As teachers, we expect our students to know how to focus, concentrate and pay attention in class. But we don’t usually teach them how.

With humor, movement and practical arts-based strategies, Dr. Jan Abramovitz guides students and teachers alike on a journey into the learning process. 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.

The residency starts with a developmentally appropriate overview of brain anatomy. Using song, games and hands-on activities, students are introduced to the shape and function of different parts of the brain. This initial exploration becomes the touchstone for the residency that students return to and build upon in subsequent sessions. Drawing on curriculum from Brain Gym (Dennison), Brain Dance (Gilbert) and Ideokinesis (Sweigard), students are guided to explore the interface between their physical body, self space and stillness. They are then immersed in collaborative and team building activities to solve kinesthetic and visual problems. Through these activities, students gain specific tools and awareness that they can use to self regulate behavior as well as develop focus and attention. A highlight of this residency are optional after school “de-brief” sessions with Dr. Abramovitz where teachers have an opportunity to reflect upon the day’s workshops and learn additional arts based strategies.

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.

This program offered by: Jan Abramovitz