Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Arts and Creativity
Arts and Creativity
The current structure/design of our schools – from the actual buildings and
school grounds to policies, procedures, curriculum and schedules – actually
acts as a deterrent to creativity.
We know what children need; yet we do not create the change required in order
to provide the context and support for developing 21st century skills or multiple
literacies. Our schools remain firmly in the factory model paradigm – no
creativity allowed!
Setting the stage for developing literacies of the Arts and Creativity involve
intentional design of the physical learning environment, the emotional
environment, scheduling, organization and implementation of curriculum and
instruction, and attention to the body and the brain!
What can we do to provide children with what they need as we also continue to
push for real change? Thankfully, there are things that teachers can do –
provided they also have the support of the campus and district administrators,
and the parents.
Note: these assessments are not something students will do in or two class
periods, but are final performances, or products, which demonstrate
and celebrate what they have learned throughout all (or a significant portion of)
their project-based curriculum unit. In the meantime, you can conduct simple,
quick formative assessments, mainly through close teacher observation.
10. Preparing the Body and Brain for Creativity - offer students (and
faculty) opportunities such as yoga, tai chi, ballet, jazz, pilates . . .
Web Site - Project-Based Learning Themes – a small, but growing, web site
with suggestions for various PBL themes and topics as well as recommended
resources and activities. Subscribe at no charge.
Video - Even if you’ve seen it before, this very powerful TED Talk is
excellent. “Are schools killing creativity?” by Sir Ken Robinson.
Connecting to Nature - these are listed for families, but most of them can be
done at school! On Richard Louv's web site. If you haven't seen it, his
book Last Child in the Woods is an invaluable resource for parents, educators
and community members.
Drumming Classes - students and teachers love them, and they are excellent
stress reducers. The Youth Villages Inner Harbour has West African Drumming
classes for their students. They are invorating and fun for everyone!
Behavioral problems are drastically reduced, even for students with severe
behavioral and emotional challenges. Just "Google" drumming for schools.
Don't just hire someone to come in to do a workshop, get someone on staff to
hold regular classes. Read this article and see the images for other amazing
ways this school fully integrates the arts into their curriculum! They have yoga
classes, too!
Parents and Community Members - these people are a veritable gold mine,
and would love to contribute, so use them! You can find qualified volunteers to
come to your school a hour a day to teach a class on yoga, pilates, ballet and
jazz, Tai Chi or West African Drumming.