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Mission Statement
The mission of the Cranston Public Schools World Language Educator
is to provide students with the knowledge that language and communication
are at the heart of the human experience. The Cranston Public schools
will educate students to interact linguistically and culturally in a pluralistic
American society and abroad. We envision that ALL students will develop
and maintain proficiency in English and at least one other World Language.
Vision Statement
Cranston Public Schools will graduate a student who understands
and uses world languages as a means to:
-----gain understanding of his/her own culture and of other people's
cultures;
-----connect to other disciplines and acquire new information and knowledge;
-----use language to participate in local and global communities;
-----communicate in World Languages other than English.
The knowledge, skills, and values developed from the study of a
World Language will enable every student to become a lifelong learner and
a cooperative worker, as well as a responsible and active member of society
who is sensitive to diversity.
Hallmarks of Standards-Based Instruction in the World Languages Curriculum
Standards-Based Instruction:
-----seeks meaningful, communicative , long-term-memory-based learning
as its goal;
-----seeks to develop higher level thinking skills in students;
-----seeks reflective, self-aware learners;
-----features the use of rubrics to INFORM performance and expectations;
-----features the use of innovative assessment techniques;
-----stresses communicative skills;
-----includes practice in reading and writing, of both English
and of the new language to be acquired;
-----includes assessments that are an integral part of instruction.
Program Outline
Western Hills Middle School currently offers World Language instruction
to all students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
Sixth and seventh graders have the opportunity to study languages and
cultures within the framework of the Exploratory Program. During the
first two quarters of sixth grade, all students participate in “Learning
about Languages.” While in this program, students will develop an appreciation
of the usefulness of World Language study in the areas of travel, employment,
culture, and ethnicity. They will be exposed to the evolving nature
of World Languages and will learn strategies that will prove to be beneficial
not only for future language study, but also for the enhancement of expressive
skills in language arts.
In the eighth grade, students will begin a more focused study of
the language they have chosen from among French, Italian and Spanish.
Classes meet twice weekly for the entire year and emphasize oral communications,
survival skills, and real life situations.
For those students not enrolled in the course described above,
Western Hills has developed a new course this year. The Spanish Tutorial
Program introduces students to Spanish language and culture at a very basic
level. Topics are aligned with the World Language Curriculum and are
modified to meet the interests and skill levels of the individual students.
The Program is designed so that any student may the enter and be able to
succeed in the Program at any time throughout the year, regardless of experience
or background in World Language study