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The DREAM Classroom
This module introduces you to the general layout of summer camp and expectations for the camp structure.
Overview of Summer Camp
DREAM summer camp is focused on ensuring that students ages 8-15, many of whom are below grade level in reading and math, achieve significant academic growth in reading and math during the four weeks of intensive instruction that comprise summer camp.
In order to reach this goal DREAM focuses on three primary objectives (1) Providing quality instruction for our students and developing their life skills, (2) Training local teachers and students of education in best instructional practices, and (3) Developing cross-cultural skills in our local and international volunteers which allow them to work effectively as a team.
So, is it school or summer camp?
The answer is both and neither. In the U.S., typical summer camps engage students in fun activities that allow them to build skills beyond academic skills (reading, writing, and arithmetic).
To achieve the goals of summer camp, our work in the classrooms spans academic and socio-emotional facets of the participating children’s lives. Both aspects are important and guide our work; therefore, we want to make sure that as we value academic endeavors (reading, math instruction), we also foster fun, safe, and engaging environment where children can be develop as children and enjoy, play, sing. These two aspects don’t need to be (and shouldn't be!) mutually exclusive.
What characterizes the DREAM classroom?
The DREAM classroom emphasizes student-centered pedagogies and strategies. We believe in fostering as much student participation and involvement in classroom activities as possible, starting with inquiry-driven lessons that are relevant and speak to students’ lives and futures.
The DREAM classroom, like most classrooms in the Dominican Republic, is also a very flexible place where resourcefulness is a way of life. Making do without Internet access and sometimes even without electricity is a key expectation. Handwriting materials and having students copying down information is often necessary.
What does DREAM expect from the PD Coaches?
Teaching
During camp, the PD Coaches work with a cooperating Dominican teacher (most likely an education student at a university) to teach the academic portions of the summer program – literacy and math skills. The goal is for PD Coaches to model best practices in learner-centered instruction for the cooperating teacher. It is key for both the PD Coach and the cooperating teacher to work together in teaching and share responsibility. By the end of the second week, the cooperating teacher should be doing at least half of instruction, and more than half of instruction during the last two weeks of camp with the PD Coach providing support and guidance.
Planning and resources
Planning for summer camp classes happens during a planning period during each tanda (see schedule below). While some planning can take place outside of school, working with the cooperating teacher would be pretty limited outside of school. Resources for school include shop paper, markers, crayons, and books from our library. Technology access is generally not available. Copies are limited to two handouts per week per classroom for class sets.
Coaching
As mentioned in the teaching portion, the larger role of the PD Coach is to model instructional strategies for the cooperating teachers and help the teachers as they develop teaching skills. Strategies for coaching the cooperating teachers include modeling, co-teaching, and observation/debriefs. We encourage PD Coaches to do as much of the planning and teaching as possible together with the cooperating teacher. By the same token, we greatly discourage the PD Coach to do most of the planning and teaching on their own without coordinating with the cooperating teacher.
Below you can find some great readings that deal with the coach/teacher relationship. These are all very short and quick reads but very helpful from The Mentoring Leadership Resources Network at http://www.mentors.net/articles.php.
In the Overview of Mentoring section:
"Collaboration through peer coaching and mentoring"
In the Information for mentors and about mentoring practices section:
"What distinguishes a mentor?"
"Expert versus Novice Teacher"
"Advice to Beginning Mentors"
"Testimonial: A mentor reflects"
"A thin chalk line"
"Lessons from mentors in cross-grade and cross-subject settings"
What is the schedule for the summer program?
Orientation
Summer programming begins with a weeklong orientation for all staff that allows them to become familiar with staff responsibilities, expectations, and different policies and procedures. Two of these days will be dedicated for classroom preparation. Think of this week as “back to school” where you’ll have some PD and some time in your classroom to accommodate your materials.
First week of camp
The first week of camp is very intense and flexibility is key. It involves identifying student reading levels (based on previously given assessments) and math levels (tested during the first week of camp). There are expectations for setting norms and building classroom procedures with students, so bring your best ideas! There is also a Desfile that ends the week, celebrates camp, and introduces the community to the DREAM staff.
What is the theme for summer camp?
This year’s summer camp is based around Social Justice. While we will discuss the theme in greater detail during orientation, you’re welcome to think of resources you might want to bring with you to use in reference to the theme. In preparation, you might want to do some reading around issues in the Dominican Republic that can spark conversations about social justice.
What is a typical summer camp day like?
The following is a sample schedule for the tanda (session). There are two tandas each day with some time for lunch in between. Lunch takes place at your site, so please plan to be on site the entire day.
Camp assembly
All staff and kids gather to talk about the theme and get pumped for the start of the day
Drop Everything and Read
(Para todo y lea)
EVERYONE (staff and kids alike) reads for a period of 20 minutes (bring your favorite book(s)!)
Academic Period
Group lessons on reading or math
Academic Period
Learning stations on reading or math skills based on group lessons
Extracurricular activity
Art, music, physical education, or camp theme-based class
There will be staff to teach the extracurricular time, so this will be your planning time.
Closing activity
Academic assistants lead a fun activity before students are dismissed.
For more on what a typical DREAM classroom looks like and further explanations of learning stations, Drop Everything and Read, and the goals of summer camp, please take a look at the following video:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3gowy5sdiipnfsf/training%20vid-.mp4?dl=0

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Education in the DR
in DREAM ClassSummer Camp
DREAM Summer Camp Curriculum
PD Coach responsibilities and tools

Education in the DR
Typical Day in DREAM Class
DREAM Summer Camp Curriculum
PD Coach responsibilities and tools

At the end, please share reflective thoughts on what you have learned, what was similar and/or different from what you expected, and what you hope to bring as part of your work with DREAM.
PART I THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
DR are organized into primary and secondary schools. The national system includes a set grade structure that is comprised of one year of pre-school, eight years of primary school, four years of secondary school, and then various universities and technical institutes. Students take national exams in the final grade of both primary school and secondary school in order to graduate. While both private and public schools are available, all levels of basic public school are free.
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PART II CHALLENGES
Take a look at theThe following video below forprovides some general statistics.statistics about challenges to the education system in the Dominican Republic.
As you system is in need due international standards (SERCE),(TERCE), Dominican children AND YOUTH
UNICEF IN D.R.
Some key community life aspects heavily influencing education performance include poverty, malnutrition, early entry into the workforce, and lack of documentation. The following UNICEF overview http://www.unicef.org/republicadominicana/english/children.htmlwill help you see how these factors play into the schooling of children and youth; please read the four page links.
http://www.unicef.org/republicadominicana/english/children.html
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OTHER INFO
Below you may find additional information on education in the Dominican Republic:
Ministerio de Educación - http://www.minerd.gob.do/Pages/inicio.aspx
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (info on education achievement and literacy) - http://www.uis.unesco.org/DataCentre/Pages/country-profile.aspx?code=DOM&regioncode=40520
Results of a comparative study for Latin America (DR compared to other Latin American countries) - http://www.minerd.gob.do/documentosminerd/ResultadosComparado.pdf
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION
What did you learn? Share your thoughts in the discussion below.

Education in the Dominican Republic
Education in the Dominican Republic, as in every nation, intends to prepare children and young adults to participate in a democratic society and contribute to their families and communities. Unfortunately, education is one of the most struggling sectors in the Dominican Republic. This module will give an overview of three components of education in the DR:
- TheThe education system
- Challenges
Challenges to educational achievement
- The
The lives of the end, we hope that you willplease share yourreflective thoughts on what you have learned, what was similar and/or different from what you expected, and what you hope to bring as part of your work with DREAM.
PART I THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
Schools in the DR are
PART II CHALLENGES
Take a look at the video below for some general statistics.
As you can see from the video, the system is need due to lacking facilities/infrastructure, teachers and teacher education, and time for quality instruction. By both Dominican (Pruebas Nacionales) and international standards (SERCE), Dominican children are severely underperforming.
PART III THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH
UNICEF overview http://www.unicef.org/republicadominicana/english/children.html
AdditionalBelow you may find additional information on
Ministerio de Educación - http://www.minerd.gob.do/Pages/inicio.aspx
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (info on education achievement and literacy) - http://www.uis.unesco.org/DataCentre/Pages/country-profile.aspx?code=DOM&regioncode=40520
your thoughts in the discussion below.

- Challenges to educational achievement
- The lives of children and youth in and out of school
your thoughts
Take a look at the video below for some general statistics.
severely underperforming.
UNICEF overview http://www.unicef.org/republicadominicana/english/children.html
Additional information on education in the Dominican Republic:
Ministerio de Educación - http://www.minerd.gob.do/Pages/inicio.aspx
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (info on education achievement and literacy) - http://www.uis.unesco.org/DataCentre/Pages/country-profile.aspx?code=DOM&regioncode=40520
your thoughts below
[[include component="comments" page="page:Education in the DR" limit="20" ]]below.