders John Sanders is the name of
As part of its biliteracy program, the Palmdale School District The Palmdale School District is a school district that serves a major part of the city of Palmdale, California (USA). The Palmdale School District was first formed in 1888. Approximately 28,000 students are enrolled in the Palmdale School District. has begun intersession in·ter·ses·sion n. The time between two academic sessions or semesters. in  ter·ses classes for kindergarten and first-grade students who are off-track from their normal school. Using English and Spanish as they do during their regular schooling, the youngsters enjoy a more laid-back environment than in their regular classroom, instructors say. ``(They) use both the languages that they're learning in different types of environments that are more playful; where the language is more `real' and less classroom or educational so that they really use the language like you would if you were a native speaker,'' said Biliteracy Programs Coordinator Roger Gallizzi. ``Here they're getting to use it in a more natural environment.'' Ten or so pupils attend classes from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily for each session, which lasts a week. Kids are served both breakfast and lunch in the class, which is taught in a portable classroom adjoining the Palmdale School District administrative office. Kids also learn science, art, literature and about their community. Different activities include weighing objects on a scale or constructing monsters with paper, scissors scissors Cutting instrument or tool consisting of a pair of opposed metal blades that meet and cut when the handles at their ends are brought together. Modern scissors are of two types: the more usual pivoted blades have a rivet or screw connection between the cutting ends and glue. ``This is a nice opportunity because this is extra time to be around puzzles and books. They're not glued in front of the TV - (they have) a chance to play outside, as well,'' Gallizzi said. ``The kids love it.'' Gallizzi said some of the parents even attend the classes and assist the teachers. The biliteracy program, which is 2 years old, is a voluntary program in the district, which teaches kids in both English and Spanish when they start school in kindergarten. The program, which is funded through a federal grant at about $120,000 per year, has an enrollment of 350 kids. Three schools are taking part in the biliteracy project: Tamarisk tamarisk (tăm`ərĭsk), shrub or small tree of the genus Tamarix, native chiefly to the Mediterranean area and to central Asia. The plants are often heathlike and thrive in arid and coastal regions. Elementary, Manzanita manzanita: see bearberry. Elementary and Buena Vista Elementary. Next year the district will add Mesquite, Tumbleweed tumbleweed, any of several plants, particularly abundant in prairie and steppe regions, that commonly break from their roots at maturity and, drying into a rounded tangle of light, stiff branches, roll before the wind, covering long distances and scattering seed as , Palm Tree and Yucca. ``They'll learn two languages, and that means they'll not only be bilingual, but they'll be bicultural bi·cul·tur·al adj. Of or relating to two distinct cultures in one nation or geographic region: bicultural education. bi·cul ,'' Gallizzi said. ``And if you know two cultures, then you have more than one perspective on what the world looks like. We're really sort of breaking down racial and ethnic barriers from kindergarten. These kids are going to grow up thinking it's normal to be different.'' CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1--Color) Teacher Connie Argueta listens as kindergartners and first-graders answer in English and Spanish. (2) Connie Argueta helps her students cut pictures from magazines and create monsters for their art projects during biliteracy classes. (3) Timothy Eaton, 6, follows along in a book as he listens to a story on tape Tuesday. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer |
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