STEAM: Activate with Rhythm! Jessica Fredricks Polk County Fine Arts
Why Activate with Rhythm? O Rhythm engages both halves of the brain O Students learn faster, retain longer O Channel natural energy into learning energy
Put the Beat In Your Feet! O Ability to maintain a steady beat is indicative of reading readiness (also skipping) O Intermediate extension: Singles/Doubles
What is STEAM? O STEAM habits of mind O Open-ended questions O “what else could this be?”
I Like to Sing! O Enhancing phonemic awareness, fluency O Classifying words (science skill) O Training brains for algebra (substitution = math) O Creating within parameters (engineering) O Expanding movement vocabulary O Developing steady beat (reading readiness)
Brain Dance! The more you move, the more efficiently your brain functions, because exercise: O Grows new brain cells O Produces BDNF, “fertilizer” for the brain O Increases memory retrieval O Improves mood O Fun, develops deep listening, but also about patterns
Iceberg What people see you do What you actually do
Rhythm Activators! (prek-2) O Animals O Numbers O Letters O Sensing a 4-beat phrase O Extensions for numbers and letters O Algebraic thinking, classifying words, engineering
Tiptoe Feet! O Social skills: ability to wait patiently O The rhythm of different movements O Spatial awareness, kinesthetic body sense O Classifying words (science skill) O Language of substitution (algebraic thinking) O Listen: (error detection) what’s different? O Create: how else could we move? O Want them to create, not just innovate
Hey Betty Martin! O Do you know Betty Martin? O Who do you know? O Language of substitution = algebraic thinking O Classification of words = science skill O When to move, when not to move = life skill O Engineering = creating within parameters
Look High, Look Low O Training brains for algebra (substitution) O Creating within parameters (engineering) O Expanding movement vocabulary O Developing steady beat (reading readiness) O Classifying words (science skill)
Engineering Design Process
Engineering Rhythms! O Listen O Ask: what can I contribute to support the group while at the same time leaving space for others to contribute? O Have a rhythmic conversation (talk/listen) O There are no mistakes O Constant state of reflection/evaluation
“I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de- escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.” -Haim Ginott
Reflection O What have we learned today? O How can you use this in your work? O What is your biggest learning?
Teaching Resources Activate with Rhythm! Play Well With Others by Jessica Fredricks, available at STEAM-Powered! will be published by Rhythm Trek in March 2016
Thank you for being here! Jessica Fredricks Polk County Fine Arts