Enriching Second Language Learning
Through ENLACE P.S. 90 has a unique dual language
program where English speaking students learn Spanish and
Spanish speaking students receive enrichment in English. The
program is currently in grades K, 1, and 2 and has existed
in our school since the fall of 1998. In September 2001, it
will expand to include the third grade. A bilingual class and a
monolingual class switch teachers and classrooms for 1 - 2
periods per day depending on the grade level. The English
speaking students study Spanish and the Spanish speaking
students expand their English language skills. The students are
exposed to second language learning and different cultural
activities through thematic units. The teachers have
received special training in second language acquisition
methodologies. ENLACE is funded by a Title VII grant from
the Federal Government which enables the program to purchase
many valuable educational materials and resources to support
meaningful activities in the second language. For example,
this spring ENLACE will provide an authentic artist who will
work with the first and second grades. Students and parents
have expressed tremendous enthusiasm and support for this
innovative form of language
learning.
Project ENLACE enriches
second language learning through a series of art workshops
with a professional artist, Gustavo Asto. Grade 2 ENLACE
students studied Pablo Picasso and learned specific art
techniques for drawing and painting faces. As a final
project, students will create self-portraits in the style of
Picasso. Gustavo taught us about painting.
We learned about Pablo Picasso. He made a lot of paintings.
Mrs. Levin showed us books with many of his paintings. We
studied his "Blue Period". This was when he felt sad because
his friend died. He started painting sad pictures using only
blue colors. Some were dark blue and some were lighter blue.
After the Blue Period, Picasso fell in love and began
painting in rose colors. This is when the Blue Period ended
and the Rose Period began. Gustavo took blue and white paint
and mixed them together to make shades of blue. We learned
how to mix paints and how to draw different parts of our
faces. These are pictures of ourselves in
the Blue Period. My favorite part was when Gustavo taught us
how to make the shape of our heads like an egg (Mathew). My
favorite part was when we first started to work with paint
(Andrew). by Mathew and Andrew
