My town of Wapakoneta has a sister city in Lengerich, Germany. This has inspired me for this week's assignment.
My new student's name is Gretel. Her family has just moved her from Lengerich, Germany as her father has taken an automotive engineer's job at the local Ford Engine Plant. In preparation for Gretel's arrival, I have several adaptations to make.
1. I will conduct a home visit with Gretel and her parents. Being able to interact with them one on one in their home, where they feel comfortable, will help give me some background knowledge on Gretel and I will see firsthand her family life.
2. I will research common words in German and teach those to my students prior to Gretel's arrival. Although Gretel's family is bilingual, I feel that hearing her native language will help her feel more at ease. Having at least a basic knowledge of the German language will help both me and my students communicate with her.
3. I will invite her parents to share their customs and family life from Germany with our class. I would especially like for them to do a presentation at Christmas time to show the students how many of our Christmas traditions were started from where Gretel came.
4. I would like to have a German food party. I would ask Gretel what her favorite German foods are and have a sampling of these foods for the class. I feel that food is such an important part of most cultures.
5. I would also do background research to see what child development standards are in place in Germany. Gretel could be ahead or behind what we have already learned. I want to be sure to ease her transition and not frustrate her.
In all, my goal is to provide a welcoming and non-threatening environment for both Gretel and her parents. I want them to feel that I respect and welcome them and their culture. By doing this, we can work together to provide Gretel with a positive school experience.
Reference: http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Germany.html
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteWe have a similar arrangement with a city in Germany too. Our high school students studying German do an exchange each year with students they have been pen pals with. Our daughter participated when she was a sophomore. she stayed with a family for a month. Their daughter then came to stay with us for a month. It was a fun experience.
I think the adaptations and activities you mentioned will certainly help the family adjust to their new home.
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI like your first objective in going to the family's home first to make them feel more comfortable. I think that the family will be appreciative of all of you efforts to make their transition to the United States a little bit easier. I remember just being the new kid in class was stressful for me and I could not imagine coming from another country and learning a new culture.
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteGretel is going to have the time of her life in your classroom. You are using excellent strategies in welcoming her family into the learning environment. You are going to help lots of diverse families by being a culturally responsive educator. Great Teachers produce Great Students!