Homework Survival for Early Immersion Parents

1. School logo Homework Survival for Early Immersion Parents Thank you to Government of PEI “Learn Grant” for support of this project and development team: Gail Lecky, Carolyn MacKinnon, Lise Deveau and Mary MacPhee

2. Why homework?How much homework?How you can support your child

3. Children whose parents have a positive attitude towards learning and take an interest in their child’s schoolwork do better in school and tend to have higher levels of motivation and fewer academic, behavioral or emotional problems. You are on the right track!

4. The Goal of the French Immersion program • The goal of French immersion programs is to provide youth with the opportunity to become functionally bilingual, to be able to work in both official languages and to appreciate cultures other than their own. • Cultural component/strand (Christmas Turkey vs Rappie Pie • Same outcomes as English stream

5. New surroundings • New people / older kids • Different routine • New language • Longer days School readiness

6. Time on task

7. Grades 4-6 Language Arts – 30% Math – 20% Visual Arts – 5% Health – 5% Science – 5% Social Studies – 5% Physical Education – 5% Music – 5% Core French – 10% Locally Determined Time (LDT) – 5% Kindergarten – play based Grades 1-3 Language Arts – 45% Math – 20% Visual Arts – 5% Health – 4% Science – 3% Social Studies – 3% Physical Education – 5% Music – 5% Locally Determined Time (LDT) – 5% 2 Subjects taught in French

8. Reading Matters

9. What role does oral language play? Oral language plays a key role in the language learning process and is the foundation of literacy development.  Verbal communication skills are fundamental in developing proficiency in reading and writing and are also essential for thinking and learning. Students 1) learn; 2) reflect on what they are learning; and 3) communicate their knowledge and understanding through talking.

10. Homework: • Is independent practice of what they have already learned. • Review is considered homework. • Concepts are key. • Provides an opportunity for growth. • Gives you an insight. • Privacy. • The perfectionist child. About homework If your child tells you there was no homework that night, they are probably not being truthful.

11. Set time and place for homework, discard distractions. • Child is ready (not hungry, knows schedule) • Their homework, not yours • Check for completeness not correctness • Show your support by helping manage time, setting priorities, therefore developing good work habits (have a calendar for upcoming quizzes and tests) What is your homework struggle?

12. Be supportive • Encourage • Positive attitude • Listen • Provide supplies, a good study environment • Don’t ask them to say something in French • Find ways to reinforce their language skills • Be interested in the school activities, join CPF I don’t speak FrenchJe ne parle pas français!??? You don’t have to speak French, you are not needed to do the homework , only support the process. • If you are working and your child isn’t, you are “helping too much”.

13. A place for homework • What is your child’s study style? • Computer smarts • Necessary stuff Simple things you can do

14. 7 styles • 3 associated with students (visual, auditory and kinesthetic/tactile) • Take the test Do you know your child’s learning style?

15. Offer support … not criticism What to do when frustration, uncertainty and fatigue set in? Super! C’estbeau! • What “reward works for your child? • Stay up extra 20 minutes • More on –line time • Special lunch • Time together • Family outing Fantastique! Bravo! Excellent! Trèsbien! • Bon travail! Oui!

16. Tutoring, monitors, resource • Peer support • Meet the teacher nights/ etc. • Extra-curricular activities (CPF or other) • When to contact your teacher • Your child’s attitude changes.  • Your child frequently struggles with homework.  • You don’t understand the teacher’s notes on a test or instructions.  Help at school

17. Early Years Evaluation (K) • Provincial Common Assessments (K+) • PISA (international) • Pan Canadian Assessment Program • Student's Achieve (gr 7-12) • Teacher How are they doing?

18. Cultural appreciation and awareness are important elements of second language learning. • Browse through books together at a local or online bookstore or French library • Subscribe to a French magazine for kids • Watch French TV programs • Buy some French CDs, DVDs • Visit French websites for kids/teens • Experience French in your community French is everywhere

19. 100% of $25 membership fee goes into school programs • You will receive : A copy of CPF National Helping your child become bilingual: A toolkit for CPF Members as well as this CPF PEI toolkit . You also get newsletters, early registration opportunities and programs for your children. • Access to camps, contests • Demonstrate you are involved • Be informed about provincial policy and issues that affect your children and their French Second Language program • Support extracurricular French activities • Foster a sense of community and encourage parental engagement. CPF can help

20. Swimming poule

21. Did you hear about the Frenchman who fell of the roof into a pile of baguettes? • He survived but was in a lot of pain.