Immigrant Students 'Inspired'
Via Hands-On Literacy Course

July 7, 2006

"Project Inspire" has challenged students new to the United States to learn English through hands-on activities emphasizing language development. The gifted-style classes encouraged literacy through the study of journalism, science, folk tales, art and literature. The new program was piloted this June for students in the district's east cluster schools.

Highly-enriched oral language instruction and higher order thinking opportunities were emphasized for 76 students in grades 3-5. Eight teachers formed the instructional team for this pilot program for students who met the federal definition of 'immigrant student" - born outside of the US and attending a US school three or fewer years.

"The instructional program was modeled after strategies frequently used with gifted students," reported Mark Wellborn, gifted coordinator. "Our goal was to help prepare them to enjoy school while transitioning into a new culture."

Juan Borja (center) and Juan Cardenas get advice from Alison Abney, PACE teacher at Daffron Elementary, during photojournalism class.

"Taking photos and interviewing Mr. Wellborn," were among Juan Borja's favorite activities. He chose photo journalism as one of his two class subjects. Other courses studied by students were science, folk tales and art & literature.

"These are students who had good oral language skills in their native countries," noted teacher Alison Abney. "We had strict criteria for them to enter this pilot program." Ms. Abney taught photo journalism with Betty Patton, McCall Elementary dual-language teacher. "This is like a 'little utopia,'" said Ms. Patton, remarking about the learning and fun students have had in the program.

Sunny (left), an immigrant student from China, tests the senses of smell, touch and hearing of Kar (from Sudan), while classmates look on during a science class experiment.

The school district wanted to promote cognitive growth among this first group of "Inspire" students, while helping to "close the achievement gap" among student populations, noted Mark Wellborn. "We're trying to prepare the students for the language and thinking expected in advanced middle school classes.

"And we hope this has helped to build their self-confidence."

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8,500 Students Enroll in Summer Programs

More than 8,500 students have benefited from Plano ISD's many "Summer Opportunities for Learning," housed in 20 schools across the district. Programs included: