Using the arts to learn is not a new concept, but in this age of innovation and collaboration our English Language Learners are tasked with not only acquiring English but harnessing those language skills for dynamic work that requires flexibility of the mind. Creating Language seeks to provides opportunities for teachers to incorporate visual arts, dance, music etc. so that English Language Learners can experience and “create” language in an authentic and supportive environment.
Creating Language Incorporates Art with the Purpose of:
- Introducing skills and or topics to ELL students
- Encouraging ELL students to demonstrate their understanding of a skill or topic
- Providing ELL students opportunities to develop their expressive language
This Website Contains:
LESSON PLANS
Creating Language lesson plans for each of the four Language Learning domains, Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening. While each lesson has a domain focus, other domains are incorporated as well to provide a truly integrated learning experience. Lessons are scaffolded to build on students understanding therefore, modeling (i.e. I do, We do, You do) is highly recommended.
Each lesson plan is divided into 5 parts:
1.What Are We Learning?
Skill – Specific skill that the lesson is focused on
Objectives – Student friendly learning goal
Art Form – Examples and descriptions of art forms used in the lesson (see Art Glossary)
2.How Are We Learning?
Lesson Introduction – Helps lay the foundation of a specific skill through the use or analysis of an art form.
Vocabulary & Sentence Frames – Specific vocabulary words and sentences that will help facilitate the students’ understanding of the skill
Thinking Routines – A short sequence of steps that are scaffolded utilizing Bloom’s Taxonomy verbs which help students process the learning of a specific skill.
3.Lets Create!
Steps for creating a piece of art that is a representation of the skill students have been learning
Example pictures of art students will be creating
4. Reflection
Questions to facilitate student reflection of the learning and creating process. Each lesson includes the same set of reflection questions that are leveled (A & B). At least one question from each of the areas (Backward Looking, Inward Looking, Outward Looking & Forward Looking) should be addressed with students in the form of discussion or written response.
5. Rubrics
Sample rubric for the evaluation of the skill (NOT the Art)
OTHER RESOURCES
Art Glossary
Short descriptions of the different art forms that are used in the lesson plans and activities of this website.
Quick Activity Ideas
If you are not looking for a full lesson, there are quick activity ideas to engage students using various art forms while also focusing on a specific language learning skill.
Related Links
Links to websites of other arts integration organizations along with schools and museums visited in Santiago, Chile as part of the creation of this website