W. Babylon ESL Students Take Part in Summer Tech Camp

The West Babylon School District recently offered its annual Summer Tech Camp for English language learners.

The two-week program was designed to give ESL students entering grades one through six an opportunity to enhance their learning by building background knowledge, academic vocabulary and fluency on the unfamiliar topic of aviation.

The camp also provided a platform for students to enhance their technology skills. This year, students explored the ways in which flight has impacted society.

They worked to compare and contrast planes and flight throughout history, as well as explored flight as a metaphor for success. They also employed technology such as iPads, digital cameras and Flip cameras to document the experience, and their photos were used throughout the camp to build vocabulary and develop fluency.

As a follow-up session to a recent Republic Airport visit, American Airlines pilot Glenn Schaffer visited the students at Tooker Avenue Elementary School.

Donning his captain’s uniform, Mr. Schaffer shared with students his experiences in aviation, along with props including model airplanes and a flight helmet. The students then interacted with him during a series of interviews and vocabulary-building exercises.