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ArtsConnect Children's Program

ArtsConnect

Wabi Sabi Way

A six week after school elementary program connecting the arts to each other and      connecting the student to the arts, to themselves, and to the world around them.

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

ArtsConnect is a six week after school program designed for elementary students. The purpose of the program is to allow students to access their own creativity and inner voice and to deepen their understanding of themselves and others through meditation, movement and art expression. By connecting the arts to each other and by connecting the student to the arts, the student bridges the gap that exists between mind, body and spirit and realizes their holistic, integrated selves as well as their relationship to the world around them.

Artsconnect has the dual purpose of promoting affective learning and academic learning. Affective learning relates to the students’ understanding of themselves in relationship to their surroundings and their community. This includes concepts such as self-esteem, trust and success. Their academic skills are enhanced by creating space for creative thinking and problem solving as well as honing their listening skills. Many children feel pressure at school brought on by intense competition and the emphasis on standardized testing. ArtsConnect offers the children an opportunity to be expressive and successful in a non-competitive and non-threatening environment.

ArtsConnect will take the form of discussions and experiential expressive and creative arts exercises. We will meet weekly for six weeks after school, preferably in a gym or auditorium since we will need ample room for movement and artwork. ArtsConnect may also be offered as part of the curriculum if the school can work it in to their academic day. We have created an ambitious and flexible schedule for each lesson so depending on the number of students and the time allotted(1 hour or 1 1/2 hours), some activities may need to be omitted. The program can easily be adjusted to fit various time frames and class sizes.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

WEEK ONE: ALL ABOUT "ME"

This first session is "all about me". The students explore who they are by name, by body part, and by words and movements. They create a final piece that describes who they are through poetry and motion.

WEEK TWO: ENERGY

The second week focuses on the concept of energy and the notion that we are all connected through energy. Energy is not local to our bodies but connects us with all other energy beings. In this session, we move away from "me" to the broader community and ultimately, to the universe.

WEEK THREE: THE WEB--WE ARE ALL CONNECTED

This session will continue our focus on our inter-relatedness, the universal connection we have to all things and beings. It's critical to start teaching children in their early years that everything they do affects something or someone else.

WEEK FOUR: CREATING ENVIRONMENTS

Children relate to space differently. This session addresses the issue of personaland public space and the importance of understanding each child's needs and how to respect the needs of others. It also focuses on the student's notion of a safe or happy space and how powerful images can be in expressing an emotion.

WEEK FIVE: AWAKENING THE SENSES

This session focuses on the senses and how much we rely on our senses to provide us with important information throughout our day. We see how the information we gain through our senses effects our emotions.

WEEK SIX: NATURE'S WONDERS

Children are losing touch with the natural world, causing higher rates of depression and obesity. Many children have such little contact with the natural world that they are often scared by the sounds and sights they experience when they do go into natural settings. As Albert Einstein says "If you look deep into nature then you'll understand everything better." We can't always bring the students to nature but we can do our best to bring nature to the students.