Right Brained Teaching for Creative Classrooms

ABMP School Issues Forum Austin, 2012

RIGHT BRAINED TEACHING FOR

CREATIVE CLASSROOMS

Session Goals:

• Define art-based learning

• Discuss benefits of bringing art-based learning into classrooms

• Identify one art-based learning activity to use next week

Art-based learning uses learner art-

making as a means for promoting learning in

non-arts subjects.

Art-Based Learning Models

• Local community centers

• Whole school projects • Classroom instruction • Teacher development • Special learner

populations • Business management • Business teams

Research Results

• Improved relationships and cooperation • Increased learner participation and engagement• Improved teacher quality of instruction• Increased self-esteem and willingness to try new things • Improved creativity, problem solving, and complex thinking • Increased self-assessment, organization, and planning skills • Improved higher-order thinking skills

Higher-Order Thinking Skills

• Critical thinking • Creative thinking

ABMP Instructors on the Front Lines Teaching Critical and Creative Thinking Skills to Massage

Students

Thinking tools are learned (or innate) approaches to thinking that are necessary for higher-order thinking.

1. Observing 2. Generating Ideas 3. Asking Questions 4. Connecting 5. Solving Problems 6. Transforming and

Synthesizing

Transforming and Synthesizing Defined: The process of internalizing new information by linking it to prior experience and knowledge, translating it into your own language, and then presenting the knowledge in a different way.

Art-Based Learning Examples

• Visual Dialogues • Writing Activities • Dance and

Embodiment• Theatre Activities • Music Activities • Installations

Visual Dialogues

• Collages • Photography• Painting • Posters • Art Objects

Poster Projects and Shows

Be true to you. In the words of Allen Ginsberg: “Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.”

Project Goals Organize time Think creatively Communicate a

clear message

Effective Posters Focus on a single

message Act as a source of

information Let graphics tell

most of the storyServe as effective

conversation starters

POSTER PROJECT AND SHOWS

Massage for Special

Populations Massage for

Condition Management

Massage and the Environment

Massage Making a Difference

POSTER PROJECTS AND SHOWS

Pick a Theme

Guidelines Posters must be 18

X 24 inches in size Provide a 150-250

word typed description expressing the inspiration behind the poster.

Judging Criteria Your poster will be

judged on originality, clarity, relevance, clarity of the poster’s message, and use of graphics.

POSTER PROJECT AND SHOWS

Plan a Show

Psychology of Touch Project

Project Goals Recognize the role

of touch in life Identify touch

histories Recognize that

clients have touch histories

Directions Create an art object

that represents your touch history and current relationship to touch

Prepare 200-300 word typed description of your inspiration for the project

PSYCHOLOGY OF TOUCH PROJECT

Your Turn!

What types of visual dialogues are you currently using in

your massage classrooms?

Writing Projects

• Free Writing • Journaling • Poetry • E-books

Uses Wake up thinkingWarm up before an

exam Develop comfort with

writing Bypass an inner critic Discover new ideasCapture feelings in a

moment

Directions Give students a topic

Example: Think about how your body feels now that you have received a massage – write about these feelings and any thoughts that come up.

Direct students to write non-stop for 10-15 minutes

Share some of their thoughts in a group discussion

FREE WRITING

Your Turn!

What types of writing projects are you

currently using in your massage

classrooms?

DanceMovement Activities Embodied Art

Body Thinking

Reenactment

Your Turn!

What types of movement, dance, or

embodied art projects do you

currently use in your massage

classrooms?

• Music • Rhythm• Sound • Song

Dance Massage

Do you currently use music, rhythm,

sounds or songs as part of your

teaching?

Your Turn!

Theatre-Based Activities • Skits • Role-playing • Reenactment• Videos

Data Geek

Empath Pessimist

Optimist Doer Manager

Six Views Activity

Your Turn!

What do you think about the Six Views

activity? Where might it be useful in

your curriculum?

The Animal Game

Do you have issues with learners excluding

others?

How do you address the issue now?

Do you see the Animal Game as a useful way to

frame topics of exclusion?

Your Turn!

Installations

Massage History Timeline

Human Installation

HUMAN INSTALLATIONS

Uses Gives closure Body learning Collective

experience Requires teamworkCreates lasting

impression of learning

Directions Give learners

warning at the beginning of the class

Leave the room – allow students 15-20 minutes

Take pictures

Your Turn!

You have 15 minutes to dialogue and plan an

installation that captures something that you learned here today .

Around the Room What is the most important thing you’ll take home with

you as a result of our sessions today?

THANK YOU!