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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is Dual Language Montessori?

Riley Dual Language Montessori is the only program of its kind in WI and is a part of America’s largest network of public Montessori schools. At Riley, all K3 and K4 students are instructed in 100% Spanish. In this environment, children acquire language and literacy skills in an immersive, supportive environment using the Montessori curriculum.  K5 students are instructed in 90% Spanish and 10% English. By following this method students develop speaking, reading, and writing skills in both Spanish and English, while fostering independence and problem-solving skills through the Montessori method.

¿Qué es dual lenguaje Montessori?

Riley Dual Language Montessori es el único programa de este tipo en WI y forma parte de la red de escuelas públicas Montessori más grande de Estados Unidos. En Riley, todos los estudiantes de K3 y K4 reciben instrucción 100% en español. En este entorno, los niños adquieren habilidades lingüísticas y de alfabetización en un entorno inmersivo y de apoyo utilizando el plan de estudios Montessori. Los estudiantes de K5 reciben instrucción en un 90 % en español y un 10 % en inglés. Al seguir este método, los estudiantes desarrollan habilidades para hablar, leer y escribir tanto en español como en inglés, mientras fomentan la independencia y las habilidades para resolver problemas a través del método Montessori.

What does a Lower Elementary classroom teach?

A Montessori Lower Elementary classroom combines children 1st-3rd grade. At Riley, all Lower Elementary classrooms are instructed primarily in Spanish but are encouraged to explore both languages. The Montessori Method builds on the skills and experiences acquired in the Primary classroom to build proficiencies in reading, writing, math and science.

Qué enseña un aula de la escuela primaria inferior?

Un salón de clases de Montessori de primaria inferior combina niños de 1er a 3er grado. En Riley, todas las aulas de la Primaria inferior se enseñan principalmente en español, pero se les anima a explorar ambos idiomas. El Método Montessori se basa en las habilidades y experiencias adquiridas en el aula de Primaria para desarrollar habilidades en lectura, scritura, matemáticas y ciencias.

What if my house only speaks Spanish or English or neither, can I still enroll?

Yes! A dual language program helps children become literate in both Spanish and English by 8th grade. The dual language program includes native English-speaking students and native speakers of foreign languages. Dual language programs promote academic achievement and cross-cultural competencies for all students

¿Qué tal si en mi casa solo se habla inglés, español o ninguno, todavía debería asistir?

¡Si! Un programa de lenguaje dual ayuda a los niños a alfabetizarse tanto en español como en inglés para el octavo grado. El programa de doble idioma incluye estudiantes nativos de habla inglesa y hablantes nativos de idiomas extranjeros. Los programas de lenguaje dual promueven el rendimiento académico y las competencias interculturales para todos los estudiantes.

What does your growth plan look like?

Riley Dual Language Montessori program was established in 2017. For the 2020-2021 school year we are K3-2nd grade but are expected to expand to 8th grade by 2028. This is an exciting time to become apart of growing, supportive multicultural and bilingual community!

¿Son una escuela nueva, cual es el plan de crecimiento?

El programa Riley Dual Lenguaje Montessori se estableció en 2017. Para el año escolar 2020-2021 estamos en K3-2 ° grado, pero se espera que se expanda a 8 ° grado para 2028. Este es un momento emocionante para juntarse con la creciente comunidad bilingüe y multicultural.

What does a Montessori Primary classroom teach?

A Montessori classroom combines children ages 3-6 (K3-K5). Students learn to care for themselves, each other, and their classroom through Grace and Courtesy lessons and Practical Life hands-on activities. K3 and K4 students are engaged in a Montessori half day program (7:25-10:25). K5 is a full day Montessori program (7:25-2:10) which includes gym, music, art, lunch and recess. Students experience the Montessori environment absorbing curricular concepts such as reading and writing in Spanish and English. They also explore algebra, geometry, geography, social sciences, science and so much more.

¿Qué enseña un aula de Montessori Primaria?

Un salón de clases Montessori combina niños de 3 a 6 años (K3-K5). Los estudiantes aprenden a cuidar de sí mismos, de los demás y de su salón de clases a través de las lecciones de Gracia y cortesía y las actividades prácticas de la vida práctica. Los estudiantes de K3 y K4 participan en un programa Montessori de medio día (7:25-10:25). K5 es un programa Montessori de día completo (7:25-2:10) que incluye gimnasia, música, arte, almuerzo y recreo. Los estudiantes experimentan el ambiente Montessori absorbiendo conceptos curriculares como lectura y escritura en español e inglés. También exploran álgebra, geometría, geografía, ciencias sociales, ciencia y mucho más.

How is technology used in the Montessori curriculum?

Technology use is limited in Primary and Lower Elementary classrooms (primarily it’s used in standardized testing). Montessori classrooms immerse children in tactile learning experiences that help develop language, literacy, mathematics, and science skills. As the Riley Dual Language program grows and expands, technology will be incorporated where needed to help children learn and explore independently!

¿Cómo se usa la tecnología en el plan de estudios Montessori?

El uso de la tecnología es limitado en las aulas de primaria y primaria inferior (principalmente se usa en pruebas estandarizadas). Las aulas Montessori sumergen a los niños en experiencias táctiles de aprendizaje que ayudan a desarrollar habilidades de lenguaje, alfabetización, matemáticas y ciencias. A medida que el programa Riley Dual Lenguaje crece y se expande, se incorporará tecnología donde sea necesario para ayudar a los niños a aprender y explorar de forma independiente.

How is nature and wellness incorporated into the classrooms?

Maria Montessori passionately believed that nature was important to the development of a child. The method she pioneered incorporates nature and promotes health and wellness as a part of it’s approach. Riley Parent Teacher Association (PTA) established a Green and Wellness Committee to partner with organizations like Urban Ecology Center, Sixteenth Street Clinic, and Journey House to install garden boxes, write for grants, sponsor field trips, and spend more time outdoors and improving the health of our community.

¿Cómo se incorpora la naturaleza y el bienestar a las aulas?

Maria Montessori creía apasionadamente que la naturaleza era importante para el desarrollo de un niño. El método que fue pionera incorpora la naturaleza y promueve la salud y el bienestar como parte de su enfoque. La Asociación de Padres y Maestros de Riley (PTA) estableció un Comité Verde y de Bienestar para asociarse con organizaciones como el Centro de Ecología Urbana, la Clínica Sixth Street y Journey House para instalar cajas de jardín, escribir para subvenciones, patrocinar excursiones y pasar más tiempo al aire libre y mejorar la salud de nuestra comunidad.

How do I enroll in Riley’s Dual Language Montessori Program?

Enrollment for K3 & K4 for the 2023-24 school year is open from Feb. 4, 2023 – Mar. 5, 2023. You may apply online and list Riley as your first choice.
For more help with the application process or to request a tour please call (414) 902-7157.

¿Cómo me inscribo en el Programa Montessori de Lenguaje Dual de Riley?

La inscripción para K3 y K4 para el año escolar 2023-24 está abierta del 4 de febrero de 2023 al 5 de marzo de 2023. Puede solicitar en línea presione aquí y elija a Riley como su primera opción. Para obtener más ayuda con el proceso de solicitud o para solicitar un tour, llame al (414) 902-7157.

Tell me about monthly Montessori parent education at Riley.

Here at Riley, we build and strengthen our community through monthly parent education sessions. We regularly have guest speakers come present on a wide variety of topics. This is a great opportunity to learn how to support your child’s bilingual development through the Montessori method, and so much more

Cuéntame sobre la educación mensual para padres Montessori en Riley.

Aquí en Riley, construimos y fortalecemos nuestra comunidad a través de sesiones mensuales de educación para padres. Regularmente tenemos invitados que presentan acerca de una amplia variedad de temas. ¡Esta es una gran oportunidad para aprender cómo apoyar el desarrollo bilingüe de su hijo a través del método Montessori, y mucho más!

Tell me more about testing, assessment and report cards.

Riley uses a Montessori Report Card that was designed to help staff and parents assess a child’s academic needs in a specialized program. Riley’s Dual Language Montessori program assess children in the language of instruction. For example, if you’re primarily instructed in Spanish, your evaluation/testing is done in Spanish. As a child progresses in the program and becomes bilingual, evaluation/testing will be done in both Spanish and English.

Cuéntame más sobre pruebas, evaluaciones y boletas de calificaciones.

Riley utiliza una boleta de calificaciones Montessori que fue diseñada para ayudar al personal y a los padres a evaluar las necesidades académicas de un niño en un programa especializado. El programa Montessori de Lenguaje Dual de Riley evalúa a los niños en el idioma de instrucción. Por ejemplo, si se le enseña principalmente en español, su evaluación / prueba se realiza en español. A medida que el niño progresa en el programa y se convierte en bilingüe, la evaluación / evaluación se realizará tanto en español como en inglés.

Tell me about Riley’s parent community.

Here at Riley we have a strong community of parents who are actively advocating for our multicultural, bilingual community. We have a PTA and a Student Engagement Council and plenty of ways to get involved! We also have a strong presence at the district’s Montessori Advisory Committee, ensuring our school is always fully represented in district decisions and discussions.

Cuéntame sobre la comunidad de padres de Riley

Aquí en Riley tenemos una comunidad sólida de padres que defienden activamente nuestra comunidad multicultural y bilingüe. ¡Tenemos una PTA y un Consejo de Participación Estudiantil y muchas maneras de participar! También tenemos una fuerte presencia en el Comité Asesor Montessori del distrito, asegurando que nuestra escuela siempre esté totalmente representada en las decisiones y discusiones del distrito.

Why Language Immersion?

Language Immersion programs have been widely implemented across the country and abroad for more than forty years. Research has consistently shown that language immersion education helps English-home language learners attain high levels of proficiency in a second language. At two way program, like ours at Riley, we meet the unique needs of our Spanish-home language learners, who come to us as emerging bilinguals. According to Thomas and Collier (2009), historically underserved students, attain greater academic success when they participate in a language immersion program.

Cognitive Benefits

Bilingual learners have been found to experience the following cognitive benefits:

• greater cognitive flexibility, increased attention control, better memory, and problem solving skills (Lindholm-Leary, 2001).

• strong critical and divergent thinking skills, (Bialystock, 2001; Cenoz & Genesee, 1998; Hakuta, 1986)

• enhanced understanding of their primary language AND greater ease in learning other languages (Cenoz & Valencia, 1994; Sanz, 2000, Fortune, 2012).

Academic & Socio-Cultural Benefits

Over the years, it has been consistently found that students in a language immersion program achieve as well as or better than their non-immersion peers in the subjects of reading, math, and science. In addition, immersion students achieve higher levels of second language proficiency (leading to bilingualism) than other school models (Campbell, Gray, Rhodes & Snow, 1985; Harley, et al, 1990; Curtain & Dahlberg, 2010; Forrest, 2007, 2011; Lindholm, Leary & Howard, 2008; Fortune, 2012).

Spanish-Home Language learners in two-way programs perform better than their peers who are in English only programs (Thomas & Collier, 1997, 2002, 2012). Our program is an additive bilingual program, which strengthens and augments every child’s home language while they are gaining a second language.

All immersion learners have the opportunity to develop an understanding of and an appreciation for other cultures, develop a high level of self-esteem and experience positive interactions with people from other cultures and countries (Lightbown & Spada, 2006).

Emerging Bilinguals

Newer research conducted on the effectiveness of Portland Public Schools’ immersion programs for English learners (EL) shows that there was little benefit in terms of mathematics and science performance, but also no detriment. However, by sixth and seventh grade, the probabilities of English learners in immersion programs remaining classified as EL are three to four percentage points lower than those of their counterparts. For learners whose home language matched the partner language, as it does in our program (Spanish), the effect is even stronger (Steele, et al., 2017). More importantly, it sends the strong message to our Spanish Home Language bilingual learners that their home language is important.

Employment Benefits

Even though language immersion students spend half their academic day or more in a language other than English they tend to outperform their non-immersion peers on academic achievement tests in English (Turnbull, Hart & Lapkin 2000). In the 21st century, being able to conduct business or professional discussions in more than one language is essential. Many local and global employers need a multilingual workforce to remain competitive.

In addition to the above benefits, language immersion also offers our native Spanish speaking students, whose heritage is the partner language and culture, the opportunity to develop a positive linguistic and cultural identity that allows them to better connect with their parents, relatives and community.