Affiliated with the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network
Artist Biography
With humor, movement and practical arts-based strategies, Dr. Jan Abramovitz guides students and teachers alike on a journey into the learning process. As professor emeritus from Portland State University, Mr. A. (as his students call him) brings to the classroom over 35 years experience as a teaching artist, elementary educator and university professor. Drawing upon decades of research into the importance of physical movement to the learning process, Dr. Abramovitz introduces students to the cognitive mechanics and engaging benefits of mindful learning. Teachers have commented that watching Dr. Abramovitz work with the students often gives them a new perspective and valuable insight on both classroom pedagogy as well as individual student behavior. A number of schools have used Dr. Abramovitz’s classroom techniques to augment the requirements of House Bill 3199 mandating daily physical education for elementary students.
Teaching Philosophy
Dance is the language of movement. It is a language that our students already have a vocabulary for. In a similarly accessible manner, Visual Art is grounded in a text of drawing and doodling. The Vibrant Classroom combines these two art forms to engage kinesthetic and visual learners who have difficulty sitting still. It is specifically adapted to the limited spatial constraints of a typical classroom with its desks and chairs. In this manner, it demonstrates the role kinesthetics can play in building a positive, joyful learning community in support of the academic curriculum. In addition, students learn specific techniques for self management, teamwork and community building.
