1. How important is participation in my child's grade?
2. Why should my child learn another language?
3. Where can I find more information on learning another language?

How important is participation in my child's grade?

Very important!  It is the best way that I can tell if your child 
is on the 
right page and for him/her to practice the language. If at first, 
your 
student is reticent to verbally show what they know, that is okay 
because I 
give lots of non-verbal opportunities.  Effort is the key. 

1st grade:
Participation 50%
Classwork 30%
Projects 20%

4th and 5th grades:
Participation 50%
Classwork 20%
Projects 15%
Quizzes/Tests 15%

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Why should my child learn another language?

At Sarah Smith Elementary, we are committed to developing 
tolerant and 
curious global citizens.  One way in which we do this is by 
learning about 
other countries and cultures through the French language.  In 
addition to 
broadening your child's horizon, there are many academic 
advantages to 
learning another language. Statistically, children who study a 
second 
language score higher on verbal standardized tests conducted in 
English.  
Language students also perform better in math and logic skills 
than children 
with just one language.  Natural absorption of another language 
occurs before 
children reach puberty. So now is the time to build a strong base 
for 
learning many more foreign languages!

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Where can I find more information on learning another language?

Parent's Press
www.parentspress.com/edulanguage.html

Center for Applied Linguistics
www.cal.org/earlylang/benefits/a_case_for_foreign_languages.html

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