Showing posts with label preschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preschool. Show all posts
4/27/16
Early Language at PWA
At Prince William Academy we believe that in the global world in which our children are growing up, it is crucial to provide them with the skills that they will need to take an active and responsible role in the world.
By
living and going to school in a region rich with cultural opportunities, our
students have the chance to access vibrant cosmopolitan cities in which
visitors from many countries interact, share their cultures and participate in
discussion and policy development.
By
offering children early exposure to a diverse array of cultural experiences and
instruction in other languages, our goal is that PWA students will broaden
their horizons, gain stronger commitments to their own cultural heritages, and
be ready to play an active role in a global future.
At
PWA we believe that it is crucial for all children to have the opportunity to
gain fluency in more than one language and culture. Not only does language
learning support academic achievement and provide cognitive benefits to
students, it affects attitudes and beliefs about language learning and provides
entry to other cultures. Beginning at
age two, our students study Spanish each day in addition to a world language
selected by their parents. This year we
are offering Mandarin, Arabic, and French.
Our goal will be to introduce Farsi and Urdu in the future as our school
community needs dictate.
There
is a large body of research demonstrating that language learning provides
students with academic advantages.[1] The American Council of Teaching Foreign
Language (ACTFL) has compiled an extensive body of research on the benefits of
dual-language instruction programs. The research, grounded in historical
context and current literature, notes that students who learn a second language
have increased student achievement results compared to peers, improved
cognitive skills, and overall positive attitudes for other cultures.
Counter-intuitively
perhaps, it is clear that time spent learning a second language bolsters the
learning of the first language too, as students, especially young children,
develop cognitive tools that allow them to apply lessons from one language
directly to the second. To achieve
bi-literacy and ensure competence in cross-cultural communication, Prince
William Academy aims to instruct students in the two languages beginning at age
two, making the most of the innate ability of young children to learn language,
and contributing to their increased cognitive skills and higher achievement in
other academic areas.[2] Our effort from preschool through eighth
grade promotes bi-literacy, grade-level academic achievement, and positive
cross-cultural attitudes and behaviors in all students.[3]
A
growing body of research indicates that language instruction provides multiple
advantages to students, including:
·
Students achieve well above grade level, even
years after their participation.
·
Students become proficient in another language
and develop deeper cultural awareness.
·
Non-native English speakers and native English
speakers in instruction programs perform as well as or better than their peers
educated in other types of programs. For
example, both native Spanish speakers and native English speakers in instruction
programs perform better than their peers both on English standardized
achievement tests and Spanish standardized achievement tests.
There
is also evidence that early language learning improves cognitive abilities and
that bilingualism correlates with increased cognitive development and
abilities.[4]
There is also a correlation between bilingualism and attentional control on
cognitive tasks. Furthermore, a correlation between bilingualism and
intelligence and between bilingualism and meta-linguistic skills, memory
skills, problem solving ability and improved verbal and spatial abilities
exists.[5]
Culture
is an integral part of language learning, as the language provides a window
into that culture and offers students the opportunity to engage actively with
it. Research demonstrates that learning a target language helps young children
develop positive attitudes to that language and the people who speak it.[6]
At Prince William Academy,
students view second language learning and the insights gained into another
culture as a normal part of their schooling.
At
Prince William Academy, language acquisition is not just about learning a new
language or being able to communicate with another person in a different
language. Cultural understanding and an
ability to compete globally is what drives our intensive language studies and
compliment our robust curriculum.
Learn more about our friends at Prince William Academy here. PWA is an advertiser on PwcMoms.com.
Learn more about our friends at Prince William Academy here. PWA is an advertiser on PwcMoms.com.
Armstrong, P. W., & Rogers, J. D. (1997).
Basic skills revisited: The effects of foreign language instruction on reading,
math, and language arts. Learning Languages, 2(3), 20-31
Johnson, C. E., Flores, J. S., & Eillson,
F. P. (1963). The effect of foreign language instruction on basic learning in
elementary schools: A second report. The Modern Language Journal, 47(1), 8-11.
Turnbull, M., Hart, D., & Lapkin, S.
(2003). Grade 6 French instruction students’ performance on large-sclar
reading, writing, and mathematics tests: Building explanations. AlbertaJournal of Educational Research, 49(1),
6-23. From PsychINFO database.
[2]
Stewart, J.H., Foreign Language Study in Elementary Schools: Benefits and
Implications for Achievement in Early Childhood, Education
Journal, 2005, 33(1), pp. 11-16.
[3] Dual
Language Education of New Mexico, available at http://www.dlenm.org/archive/2007/dlenm/101.html.
[4] Foster,
K. M., & Reeves, C. K. (1989). Foreign Language in the Elementary School
(FLES) improves cognitive skills. FLES News, 2(3), 4.
[5]
Bamford, K. W., & Mizokawa, D. T. (1991). Additive-bilingual (instruction)
education: Cognitive and language development. Language Learning, 41(3),
413-429. From ERIC database.
[6]
Bamford, K. W., & Mizokawa, D. T. (1989). Cognitive and attitudinal
outcomes of an additive-bilingual program. U.S.; Washington: ED305826
[6] Morgan, C. (1993)
‘Attitude change and foreign language culture learning’ in Language Teaching,
26 (2), pp. 63-75.
11/18/15
Mini Camps for Winter 2015 at Engineering for Kids
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Come join Engineering For Kids for fun and
educational Classes, Clubs and Mini Camps!
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Register before December 15th and save $10
Use code: WINTER15 at checkout
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Our winter mini camps will be held from 8:30am-5:30pm on the
following dates at our Lake Ridge Center.
*Lunch
is NOT provided. Children are encouraged to bring a bag lunch and
snacks.
(Please
NO peanut products)
Winter Mini Camp Schedule:
Ages: 5-14 Cost: $60 per mini camp
December 21st: MinecraftEDU - Traveling into the
Future
December 22nd- Robotics 101
December 23rd- Frosty Framework
December 28th: MinecraftEDU - Traveling into the
Future
December 29th: Electronic Game Design: Bug
Invasion Games
December 30th: Electrical Engineering - Electrified
December Club Schedule:
Junior Engineering Clubs (Ages 4-6) $60 monthly per
club
Jr. Discovery Engineering- December 2nd, 9th, 16th,
23rd, and 30th (5pm-5:45pm)
Jr. Tinkerlab- December 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
(9:30am-10:15am)
Apprentice/Master Engineering Clubs (ages 7-14) $75 monthly
per club
Robotics Club: Robo Battles- December 7th, 14th, 21st,
and 28th (6pm-7:30pm)
Coding Club:Hardware Engineering-Makey Makey- December
2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th
(6pm-7:30pm)
Girls Only Coding Club: Robotics 101- December 5th,
12th, 19th, and 26th (9am-10:30am)
Mini Camp Descriptions:
MinecraftEDU- Traveling into the Future
Join us in an apocalyptic future, one where the earth
has been ravaged by a series of natural disasters. Each day, students rely on
the engineering design process to solve a series of challenges such as
building a city on a series of islands, escaping from a bunker on Mt. Everest
and even building a rocket to land on the moon! Through the application of
engineering principles, students solve numerous challenges as they make their
virtual world of Minecraft a safe place for humanity once again.
Robotics101-
During Robotics 101 program, students will learn the
basics of designing, programming, and controlling a fully functional robot.
Using LEGO® MINDSTORMS®, mathematical concepts, and engineering principles
students will brainstorm, plan, test, and modify sequences of instructions to
accomplish a given task. Students will also learn the sequence of
communication between the robot, and the programmer by collecting and
analyzing data using the robot's sensors.
Frosty Framework-
Students will construct a gingerbread house in order to
gain an understanding of structural properties in architecture, as well as
the properties of different materials used in building construction.
Electronic Game Design: Bug Invasion Games
Eek! The bugs are after our birthday cake!! In
Electronic Game Design: Bug Invasion, we will create our own version of an
invader defense game that is set in a home where we have to defend our
birthday cake from an infestation of ravenous bugs! We will use the
Engineering Design Process to create a storyboard to outline the rules of
play and characters for our game. Then, we will use Clickteam Fusion 2.5® to
bring our storyboard to life with programming. At the end of the class,
everyone takes home a working Windows-compatible game (Clickteam Fusion 2.5®
does not support Mac or Android operating systems).
Electrical Engineering- Electrified
During the Electrical Engineering classes, students use
the Engineering Design Process to design, create, test, and refine basic
electronics and circuits. Students experiment with Snap Circuits® to discover
the capabilities of major electronic components. In addition, students build
their own flashlights and explore the world of magnetic energy by building
their own Magnetic Levitation vehicle.
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10/21/15
Giveaway: Peter Rabbit Tales at HPAC
This week's giveaway is for a family four pack of tickets to the Hylton Family Series presentation of Peter Rabbit Tales taking place November 1st at 2pm or 4pm. To enter, find the matching image of Peter Rabbit Tales on our Facebook fan page and leave a message identifying whether you like Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton Tail, or Peter the best :) Good luck!
Peter Rabbit™ Tales
Based on The Orginial Peter Rabbit Books® by Beatrix Potter
- November 1, 2015 at 2:00 pm
- November 1, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Merchant Hall
The magical and marvelous world of Beatrix Potter comes alive at the Hylton Center when Peter Rabbit and his cousin, Benjamin Bunny, go on one final escapade in Mr. McGregor’s garden. All of Potter’s popular characters are along for the ride, from Squirrel Nutkin to Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and Jemima Puddleduck to Thomasina Tittlemouse. With this delightful performance, Peter Rabbit and friends celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of this beloved British children’s author. The adventures and misadventures of these cherished characters have enchanted young readers for well over a century, when the precocious young rabbit first hopped out of the pages of a storybook and into children’s hearts. The Enchantment Theatre Company brings this captivating performance for children filled with fantastic masks, whimsical puppets, gorgeous scenery, and original music.
As always, when you enter one of our giveaways you agree to be bound by our giveaway rules.
4/28/15
Virginia Gateway Little Tots 2015
Virginia Gateway offers a FREE family series all summer long! See our previous review here.
Join us for fun and lively family entertainment every other Wednesday at 10:30 am all summer long on the Plaza at Atlas Walk (located across from Starbucks, between Famous Dave's BBQ and Grafton Street Restaurant). Be sure to check back for more updates!
May 6: Rocknoceros
May 6: Rocknoceros
May 20: Wildlife Ambassadors
June 3: Eric Energy
June 17: Shazam Magic
July 1: Kidsinger Jim
July 15: Reptiles Alive!
July 29: Peter McCory
August 12: Beowulf T. Wonderbunny
August 26: Under The Sea
Bring your Little Tot's swimsuit for fun in the interactive splash fountain after the event (splash fountain located at Promenade at Virginia Gateway, just across Wellington Road).
4/20/15
2015 Junior Ranger Program at Leesylvania State Park
2/18/15
Giveaway: Pushcart Players: Alice in Wonderland at the Hylton Center
Next week at the Hylton, don't miss Alice in Wonderland!!
Pushcart Players: Alice in Wonderland
February 28, 2015 at 11 am and 2 pm
Lewis Carroll’s zany and
fantastical tale comes to life when this Emmy-nominated troupe returns to the
Hylton Center with Alice in Wonderland. Filled with pure nonsense and
madcap characters that everyone knows and loves – from the White Rabbit and the
Mad Hatter to the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts – this intriguing tale
about a curious and imaginative young girl has enchanted readers for many
generations. Pushcart Players now brings young Alice’s adventure to the stage
in this delightful adaptation, complemented by whimsical music, vibrant costumes,
and spectacular scenic elements. “A polished and knowing theater company and a
felicitous event for children.” (The New York Times)
Tickets: $15 Adults, $5 Children
Want to win tickets? Use the Rafflecopter Below! Winner will be announced on SUNDAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway______________________________________________________
Reminder/Disclaimers: PwcMoms giveaways are sponsored and provided by the institution named. PwcMoms facilitates the giveaways, but is not responsible for prizes or facilities. Please refer to our giveaway rules for full details. If you enter, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
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