DELLTA Model

DELLTA utilizes the collaborative artistic process to build language skills for Multilingual Learners.
 

What is DELLTA?

The DELLTA (Developing English Language Literacy through the Arts) Model was developed over 15 years through 4 successive grants from the US Department of Education. Through our work with teachers and artists, we articulated a model for teaching and learning in the arts that supports Multilingual Learners (MLs) to work, think and communicate like artists.

 
A student uses an iPad to film three other students while they dance. The students have their arms extended at their sides as they step forward with their left legs.
https://www.youtube.com/embed//hVAEEydKSkI
 
 

How does DELLTA work?

DELLTA explores teaching and learning in the arts and how it relates to language learning. Professional Development for teachers is intertwined with arts residencies for students leading to a greater impact on student learning.

DELLTA
For Students
 
Two students are standing in an auditorium smiling. One student has her hands raised as if she is stretching.
DELLTA programs are in-school dance and theater residencies for ML students in grades 3-8. In the 15-20 session residencies, teaching artists & classroom teachers collaborate to create arts classes where students have the opportunity to create original dance & theater pieces while also practicing their English language skills. Residencies are highly collaborative and support the needs of students at all levels of language learning. There is extensive reflection as students engage in formative assessment practices and create a digital portfolio of their artistic process, which they pres
Artmaking
DELLTA
For Teachers
 
Five teachers are in a tableau in a school classroom. All have their arms extended in various directions. One person is kneeling, two are lunging, and two are standing straight.
Classroom teachers attend a series of professional development sessions where they experience the art forms as their students will, engaging in dance and theater learning and creating their own portfolios.

Teachers also collaborate with each other in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), where they pursue action research. First, they observe their students, develop inquiry questions, and gather evidence. Teachers study this evidence and discuss their findings with colleagues in their PLCs, developing and implementing strategies to improve teaching and learning which they
Professional Learning Communities
 
 

DELLTA: A Brief History

 
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