At Columbine Elementary School, an exciting initiative is empowering young learners to excel academically while embracing the richness of bilingualism. Spearheaded by second-grade teacher Jamie Schroeder, The Excel Learning Club is designed for students in grades three through five, offering them a unique platform to enhance their language skills and broaden their educational horizons. Meeting every Tuesday after school for an engaging hour, the Excel Learning Club encourages students to develop strong literacy foundations in both English and Spanish, setting them on a path to potentially earn the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation. This esteemed award from St. Vrain Valley Schools recognizes graduating students who demonstrate high proficiency in English and at least one additional language, marking a significant achievement in their academic journey. Currently, around ten enthusiastic students are active participants in this enriching after-school program.
“The Excel Learning Club was born from the inspiration of our district’s K-3 Biliteracy Program,” explains Schroeder. “We are passionate about fostering a love for lifelong learning in two languages, extending this journey throughout high school and beyond. The Seal of Biliteracy is a highly respected recognition of this dedication, and it represents a valuable goal we encourage all our students to strive for.”
The Excel Learning Club employs an innovative cross-language methodology, skillfully leveraging tools such as cognates – words sharing similarities across languages – to forge meaningful connections between English and Spanish. The core philosophy of the Excel Learning Club is to demonstrate to students that acquiring a second language is not an entirely unfamiliar endeavor, but rather a natural extension of their existing knowledge base. “I frequently illustrate new concepts in both languages, highlighting the fascinating parallels and differences between them,” Schroeder elaborates. “For instance, capitalization rules vary between English and Spanish, and we delve into the reasons behind these variations, promoting deeper understanding and critical thinking.”
Schroeder’s overarching objective for the Excel Learning Club is to cultivate balanced proficiency in both languages among her students, fostering an appreciation for their bilingual capabilities as invaluable assets in an increasingly globalized world. Each session within the Excel Learning Club is carefully structured, commencing with the introduction of concepts in Spanish before seamlessly transitioning to English explanations. This pedagogical approach ensures comprehensive understanding of each concept before students apply their knowledge across both languages, reinforcing their learning and boosting their confidence.
Parents have voiced enthusiastic support for the Excel Learning Club, expressing deep gratitude for the enriching opportunity it provides their children to flourish academically and personally in a bilingual environment. According to Schroeder, the Excel Learning Club also serves as a bridge for stronger parental engagement in their children’s education, particularly by providing access to educational resources translated into both languages, making learning more accessible and inclusive for families.
“Our district has thoughtfully integrated a biliteracy component into the ReadyGen curriculum, specifically designed to support students from kindergarten through third grade,” Schroeder notes. “With the potential adoption of new math resources on the horizon, parents will soon have an even wider array of tools at their fingertips to actively support their children’s learning journey at home, in both languages.”
Looking to the future, Schroeder envisions the Excel Learning Club leaving a lasting positive imprint on its students. “My aspiration is for them to feel empowered to confidently utilize both languages in every facet of their lives,” she shares. “I sincerely hope they remain dedicated to achieving their Seal of Biliteracy in high school and become inspiring advocates for bilingualism, encouraging others to embrace it as a powerful strength.”
