Curriculum Overview

State Core and More
DIA will follow the Utah State Core Curriculum and will deliver the academic content in both Spanish and English (see Language Acquisition below). Educational materials and texts used in Mexican elementary schools and contributed by the Mexican Consulate will provide supplemental content to the DIA curriculum. Finally, a rich variety of multicultural materials will be integrated throughout the curriculum to ensure DIA meets its mission to value diversity and prepare cross-culturally aware graduates for leadership roles in our global community.

Instructional Methodologies
Balanced Literacy: DIA will implement the Balanced Literacy model. Daily schedules will include a 90-minute literacy block including: Read Aloud/ Write Aloud; Interactive Reading/ Interactive Writing; Guided Reading/ Guided Writing; Independent Reading/ Independent Writing. Students will be assessed individually and placed in reading groups that maximize their progress. An Apprenticeship Model will be used where teachers scaffold young readers and writers by modeling, providing explicit instruction, guiding students to create original ideas and work, and opportunities to demonstrate their skills independently. Experiential and project-based learning will provide opportunities for students to be hands-on actors in their own educational process.

Language Acquisition and the TWIOP Model
DIA's educational model has been developed with careful consideration of the latest research and best practices in two-way language immersion. Much of this information comes from the Center for Applied Linguistics (www.CAL.org). Developed by the Center for Applied Linguistics, the Two-Way Instruction Observation Protocol (TWIOP model is a research-based adaptation of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model. TWIOP includes detailed procedures for preparation, defining objectives, building background, ensuring comprehensible input, opportunities for students to use learning strategies, scaffolding, and interaction and discussion. DIA teachers will be trained and will implement the TWIOP model to assist students in understanding content in their target languages.

Science and Math
DIA's Science curriculum will follow the State Core and will offer students the opportunity to investigate, explore and problem solve through hands-on activities as well as learn important Science facts and concepts. Likewise, the DIA's Math curriculum will provide students opportunities to sharpen their skills in computation as well as participate in investigative, hands-on problem-solving activities utilizing Math concepts and skills. DIA has selected Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley as the primary source for texts and materials for Math and Science. This publisher provides a blend of traditional and inquiry based Science and Math curriculum in both Spanish and English.