The students in Jennifer Golonka’s dance class are beginning to choreograph in small groups. They invent movements and spatial pathways using language to negotiate and problem solve as they work. The dance-making provides an authentic opportunity for the students to communicate, and the supportive collaboration provides a safe space to try something new.
Sarah is a 5th grade advanced English Language Learner at PS 20Q. She is an eager student, but one who is still developing academically. In dance, she finds a creative outlet where she builds a strong artistic voice and grows into a leader among her peers.
The first goal of teaching artist Chris Heller’s theater residency at P.S. 239Q is to create a safe space for 4th and 5th grade ELLS to take risks in theater. Through scaffolded warm-up activities students progress through silent, physical warm-ups, to games in which they’re asked to say just one word or sound, to eventually […]
Mei-Yin Ng has been teaching Traditional Chinese Dance and Creative Movement at PS 20Q for 8 years. This combination of forms is essential to her identity as a Teaching Artist working with a diverse community of students that includes many English Language Learners.
Jia-Xing is a first year English Language Learner at PS 20 in Queens. He is also a naturally gifted dancer. We see how, through his engagement with Teaching Artist Mei-Yin’s dance unit, his command of the English language greatly improves, and he becomes a leader among his peer group.
Students in Ms. Sarantakis’ 3rd/4th grade class are learning how to perform and create a movement canon. Three students – all beginner English Language Learners, and each of whom speaks a different first language – must work together to create a movement phrase and perform it in a canon. The boys use English, gestures and […]
A 5th grade student at PS 19Q is a new arrival to the country and a beginner English Language Learner. She is learning to make dances and to speak English at the same time. Teaching Artist Jen Golonka’s Tool Box of Dance elements provides visual language support, while classmates serve as translators and collaborators.
ArtsConnection’s DELLTA program (Developing English Language Literacy Through the Arts) has delivered positive results showing “significant” progress made by DELLTA students as compared to those who did not participate in the program. link
ArtsConnection is a 501(c)(3) organization.
EIN: 13-2953240
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