It was the last day of term. My Kindy students were putting the final glittery touches on their Christmas Nativity wall hangings, Italian Christmas songs on repeat in the background. Buon Natale! È nato Gesù! (Happy Christmas, Jesus is born!) We were celebrating the birth of Jesus and the end of Kindy’s first year learning a language together. A day later, the classrooms were strangely quiet, emptied of their chatter, endless energy and laughter. It was time to reflect. Had I used the time wisely? Had I taught them well? What foundational understandings and attitudes of hospitality would these Kindy graduates bring to their next language class? How would I grow as a teacher from this year’s experiences? What might I do differently next time? My approach had been to give Kindergarten an immersion experience, with no English spoken. (It really can be done!) Learning the skills necessary to understand another language, while at the same time learning to appreciate how it would feel for non-English speaking classmates when they first arrive at school.
Via the Language of the Month resource, Kindy also learnt to experience, affirm and celebrate each other’s language and cultural backgrounds. It had been a rich year of learning, in only 30 minutes a week! Celebrate, reflect, grow. Plan. It’s a process by which, with God’s help and inspiration and with the collaboration of other teaching colleagues, we can ensure that we are giving our best to the students in our care. Here are a few suggestions you may find helpful:
Buon Natale! È nato Gesù! Libby Colla
1 Comment
Rachel Moore
10/12/2016 08:44:19 am
I'm sure your little ones will take this unforgettable language experience with them into their lives! I love the way you have used learning activities that tap into all the senses and the heart. Joyeux Noël!
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