Whole Brain Teaching:

The Importance of Art & Movement

in the Classroom
Presenter: Rachel Dow
Audience: Oxford Preparatory Academy Staff
Date: April 19, 2019
Objectives:
➢ OPA staff understands what whole brain teaching is.
➢ OPA staff understands how the left and right brains
function.
➢ OPA staff understand what art integration is, its
importance and how to implement it in the classroom.
➢ OPA staff understand what movement integration is, its
importance and how to implement it in the classroom.
➢ OPA staff develops 6 ideas on how to incorporate art and
movement in the classroom
 What Is whole
Brain Teaching?
Discuss with your
neighbor
Left and Right Brain Functions
 Left Brain Responsible for:

- Logic
Left brain is linked to more - Reasoning
traditional classroom
learning, such as math and - Mathematics

language arts. - Language

- Patterns

- Written Language

- Oral Language
 Right Brain Responsible for:

- Organizing Information
Right brain is linked to - Abstract Meaning
personal expression through
creative thinking, movement - Visual Representation

and art. - Emotion

- Imagination

- Creativity

- Music & Art

Importance of Whole Brain Teaching
Whole brain teaching activates both
parts of the brain through engaging
teaching, which has shown to
increase neurological connections
throughout the learning process
(Sousa, 2017) .

The use of art, movement, music and

student expression are key to whole
brain teaching.
 Art integration is the use of art
on a daily basis to increase

What is Art
student knowledge and
understanding of grade level
content.

Integration? Art can include: Singing,

drawing, music, painting, drama
and acting.

Students must engage with content

through exploration and
creativity in order to demonstrate
critical thinking and create
personal meaning. (Sousa, 2017)
Why Should we incorporate Art?
Curriculum Connection
- Makes content accessible

- Encourages active learning

- Develops personal connections to content

- Develops abstract ideas

- Stimulates higher level thinking

- Develops collaborative work skills and community

(Crawford, 2004)
 - Paint pictures of landforms in social
studies

Art Lesson Examples

- Skip count by 8's through a song to
build multiplication skills

- Design a model of an animal life cycle

- Write and perform a play about a

Native American folktale

- Design a dream home to build concepts

of area and perimeter

- Paint the parts of a flower to

understand how plants are pollinated
 Your Turn! Come
up with 3 different
ways you can
incorporate art
into your lessons!
What is Movement
Movement integration is the act of
bringing physical activity in to a
regular classroom setting.

Integration? Movement can include fine motor

skills and larger motor skills.

The goal of movement integration

is to use them as teaching tools
to increase student achievement,
concentration, and abilities.
Why should we incorporate Movement?
Curriculum Connection
- Increases student's ability to learn

- Increases student behavior and time spent on tasks

- Memory and concentration is increased

- Physical activity and high achievement are positively connected

- Increases brain function, which allows students to take in new information

(Reilly, Buskist, & Gross, 2012)

 - Rotating student learning stations

Movement Lesson - Providing purposeful movements

connected to vocabulary words

Examples
- Music and movement through curriculum
based songs

- Brain breaks every 20 minutes during

focused work time

- Acting out key concepts and ideas in

science and social studies

- Game based learning

Your Turn! Come up
with 3 different ways
you can incorporate
movement into your
lessons!
Whole Brain Teaching Summary
- Student achievement will increase when both the left
and right hemispheres are utilized
- Art and movement build strong curriculum connections
- Lessons can be simple, yet engaging for all to tap the
right brain

Take Away Question: In what ways does teaching to the

right brain increase learning in the left brain?