Sep, 11th, 2023

On the afternoon of September 11th, SAIS held the second PTA of the 2023-24 semester. The main purpose of this PTA is to use graded reading, musical expression and interactive socialization to stimulate the endogenous motivation of the children, to grasp the critical and sensitive period of language learning between the ages of 3-7, and to grow up to be  geniuses.

9月6日，深美举办了2023-24学期的第二次家委会。此次家委会的目的是想使用分级阅读，音乐表达和互动社交从而激发深美孩子的语言学习内生动力，把握语言学习的3-7岁关键敏感期，成长为多母语小天才。

The event was a presentation held by the PTA President, who is also a principal of a Silicon Valley Innovative Elementary School. The event was divided into 4 divs, first she explained that the language sensitive period is scientifically 0-7 years old, but this is just a result of big data statistics, because our brain is an evolving thing, even though we don't have more neurons, but we have to believe in the theory of neuroplasticity. Some parents may worry that their child's difficulties with bilingualism will cause future socialization or reading hindrances, but it doesn't, instead the child's brain gets more training. The parts of a language learner's brain that are stimulated are not the same as a monolingual, so isn't it true that bilingual children are smarter? In the specific case of the math test, we can see that the bilingual child already scored better on the math test in second grade than the other half.

此次活动是由家委会主席举行讲解，同时她也是一个硅谷创新小学的校长。活动内容分为4个板块，首先她讲解了语言敏感期在科学上是0-7岁，但这只是一个大数据统计的结果，因为我们大脑是一个不断发展的东西，即使我们没有更多的神经元了，但是要相信神经可塑性这一理论。有些家长可能会担心孩子在学习双语时遇到的困难会造成今后社交或者阅读上的阻碍，其实并不会，反而孩子的脑子得到了更多的训练。一个语言学习者脑部被激发的部位和一个单语言是不一样的，那是不是双语的孩子更聪明呢？通过数学考试的具体案例中，我们可以看出双语的孩子在二年级的数学考试成绩就已经比另外一半好了。

The second content is graded reading, graded reading allows children to have challenges, can be operated by themselves and with the syllabus, but on the other hand, graded reading language input is single, the text is not beautiful enough and lack of a complete reading experience. RAZ is a graded reading system encouraged by SAIS, which has a very strict grading system, covering the entire kindergarten to elementary school graduation reading path in the U.S.. At the PTA meeting, parents also had a clearer understanding of how to effectively check their children's reading progress on RAZ and how children can be better graded readers. The chairperson also encourages children to follow along, so that children can pay attention to more language details, parents can also know the child's mastery, and parents can also encourage children in the process of following along to enhance motivation and interest.

第二个内容是分级阅读，分级阅读让孩子有挑战性，可以自己操作并且配合教学大纲，但是另一方面，分级阅读语言输入方式单一，文字不够优美而且缺少阅读完整体验。RAZ是深美鼓励的分级阅读系统，它有着非常严密的分级体系，覆盖了美国幼儿园到小学毕业整段阅读进阶路径。家委会上家长们也更清晰的了解如何在RAZ上有效的检验孩子的阅读进度以及孩子们该如何更好的分级阅读。主席也鼓励孩子跟读，可以让孩子注意更多的语言细节，家长也能知道孩子的掌握情况，家长也可以在跟读过程中适当鼓励孩子，提升积极性和兴趣。

There is still a pretty big difference between how RAZ is used in China and America. In Chinese private schools, RAZ is a godsend for pushing English and doing homework. In the United States, RAZ is just one of the tools used to test children's reading, and in public schools, it is usually a way to differentiate learning as well. The president of the PTA is also hoping that China can have more rich and advanced graded readers for children to choose from, so that parents can push the children in a more personalized way!

国内外是如何使用RAZ的，这一点还是有挺大区别的。在中国私立学校，RAZ是推英语和做作业的神器，在美国，RAZ只是用来测试儿童阅读的工具之一，在公立学校，通常也是区分学习的方法。家委会主席也是希望中国可以有更多丰富更先进的分级读物供孩子选择，让家长们可以更个性化的推娃。

0-3 years: Can listen to stories, recognize different books by their covers, and pretend to read.

3-4 years old: Beginning to enter the writing stage, can write simple words and enjoy listening to adults tell stories in books.

4-5 years old: Can write simple sentences, entering the early stage of reading, can understand the basic contents of comic books and can express them in appropriate language.

5-6 years old: Entering the independent reading stage, willing to tell others about books they are familiar with, further enriching their vocabulary, and having initial experience with grammar.

0-3岁：能够聆听故事，能够通过封面认识不同的图书，会假装自己在读书

3-4岁: 开始进入书写阶段，能书写简单的字词，喜欢听成人讲述图书中的故事

4-5岁：能写简单句子，进入阅读初期，能理解连环画的基本内容，可用适当的语言表述出

5-6岁：进入自主阅读阶段，愿意把自己熟悉的图书讲述给别人听，词汇量进一步丰富，有了初步语法经验

Attention:

1. Seize the language sensitivity period

2. Bilingualism doesn't affect grades, but it takes time and a helping hand

3. How to use graded readers to push your child

4. Recognize your child's growth and needs through reading

5. Misalignment of multicultural resources requires joint efforts of families, schools and communities

注意事项：

1.抓住语言敏感期

2.双语并不影响成绩，但需要时间和助力

3.如何利用分级读物推娃

4.通过阅读认识孩子的成长和需求

5.多元文化资源的不对等需要家庭、学校和社区共同努力