U-46 dual language teacher uses positivity, movement to engage students

Zuni Bloomer believes in starting the school day on a positive note.

Affirmations and movement are a big part of how she engages her students.

"In class, we start out with a positive affirmation video. We listen, repeat, recall and do a movement along with each phrase, (such as) 'I make each day better than yesterday,'" said Bloomer, 45, of Elgin, who teaches a fifth-grade dual language class at Timber Trails Elementary School in Hoffman Estates.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Bloomer has taught preschool through high school for 14 years, nine at Elgin Area School District U-46.

As schools pivoted to remote learning due to the pandemic, Bloomer aimed to create a less stressful online classroom environment focused on being "safe, respectful, and responsible."

"The first week of school in class we created expectations of what that looks like during distance learning, which we revisit as needed," she said.

"We watch funny videos to take brain breaks throughout the day, guided dance, exercise, games or share jokes. We also make up silly songs to the tune of popular songs, such as singing 'Let it load, let it load' to the tune of 'Let it go' when our screen is taking a long time to load."

A key teaching strategy Bloomer uses is the Total Physical Response (TPR) approach, coordinating a physical activity with oral language. Students use facial and body expressions to make relationships with language. It's a time-honored method to teaching language, she said.

"For example, we were talking about hyperbole and we said that is an exaggeration ... we make like voices ... we involve the whole body into it," she said.

"We use that particular strategy to get everybody involved doing those movements, and it helps them remember and make a connection with the topic or the words that we're particularly learning at the moment."

Bloomer's teaching philosophy is to make learning fun and creative for students.

"I believe in creating a relaxed environment when you're going to teach," she said. "Especially now that we can be very tense, or things might be happening at home and you might not be in the environment that is maybe suitable for you at the moment."

After struggling herself with learning the online platform used for teaching, Bloomer sought to make it easier for students and parents to navigate.

"I wanted to make it look kid-friendly, so when they go to my homepage it will be welcoming for my students and it will be easy for them to manage," she said.

With the challenges of Zoom learning, Bloomer sets aside time for movement breaks during transitions allowing students to step away from their computers. At times, she has them run around the house or do jumping jacks.

In fifth grade, dual language is taught 50% in Spanish and 50% in English.

Bloomer teaches six weeks of language arts in Spanish, then switches to six weeks in English. Social studies and science are taught in English and math is taught in Spanish.

U-46's dual language program prepares students for bi-literacy and competency in English and Spanish starting in kindergarten through 12th grade. Data shows dual language students in second through eighth grades outperformed the nationwide norm in reading and math.

"They develop a sense of cultural awareness, they are increasing their cognitive and problem-solving skills, (and) protecting their brains against Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairments," Bloomer said.

"Students in our dual language program come from beautiful, multicultural diverse backgrounds. I have seen how challenging it is for some families that do not speak the language. We always encourage families to support their children in the language they know and let us do the rest in the classroom, where the magic begins to happen."

Curriculum vitae: Zuni Bloomer

Name: Zuni Bloomer

Age: 45

Hometown: Elgin

Experience: Fifth-grade dual language teacher at Timber Trails Elementary School in Hoffman Estates. Previously taught dual language in kindergarten through first grade at Glenbrook and Hanover Countryside elementary schools, both in Streamwood, and Illinois Park and Creekside elementary schools, both in Elgin.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, Universidad Nacional Evangélica, Santiago, Dominican Republic; ESL/bilingual endorsement, Illinois State University; ESL master’s degree, Concordia University Chicago.

Favorite quote: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin