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General Introduction
DC Bilingual Public Charter School’s mission is to implement an academically demanding and age appropriate dual language program designed to foster bilingualism and biliteracy and promote the development of the “whole” student.
DC Bilingual’s educational goals are that all students will:
- graduate from fifth grade fully bilingual and biliterate (in English and Spanish);
- master curriculum content and concepts, according to the adopted learning standards, taught in both languages;
- develop an appreciation for and understanding of cultural and language diversity.
As a community, we follow common rules and guiding principles which help create a safe, positive learning environment for students, staff and families.
We always:
- Treat others the way we want to be treated.
- Try our best.
- Respect and celebrate diversity.
This is our community- Keep it cleans, keep it safe, and keep it happy!
DC Bilingual works towards meeting these goals by providing a challenging dual language curriculum which offers holistic, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all students. Team teachers share instructional responsibilities in the classroom. In the early grades, children receive literacy instruction in their dominant language, ensuring solid development of basic reading and writing skills. Instruction in other content areas is delivered in both languages ensuring that children are exposed to both languages orally throughout the day. While emphasis is placed on standards-based academic instruction, instruction is delivered within the context of the development of the whole child. Physical, social-emotional, linguistic, cognitive and artistic skills are explored and developed through hands-on, experiential learning. Curriculum and curricular resources are chosen and developed based on identified standards. DC Bilingual has adopted the DC Early Learning Standards to guide instruction and measure achievement in PreK and the DCPS standards for elementary grades (www.k12.dc.us/dcps/Standards/standardsHome.htm). The WIDA Language Proficiency Standards (www.WIDA.us) are used for language acquisition in both languages. As part of the school’s on-going work in these early years, DC Bilingual staff and consultants are develop interdisciplinary curriculum units based on the adopted DCPS Learning Standards and approved curricula resources.
DC Bilingual’s educational program and approach emphasize:
- Every aspect of children’s learning and development —cognitive (intellectual), linguistic (language), physical, and social/emotional;
- Hands-on, thematic and project-based learning which incorporates core academic subjects and the arts;
- A stimulating environment for developing independence and learning other important skills;
- High quality professional and bilingual teachers and staff;
- Parent and family involvement in children’s learning.
DC Bilingual’s curriculum was developed based on the following beliefs:
- Children learn by doing, exploring, experimenting, and discovering;
- Children make meaning from hands-on, concrete, here and now experiences;
- Children connect concepts acquired in their home language to new activities and experiences in school;
- Children’s work is play.
Through its interdisciplinary, bilingual curriculum, DC Bilingual maintains a focus on the following educational features:
- bilingualism and biliteracy;
- critical thinking and problem solving;
- joy of learning;
- traditional academic subject matter;
- multiculturalism;
- technology as a learning tool:
- the performing and visual arts; and
- health and physical development.
This document, which is a work in progress, serves as a guide for teachers and parents. During the 2006-2007 school year, we will continue to refine and improve our curriculum. We look forward to continuing to work together to create an academically demanding dual language program in which all students can and will achieve to high levels. |
