Online Library Resources

Please visit http://www.cpsd.us/cpsdir/EM_Baldwin.cfm to access Baldwin School Library Resources online.

Library Media Center

Weekly library classes are held for grades K-3 in the Library Media Center on the 4th floor. These scheduled classes alternate between literary lessons, and long book exchanges. Literary classes are based on readings from good literature, often presented with engaging illustrations. Developing listening skills and imagination are both very important facets of the process. Well-known authors and illustrators are introduced as we read text in various forms such as poetry, short stories, fantasy, and nonfiction. The Third Grade classes are introduced to many stories based in the Cambridge or Boston area. The students map the geographical locations of the story setting to correlate with the social studies curriculum. Biographies, and other nonfiction is emphasized. American folk heroes are presented in grade two, along with legends from many world cultures. Grades 1, and K emphasize good library citizenship and active audience participation.

On alternate weeks, long book exchanges allow the students to explore the library media center as each student concentrates on learning how to find his/her own particular subjects of interest. It is a time to explore shelves, look at displays, learn the organizational system of libraries, draw from our drawing books, use the Electronic Bookcase Quiz program, or receive individual help.

Grades 4 and 5 often hold book groups in the library. They also work in small research groups, and as independent users. Many students become daily patrons at this age level.

The upper grades are often brought into the library media center through model collaborative projects which plan, design, implement and evaluate student projects by both the Ed technology and Ed media departments. The library is the place for collaborative projects and research for all subjects.

The Intergenerational Tutors, a volunteer reading tutorial program for first graders, is also housed in the Library Media Center. If anyone would like to volunteer in the library media center for either a regularly scheduled time each week, or for a one-time project, please call 349-6525.

Spanish Language Program

Cambridge Public Schools World Language Curriculum

The World Language Curriculum is focused on Spanish for grades 6-8. There is adeveloped curriculum for these grades and it emphasizes speaking, writing, listening and readingskills. Beginning in grade six, students are exposed to the thematic arrangement of vocabulary and grammatical concepts, and by grade eight; much more emphasis is placed on the thematic arrangement of vocabulary and grammatical concepts. Our number one goal for the 8th grade is that students become proficient in using the present tense of regular and irregular verbs.

There is no curriculum for grades 3-6. Actually, The Baldwin School is the only school in The Cambridge Public Schools that is offering Spanish in these grades. We are using the Massachusetts World Language Curriculum Frameworks as a guide. By using the state curriculum frameworks, we are able to stay current on what is expected by the Massachusetts Department of Education in the world language classrooms for these grades. The state framework is used for grades K-4, so we are not able to use these exactly, but it is used as a guide as to what first, second and third year students should be able to do.

Class Requirements:
A notebook, a folder, a writing utensil, homework from the previous night or any worksheets used, and a Spanish to English dictionary for grades 6-8.

Integration of Subject Matter:
Reading, writing, study methods, research, library skills, computers. We believe in the education of all students in all the above-mentioned areas in Foreign Language acquisition, assessment in a variety of ways. This may include but is not limited to written assessment, as well as, oral, reading and projects. All the cuniculums nsed are in accordance with the Massachusetts World Language Curriculum Frameworks.

Homework Policy:
Grades 3-5: Homework will be assigned whenever necessary. This may be used as a review or when class work is not completed
Grades 6-8: Homework is a vital part in the acquisition of a second language. Therefore, homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Six unexcused missed homework assignments will result in an automatic failure for the term. If a student is absent once, he or she will have one day to make up the missed assignment. Ifa student is absent three days, three days will be given for the student to make up the missing work, etc.

Instructional Methods:
A combination of methods will be used. This may include but is not exclusive to TPR, (Total Physical Response), use of dialogues, oral communication, small and large group work, peer teaching with an emphasis on cooperative learning methods.

Assessment:
Written tests will be used only in grades 5-8. They will be used to evaluate effectiveness of lessons, amount of knowledge that has been acquired and retained by students.

Student effort is rewarded and can help a student's grade even with poor test results.

Oral Proficiency:
It is vital for students learning a foreign language to communicate their ideas and thoughts. Therefore, oral assessment and the use of dialogues will be used on a regular basis.

Writing will also be used to assess student development. Written assessment may include but is not limited to short paragraphs, project, reports and creative writing.

Class participation is very important in the acquisition of a second language. Class participation directly effects the student's grade. Homework counts as 30% of the student's grade. It is crucial to practice the language as much as possible.

Each student's grade is directly affected by their effort and behavior. Oral reports are used frequently as a measure of assessment. This also allows for work with pronunciation and is a very good tool used to aid students in the mastery of the language being studied. Students are expected to be on time and prepared for class on a regular basis. If a student is not, this may affect his/her grade in a negative way. All students in grades 3-8 are subjectively graded on cooperation, respect of others, conduct, participation, willingness to learn, tests, and homework.

Reporting:
Student work is graded and some is retained for examples to be used to show other students. Most work is returned to students. This work should be shared with parents or guardians. In situations that warrant, some work will require a parent signature. Everything should be kept in a student portfolio.

All students will receive a grade four times a year. These grades will be in the form of report cards that will be sent home. This should be signed by the parent or guardian and returned back to school. Parents are asked to set up an appointment either in person or by phone to discuss any questions or concerns.

Warning slips are sent home or phone calls are made to parents when a student is not performing up to their ability. We at the Baldwin School encourage parent involvement in your child's education. Please feel free at any time to get in touch with any concern or questions.