Modern Language Department Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2010
Summer Sheeley
I.
II.
III.
Review of Modern Language Wiki with Standards and Curriculum
posted for easy access and editing. I will invite everyone to be a
member of the Wiki this week and asked everyone to read and help
edit.
Highlights from the diversity conference from Amy Bonnici and
Daisy Sam. Daisy and Amy remarked on the inspirational keynote
speaker, Thema Bryant-Davis, and her mention of using movement in
teaching. Amy also spoke briefly on a workshop on heritage speakers.
Discussion of the following questions for reaccreditation.
What are the department’s beliefs about how students learn?
How do these beliefs impact how teachers teach and develop the academic
program?
How is the department curriculum adapted to meet the needs of the students?
How is the department curriculum analyzed to assure continuity?
How do you assure a smooth transition from grade to grade for students in your
subject area?
What are the department's beliefs about how students learn?
1. Language students learn by doing, practicing, repetition, imitation
2. Students learn in different ways - visually, auditory, kinesthetic (movement),
through what they are interested in (may depend on age group), through interpersonal communication…when they have to produce, making connections in the
real world, through immersion, learning the discipline of language learning,
through cultural experiences, through technology
How do these beliefs impact how teachers teach and develop the academic
program?
1. auditory learner - CDs, songs, read and repeated, speak target language
throughout class, listening exercises, radio broadcasts, audio recording activities,
using on-line blogs and super sites, videos, oral exam in Upper School, oral
activities (paired activities) in class
2. visual learners - pictures, movies, power points, media clips, You Tube clips,
flash cards, drawing vocabulary, picture books
3. kinesthetic - imitating tone marks, hand gestures, body language, physical
cues
4. making connections through field trips, pen pals, celebrating cultural events,
bringing heritage speakers on campus, skype, through presentation to schoolwide community (Lower School "word of the week")
How is the department curriculum adapted to meet the needs of students?
1. May change texts to make material more accessible to visual learners
2. Make accommodations for students with diagnosed learning differences,
including spelling accommodations, pass-fail option
3. May emphasize what students are interested in
4. Try to incorporate all types of learners when we teach
5. Incorporate and use Internet and technology
6. Choose text books that have a more direct connection with real life
7. We have the flexibility to change more easily to meet student needs (for
example, choosing different reading for a class of all girls or including a topic like
soccer if the students have an interest)
8. Individualized help outside of class time
How is the department curriculum analyzed to assure continuity?
1. Through departmental reviews at department readings
2. Through teacher-to-teacher conversations about what has been taught in the
previous year and what needs to be addressed
3. Curriculum now available on Wiki and we all can check and update it when
necessary
How do you assure a smooth transition from grade to grade for students in
our subject area?
1. Can see on the Wiki what should have been covered; however, teacher-toteacher communication is crucial
2. Cross-divisional meetings and communication help to ensure smooth
transitions
3. All teachers agree as to what is essential to each class (homework,
participation, etc.) so that students understand what they will be required to do
when they enter the next level of study
4. The oral and written placement exams in the spring and summer ensures a
smooth transition for students new to Wheeler
5. All Upper School teachers use the same rubric for grading oral examination
through the students' experience
All members present except Kelly Foss who was excused.
Notes taken by Ken Clauser.