All sessions are scheduled into rooms at the Convention Center unless otherwise noted. The presenters, elementary ESOL teachers, will give an overview of a program they are piloting to improve literacy skills for their young students. The project is a partnership between ESOL teachers, museum educators, artists, and storytellers to train English language learners to interpret cultural artifacts and develop a classroom museum. This demonstration presents a technique for stimulating critical thinking in writing through the use of pictures. The compositions of secondary ESL students illustrate the range of responses that are possible with this technique.
Participants receive practical guidelines for using pictures as prompts for cultural interpretation.
The presenter demonstrates how to effectively use art in language classes. Discussion includes tips on how teachers can use the works of famous painters such as the Wyeths, Chalfant, and Pippin to help learners build vocabulary, understand characterization, compare-contrast, and write informal letters. Sample letters provided. Meeting Room 232 Singable picture books combine many elements for effective L2 learning. Come to sing, smile, and generally have fun, while experiencing literacy resources that help elementary ESOL students enjoy learning English.