Dual Language Classes Learn Together

Tuesday saw a conference of kindergarteners in Dual Language Spanish Immersion classes across the BCS district. As part of National Hispanic American Heritage Month, eight Dual Language kindergarten classes, along with the first and fourth grade Dual Language Classes at Avery’s Creek Elementary School, shared joined together for the multi-cultural presentation.

By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department

Tuesday saw a conference of kindergarteners in Dual Language Spanish Immersion classes across the BCS district.

As part of National Hispanic American Heritage Month, eight Dual Language kindergarten classes, along with the first and fourth grade Dual Language Classes at Avery’s Creek Elementary School, joined together for the multi-cultural presentation. Avery’s Creek teacher Giovana Andrea Hurtado Devia organized the event, which also connected the BCS students to a class at Colegio Bolivar in Cali, Colombia, and two authors – Marina Doña from Spain and Charles T. Koontz Intermediate School sixth grader Matías Pedemonte. Ms. Doña taught the children about the magic of monarch butterflies using her book “El sueño de Magalí,” and Matías read his book “Peter, la historia de un farero,” about a lighthouse keeper and wild horses.

“Writers use words that are deeply tied to human senses – words that, quite literally ‘come to life’ in the reader's mind,” Ms. Hurtado said. “Reading like a writer can help students understand their tools and craft, which can be used to their advantage in real-life situations.”

At West Buncombe Elementary School, Ms. Sandra Medellin and teacher assistant Jose Wilches handed butterfly cutouts to their kindergarteners and helped them follow along with the stories.

“This really helps my students realize how big the world is,” Ms. Medellin said. “They enjoyed it and asked lots of questions. And I hope they get inspired by the authors to read and write too.”

Dual Language Spanish Immersion, now offered at eight BCS schools, prepares students to live and work in a global society, fosters bilingualism and bi-literacy, creates enhanced awareness of cultural diversity, and enhances academic achievement. Through programs like Tuesday’s virtual author visits, teachers and students build bridges to peers around the world.

“These types of activities enhance attention and cultural insight, create multi-disciplinary learners, and promote brain plasticity – thus increasing communication skills, empathy, and respect for difference,” she said.

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