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AWL Academics
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We teach four world languages: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Russian. Students take approximately 150 minutes of foreign language on a weekly basis.
Benefits of learning a second language, especially at an early age:
- Provides a positive effect on intellectual growth, and enriches and enhances a child's mental development.
- Give students more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language and a better ear for listening.
- Improves children's understanding of their native languages.
- Opens the door to other cultures, and helps children understand and appreciate people from other countries.
- Gives students a head start on college language requirements.
- Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing a second language is a valued asset.
Our World Language team:
- Ms. Chana'a teaches Arabic
- Ms. Tsai teaches Chinese
- Ms. Aloway teaches Japanese
- Ms. Hoyle teaches Russian
English Language Learning
Our ESL students make up more than 50 percent of our student population. They are immersed in our regular academic programs as well as placed in ESL classes according to their English Proficiency level. Many of our students are adding English to the long list of languages they have already learned in their homes.
Our English as a Second Language team:
- Ms. Erskine teaches Kindergarten and 1st grade.
- Ms. Jones teaches 2nd and 3rd grades.
- Ms. Pan teaches 4th and 5th grades.
- Ms. Striebeck and Ms. Lundy teach 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
AWL Curriculum
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Art
Every student in Kindergarten through the eighth grade comes to the art room once weekly. Instruction is based on the Ohio Academic Content Standards for Visual Art. Art classes involve activities that encourage students to observe, create, and consider visual art — three different perspectives are described in the standards as perceiving/knowing, producing/performing, and responding/reflecting. These three elements involve the student finding their own answers to questions such as:
- “What do we learn from art?”
- “How do artists communicate through art?” and
- “Why do people make art?”
You can see student artwork displayed throughout the building during the school year. We also share our talents with the community at the following, if not more, student art shows:
- Kennedy Heights Art Center in April/May
- City Wide Art Exhibition at the Main Public Library in March/April
- Jury Commission Exhibition in December.
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Music
Every student in Kindergarten through the eighth grade has the opportunity to study music. The music program at AWL is largely based on the Orff methodology. This method of teaching music can be summed up with a quote often attributed to Carl Orff himself which states, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.”
Music classes at our school involve playing instruments, singing and movement. All of these elements involve the student in the art of music and therefore bring understanding. In addition to various other opportunities that arise, the main musical performances involving the students are the annual Middle School musical which takes place right before winter break and our school’s International Festival.
The festival begins with a concert by the entire student body showcasing the music and cultures of the languages we teach and the first languages of many of our students. It is also a goal of our music program for our students to experience live musical performances whenever possible. Because of this, all our students attend the Cincinnati Symphony’s Young Person’s Concerts every year and the Cincinnati Opera and other groups often bring performances to us.
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Physical Education
AWL's Physical Education (P.E.) curriculum is based on the Ohio Department of Education’s Standards for Physical Education. P.E. is a class that meets once a week for the entire student body.
The major emphasis is on developing a healthy body and mind as well as being able to learn how to work together and get along with others in a group setting. We apply all the skills and communication experiences to the outside world. Each lesson or unit is designed using the SIOP (Student Instruction Observation Protocol) model so that students can have an interrelated learning experience in every class at AWL.
Some of the activities we focus on are the five components of fitness, my plate for healthy eating, locomotor movements, and all types of games which help to develop skills relating to physical, emotional and mental health. The goal is to engage students in activities that help them learn how to stay active and eat healthily in order to become outstanding individuals in society.
There has been remarkable research done on movement and learning. Here are some websites that support the importance of Physical Education:
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Middle School Program
The Middle School program at the Academy of World Languages offers rigorous standards-based instruction in all core content areas for students in grades 6-8. Courses are specifically designed to accommodate a multicultural student body with a wide-range of ability levels and developmental needs. Students are placed in content courses based on several indicators: academic ability, English language proficiency, prior educational experiences, and development needs.
At AWL, we are proud to offer a cutting edge SIFE (Students with Interrupted Formal Education) program that immerses students in standard-based content courses while addressing any gaps in their educational history. This program also delivers intense English language courses and technical programs that benefit a diverse group of English Language Learners.
