Students who are not designated as Fluent English Proficient by the State of California are often unable to enroll in electives. In many cases, they are enrolled in additional English or English Language Development (ELD) courses to support their success in passing the state required ELPAC test (English Language Proficiency Assessment for California). This session presents the development of an ELD course that music educators can teach where students spend time responding to music, learning the basics of composition, and have the opportunity to learn vocal/instrumental performance techniques as available. It is designed to engage these students through their current interests in music while supporting their progress toward ELPAC proficiency with regular written and oral work.The presenter will outline the full course creation process, share the challenges encountered, and provide access to all instructional materials for those interested in adapting the model for their own districts.
Target Audience
Music Educators with multilingual populations
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Erik Ohlson
Erik J. Ohlson teaches music in Santa Rosa City Schools. As the Part Time Visual and Performing Arts Teacher on Special Assignment, he supports arts programs across 26 schools. Previously, he helped write the CDE grant that secured funding for instruments and materials for every 4th, 5th, and 6th grade student to have dedicated weekly music classes. He has also developed music curriculum based on the music families sing in their homes, a Mariachi Ethnic Studies course, and is working to pilot a course in Academic/English Language Development through music. He regularly presents at state and national conferences on using the arts to connect with student cultures and dismantle systemic barriers. When he is not teaching, he enjoys hiking and learning new instruments with his family