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Developing Literacy Through Contemporary Art: Promising Practices for English Language Learners in Social Studies Classrooms

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Teaching the Content Areas to English Language Learners in Secondary Schools

Part of the book series: English Language Education ((ELED,volume 17))

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Abstract

This chapter describes an innovative approach for teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) that incorporates contemporary art in social studies instruction. A model lesson is included that explores the work of contemporary artist Mary Mattingly and has students consider the ecological footprints left by humans as they interact with their environment. ELLs simultaneously develop important academic skills called for by the Common Core State Standards—such as accurately using academic language, engaging in high-level discussions, and refining diverse and creative thinking—while reflecting on their role as “extractive beings.” A university-school partnership that employs curricular interdisciplinarity, relevance to students’ lives, and active learning is described. To achieve these goals, ELL-supportive classroom strategies such as rich visual content, word walls, and scaffolded cooperative learning are utilized and discussed.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Although we are aware that other terms such as “emergent bilinguals” and “culturally and linguistically diverse” learners are currently being used, we’ve opted to use the more traditional, long-standing “English Language Learner” (ELL) for continuity. We recognize “ELL” is less than perfect and endeavor to identify a more precise, inclusive, and asset-focused term in the future.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Teaching and Learning, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Bárbara C. Cruz

  2. South Plantation High School, Broward County Public Schools, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

    Robert W. Bailey

Authors
  1. Bárbara C. Cruz
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  2. Robert W. Bailey
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Correspondence to Bárbara C. Cruz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    Luciana C. de Oliveira

  2. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Kathryn M. Obenchain  & Rachael H. Kenney  & 

  3. State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA

    Alandeom W. Oliveira

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Cruz, B.C., Bailey, R.W. (2019). Developing Literacy Through Contemporary Art: Promising Practices for English Language Learners in Social Studies Classrooms. In: de Oliveira, L.C., Obenchain, K.M., Kenney, R.H., Oliveira, A.W. (eds) Teaching the Content Areas to English Language Learners in Secondary Schools. English Language Education, vol 17. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02245-7_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02245-7_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-02244-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-02245-7

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