Mandarin Curriculum

Students engage in a comprehensive partial immersion program with 50% of their day in the Mandarin-speaking classroom and 50% of their day in the English-speaking classroom. The kindergarten and first grade Mandarin teachers instruct in mathematics, Chinese culture, Chinese language arts and portions of science. The English-speaking teachers deliver instruction in language arts (reading, writing, and spelling) as well as portions of social studies, science, and math. In first grade the science specialist teaches first graders in the science lab two days a week, and the Mandarin teacher supports that instruction in the classroom. Everyday Mathematics is used in kindergarten and first grade classrooms with some supplemental instruction in Number Corner from Bridges in Mathematics. The specialist classes in art, music, media center, science, and wellness classes are instructed in English. Specialist teachers are integrating Chinese culture into their instruction when appropriate.

 

The foundation of Cherokee School’s curriculum for the Mandarin immersion program is District 67’s core curriculum designed for kindergarten and first grade. Mandarin curriculum is being aligned to the Common Core State Standards, 21st Century Framework, and grade level benchmarks and learning outcomes as is all curriculum in District 67. The Mandarin frameworks for the curricular areas provide a snapshot of curricular instruction for the year.

 

Assessment Practices

Students’ oral proficiency in Mandarin is assessed through formative and summative assessments based on the benchmarks designed for the program. Students continue to be monitored and assessed to measure proficiency in their English speaking classroom through Curriculum Based Materials (CBMs), formative and summative assessments, and benchmarking as indicators of proficiency in their English- speaking classroom.

 

Homework
The purpose of homework is to review the day's lessons and increase understanding and/or to prepare for the following days lesson. Homework for kindergarten students in the Mandarin classroom is limited and usually comes in the form of practicing the identification of Chinese characters and/or using flash cards or simple games to review and practice information learned in class. Homework is typically posted on the teacher’s website as well as given to students to take home. Homework for first grade Mandarin students is similar in nature, but students typically have five Word Wall words a week they are expected to master by identifying, speaking, and writing each word in Chinese characters. A video is provided each Friday to help students and parents hear the correct pronunciation of the Mandarin words and learn the correct stroke order. All videos are posted on the first grade website.

 

Students are encouraged to read and reread student-made books using Chinese characters that are created in the classrooms. Parents are encouraged to read in English with their children every night. We know through research that developing strong literacy skills in a child’s native language will transfer over to the second language.