My native Spanish-speaking bilingual classroom is setting the course for so many other students just like them in my school. These 20 intelligent, curious, and brave Spanish-speaking students are learning in our Pilot Transitional Bilingual Classroom Program. Most of my students are newcomers from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico. They add so much to our diverse Ritenour School District school as they learn in both Spanish and English and strive for literacy and content proficiency in both languages.
"If you speak to a man in a language he understands that goes to his head, but if to speak to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."—Nelson Mandela
I firmly believe in the mission of teaching students in their native language. Every day, I want to welcome them with words that speak to their heart. My students are incredible learners who deserve to have their first language represented in the classroom and celebrated at school as they learn English.
As Amy Chua wisely said, "Do you know what a foreign accent is? A sign of bravery."
My students are smart, brave learners.
My Project
Every day, my students and I join together in a circle to begin our day in a connected, caring, and mindful way. It is so important that students have this time to build classroom community and feel safe sharing their feelings. My students are bilingual superheroes and I want to reflect that in the carpet they use to join together each morning in our comforting classroom ritual. This project is to purchase an incredible bilingual carpet large enough for each student to sit on their own unique color swatch. This bilingual and inclusive carpet will make students feel safe and welcome at the start of each and every day.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Ross and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
