Thread: Moore Elementary starts dual-language learning for youngest

Moore Elementary starts dual-language learning for youngest students
By Zach Smith
Originally published 01:09 p.m., August 13, 2008
Updated 01:09 p.m., August 13, 2008

Open House
Parents who are interested in the program should attend Chester A. Moore Elementary’s open house:

When: 9 to 11 a.m. Friday

Where: 827 N 29th St., Fort Pierce

For more info: (772) 468-5315
The Setup
• Pre-K students at C.A. Moore will automatically be entered in the program, but kindergarten students will be screened for eligibility before they are permitted to register.

• Registration for the kindergarten program will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with two classes of 16 students. The program is designed to register an equal number of Spanish and English-speaking students.

• Parents will be asked to commit their child to the program through fifth grade.


FORT PIERCE — Students taking their first steps into the world of learning at Chester A. Moore Elementary this fall will be able to take advantage of a new curriculum designed to develop proficiency in two languages.

The school will become the first in St. Lucie County to host a dual-language program that provides instruction in English and Spanish for students in kindergarten and pre-kindergarten.

C.A. Moore Principal Keith Davis said the curriculum, commonly referred to as a 50:50 immersion program, will help Spanish-speaking students learn English while providing English-speaking students with an opportunity to start learning Spanish at an early age.

Classes will be composed of native Spanish- and English-speaking students. A teacher who is a native English speaker will teach half of the class time in English only, and a teacher who is a native Spanish speaker will provide instruction speaking only Spanish during the other half of class.

The dual-language curriculum will meet the same district grade-level requirements for students enrolled in standard pre-K and kindergarten programs.

Social studies and science lessons will be in Spanish, while math lessons will be in English. Concepts will then be reinforced in the opposite language from which they were learned through reading and writing activities.

“It’s not just learning to speak another language, but to have them literate in both languages,â€

Well, starting kids out in another language at an early age is a wonderful way, and kids will be fluent in short order. But why is it always Spanish? What about something they can use in the new world order, like Mandarin Chinese?

Originally Posted by vortex

Well, starting kids out in another language at an early age is a wonderful way, and kids will be fluent in short order. But why is it always Spanish? What about something they can use in the new world order, like Mandarin Chinese?

Why the heck aren't they teaching Cuban! That's who will take over that state!

Oh teach them three languages becuase this town has lots of money, right?

I hope the parents pull out and they close the school .. that's just my nasty self.