Arts as Tools

Use the ARTS AS TOOLS to energize the classroom, spark thinking, and create classroom community. These tools can be adapted to any grade level and used at any time.


Deb Brzoska, National Arts Assessment Specialist, explains how the arts as tools promote active learning.

The Flow State



The arts as tools can put students in the flow zone, an optimal learning state. As proposed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, flow is full immersion and focus of awareness on the activity at hand.

Arts as Tools Overview



Think of the arts as tools to help students observe details, recognize and form patterns, and represent different ideas.

Nonverbal communication Shape Face Walk



Representing a strong character through the shape of one's body and facial expression can be done without talking. Arts in the classroom offer accessibility to students who may not be proficient in the English language.

The following collection of hands-on exercises can be dowloaded as a pdf in Arts as Tools



Magic Box



In Magic Box, the teacher and students pass around an imaginary box from which they each remove an imaginary object that is defined by how they use the object.

Mirrors



During Mirrors, students imitate movement at the same time as the teacher or leader.

Symmetrical Border Design



Students create designs using lines, shapes and colors in Symmetrical Border Design.

In the Echo dance and drama strategies students repeat rhythm, movements and sound after the leader.

Echo: Definition




Echo: Body Percussion




Echo: Movement




Echo Do What I Do, Say What I Say




Character Mirrors



Students imitate movement in Character Mirrors at the same time as the teacher or leader. The teacher/leader pantomimes different types of characters.

Melodic Quick Draw



In Melodic Quick Draw, music stimulates thoughts and memories as students become more fluid in their thoughts through quick drawing.