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Project GOTCHA
Model applied to Accelerated Language Acquisition
Academic Excellence
Program
Title of project/program: Project Galaxies of
Thinking and Creative Heights of Achievements for Accelerated
English Language Development.
Project GOTCHA offers an alternative solution
to school system that wish to offer their English Language
Learners access to an accelerated English Language Program.
Project GOTCHA operates as a program that
combines accelerated English language learning with critical
thinking, creative problem solving, synthesis and evaluation, divergent thinking, creativity, emphasis on visual and performing arts, technology, content-based learning using multiple
intelligences, with thematic and interdisciplinary units and
most important, product and performance based assessment.
Target Group: English Language Learners and
linguistically and culturally diverse students.
Program Goals:
To provide opportunities for growth and rapid
development in English.
To develop skills appropriate to higher level
thinking processes, i.e., analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
To provide a learning environment unique to
the needs of the individual that will foster self-motivation,
initiative, responsibility, and independence.
To provide a multimedia and multidisciplinary
approach to encourage creativity
To provide opportunities for students to
interact and work cooperatively, promoting a better
understanding of the unique talents and abilities of people
with different cultural and experiential backgrounds.
To provide a learning climate conducive to the
development of awareness and evaluation of self.
To guide the students in the development of
leadership skills.
To develop research skills.
To expose a hierarchy of techniques for
development of problem solving.
Instructional Component
The program serves identified ELL/ LEP students
for:
five hours a week at the elementary level.
At the middle school level, instruction is
provided through daily program ESL classes.
The major characteristics, which
differentiate the GOTCHA program from others:
emphasis on the accelerated development of
the English Language using the unique creative abilities
of each child,
use of curriculum and materials, which
have been designed, and field tested to integrate higher
level cognitive skills, oral and cultural awareness.
lessons are designed to include the
following: (a) language proficiency levels, (b) variety of
learning styles, (c) multiple levels of achievement, (d)
degree of cognitive challenge, (e) creative strands, (f)
process and product-based, and (g) alternative assessment,
(h) critical thinking (Bloom’s Taxonomy), and (i )
self-evaluation.
The delivery is a priority for the success of
the program.
Teachers are trained in the delivery as well
as the content of the curriculum.
The focus is to empower teachers to extend the
existing ESL curriculum by training them to apply the
techniques used in the GOTCHA Model.
The teachers are trained to view the
curriculum as a springboard from where they can expand, create
and elaborate.
Resource Guides and Curriculums
Elementary
The GOTCHA ESL Elementary Resource Guide is used
in grades K-5.
The units incorporate ESL techniques,
language acceleration,
creative thinking,
cultural awareness,
higher level thinking skills, and
independent activities.
Topics covered in the units include:
Performing Arts,
Visual Arts,
Future World,
Media Production,
Communications,
Computers,
Archaeology,
Astronomy and
Poetry.
Bibliographies and reproducible worksheets
are included for teacher use.
Secondary
The GOTCHA ESL Secondary Curriculum guide is
used in grades 6-8; and can be incorporated into appropriate
content areas in grades 9-12.
The units incorporate ESL techniques,
language acceleration,
creative thinking,
cultural awareness,
higher level thinking skills, and
independent activities.
Topics covered in the units include:
Letter Writing,
Composition,
Origin and History of English,
Speech,
Poetry,
Mythology,
Folklore,
Tall Tales,
Newspaper, and
Media Production.
Technology has been integrated throughout these
lesson plans.
Parent Component
Parental involvement is an important aspect of
the GOTCHA program. The goals of the program are explained to
the parents. Activities to motivate creativity and English
language development at home are included, and parent
responsibilities are listed. Parents are provided with a Parent
Manual that contains information with regard to raising ELL
children and suggestions and activities to make the home a
learning and loving environment. The goal of this is to
establish a valuable link between home and school.
Staff Development Component
This component is essential to the success of
the program implementation.
Specialized training is provided for
administration, guidance counselor, teachers, teacher aides and
all involved in the implementation of the program. A Program
Implementation Guide is provided to each teacher. This
Guide is a valuable tool for the GOTCHA teacher to
implement the program, and how to evaluate student progress.
Replication Process
Project GOTCHA provides teachers and school
districts with the necessary training and materials to replicate
the model at their site. The project’s consultants recommend
that all requests for adoption of the program are discussed
independently. Selection criteria for replication are based on a
need analysis provided by the consultants. Limitations for
replication are based on target population. Schools must serve
LEP or ELL students in order to qualify.
Materials are provided with training to ensure
quality and reliability of implementation. Materials are
assessed with a fee for duplication.
Replication cost is determined by size of
school/district.
GOTCHA Implementation Package: (2-year minimum
follow-up contract is required and serves a school of 400
students and 25-30 teachers) includes:
Needs Assessment Analysis
Faculty Awareness (30 minutes to 60 minutes)
Teachers implementing GOTCHA (1 day training)
Administration/guidance counselors/support
staff (2.5 hours)
CD with Instructional Materials and
Implementation Guide (per teacher)
Evaluation Report at the end of the 2nd year
of implementation
Unlimited support via e-mail/phone
Training of contact person on data collection
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