Outside the Box – Ashley Bleeker
Renascence School International is a trilingual immersion school that supports students’ growth through multicultural education. The three languages spoken at RSI are Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and English. Each language has 2 events throughout the school year that are celebrated in class that are major events in the culture those languages are apart of.
Recently in class, students celebrated Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is an important holiday in the Mexican tradition. This event is marked by the creation of ofrendas, which would be an alter in honor of the deceased. They are typically decorated with photos, items, and the favorite foods of the deceased to honor them. Students also enjoyed in-class activities, such as eating sweet bread and sipping on Mexican hot chocolate, and themed crafts!
The educational format at RSI, is informed by an understanding of the cultural importance found within each language. Our curriculum is designed to introduce students to the foundational elements of the language as well as the context behind it. This provides a richer understanding for students beyond simple memorization of language elements. It engages students in their ability to empathize, stretching them beyond their own way of thinking, as they enter into a different culture. This has proved valuable in both the learning outcomes of our students and their social awareness.
