Help me give my students a kickoff to commune with one another (even if English isn't their first language) through the all-time-favorite old school sport of AMERICAN KICKBALL! We are going to host our first annual TIGER CUP!
My students are English Language Learners. This means that their first language spoken is anything other than English. The majority of my students have less than 2 years living in the United States. Most of them come from Spanish-speaking countries. This year, we have new students coming to us from Lebanon and Kuwait.
My students have an immediate need to speak English efficiently to function socially before tackling academic language.
Without the proper books that contain appropriate models of social language, they will be unable to witness, practice and master that specific English language skill. The responsibility of translating for their parents to complete day-to-day business such as getting the cable, lights and water bills placed in their parents' names and medical visits frequently falls upon them. They have no choice in the matter. My students have an intense need to dominate social language quickly so that they can ask for help for themselves as well as family members. My students often find themselves looking for work to help the family household at younger and younger ages. Any books that provide pictorial images related to social language, especially body language and social cueing, are a dire need.
My Project
Every day, nearly 200 students pass through the World Language hallway each hour. They meet and exchange greetings in English, French, Spanish and even Portuguese. They sit in desks to take notes, tests and quizzes. They work together to complete class projects. They even give presentations. Unfortunately, the students who don't speak English well (ELL learners) feel left out. Yes, they succeed in their Spanish and French classes but they struggle to make friendships with native English speakers.
Spring is here.
Many students are busy preparing for Prom and receiving college acceptance letters. Some students are studying to take the driver's test for a second time. There are a number of budding romances popping up left and right. Everyone is so excited because summer break is swiftly approaching.
How cool would it be to celebrate the end of the school year with a good old, clean KICKBALL tournament. The French classes could play for France. The Spanish classes can represent Spain, Costa Rica and Mexico. The ESOL class could represent our USA. Students can practice social skills and practice good sportsmanship regardless of the language barrier. I wonder who will win this TIGER CUP? In the end, it really doesn't matter because WE WILL HAVE FUN. WE WILL MAKE FRIENDS THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE. WE WILL GET ALONG. WE WILL KICKOFF THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. Who knows where this could lead? Maybe, this will be a convertible tournament. We could shapeshift from kickball to dodgeball.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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