Learning English doesn’t have to be just about classrooms and books. A summer camp in Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District is showing students can also pick up the language through art projects, music, dance and technology.
About 420 English learners in third through fifth grade at three elementary schools are spending part of their summer in the English Language Development Science and Art Camp, which teaches language skills and confidence through fun projects.
An article in the Orange County Register chronicles how students are learning English in the three-week camp with an Animal Kingdom theme. One of the lessons included having students learn new words and phrases by clapping and singing along to “The Lion King” song “The Circle of Life.”
Here are some other local education stories for the week ending July 21.
- State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares and OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens kicked off the 2017 Safe Schools Conference Wednesday with a panel discussion and news conference. The trio discussed how campuses can better handle hoaxes and false threats, increased screening for school visitors and other timely topics.
- Irvine Valley College is launching a new degree program designed to work around the busy schedules of its working students, with all of its classes taking place after hours and on weekends to accommodate students with traditional Monday-through-Friday work schedules.
- The Irvine Unified School District implemented the first phase of a large renovation project funded by Measure E bond money, starting with six elementary schools.
- Students from Peterson Elementary in Huntington Beach delved into the world of STEAM, as they constructed abstract art as a part of the YMCA’s Get in Gear program.
- A curator at John D. Cooper Archaeological and Paleontological Center in Santa Ana published a children’s book honoring the history of native Americans in Orange County. In support of her vision, several organizations will distribute copies to third-grade students throughout the county.
- A professor at Cal State Fullerton created a unique summer class using Legos to educate young students on robotics technology.
For more education news stories, visit news.ocde.us.