Exchange Program Between Milken and CIM (Colegio Israelita de Mexico) As Part of a Technology Project

Introduction

The Mexican Exchange Program begins each year with a technology project in Spanish III Honors class and continues with an exchange with Milken students and the intermediate English class of Colegio Israelita de Mexico. Participant criteria includes Spanish proficiency, academics, extra curricular activities, sense of commitment, and the ability to integrate and work within a group. The technology project inspires students to learn about life values and culture in Mexico and the United States. They improve their writing, reading, and listening skills in Spanish and English. Students in Los Angeles will work with students in Mexico to complete their assignments. They will complete three different stages of the project which culminates in a class presentation:

I. Getting to Know You
II. Research on Aspects of the Mexican Culture
III. New Business

Unique goals for Milken

At the end of the program students from Milken will:

• Create a strong and deep connection with Jews in the Diaspora and will understand its importance

• Be motivated to understand Mexican values, lifestyle and culture

• Improve their oral, writing, reading and listening skills in Spanish

• Establish long lasting friendships with students of a Hispanic background

• Have evaluated pieces of art of important Mexican artists

• Have learned how a class is conducted in a private Mexican school and have participated in discussions

• Have compared how Reform and Conservative Jews in Mexico and in Los Angeles are distinctive

• Have done community service at the Eishel old age home in Cuernavaca to give back to their community

Unique Goals For Colegio Israelita De Mexico

At the end of the program students from CIM will:

• Create a strong and deep connection with Jews in the Diaspora and will understand its importance

• Be motivated to understand American values, lifestyle and culture

• Understand the way of life of the American Jewish Community and its traditions

• Improve their oral, writing, reading and listening skills in the English language

• Have learned how a class is conducted in an American private school and have participated in discussions

• Have gained confidence in using technology in class

What needs to be done to reach the goals:

• Select students to participate in a Spanish III H class. In September, students interested in the exchange will sign a contract that observes commitments and requisites.  Students will need to maintain a B+ or a better grade in the project in order to qualify for the exchange. The Spanish III H teacher will evaluate each participant with an additional interview. In Mexico, students in level 400 B English will sign a contract created by CIM. Both teachers will communicate and pair up students. They will start the project in class. During the month of October, CIM students will visit Milken for a week (Thursday to Thursday) and Milken students will visit CIM during the month of February.

Common goals for Milken Community High School Exchange Program and Colegio Israelita de Mexico

• We will be able to realize a meaningful and positive change in the attitudes of the two communities that are involved with the program:

  • In the connection and communication between the students

  • In the connection and communication between the families involved in the program

  • In the connection and communication between the teachers who are involved in the planning and running of the program

• All of the above constituencies understand the meaning of pluralism and will be open to the “other” into their community

• Both communities will share concerns of security in their own society and anti-Semitism issues

• Students will be able to use concepts learned in Language Classes

• Students will discuss the role of Israel in their school and everyday lives

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