District Teachers Learn About Kinesthetic Intelligence
by Dr. Pamela Hollich
January 24, 2008
On Friday, January 18th Brookwood School District 167 teachers were up out of their seats and moving with Dr. Sara Schneider, a professor in Interdisciplinary Studies at National-Louis University. It was exciting and energizing to spend time with Dr. Schneider. She has a great deal of expertise in the area of kinesthetic-bodily intelligence. She received her undergraduate education at Yale University and her doctorate in performance studies at New York University. She founded and directed the theatre company Chaparral in New York and currently heads the Cultural Sculpture Project. She is also the author of three books.
The workshop on the Institute Day focused on teachers incorporating kinesthetic learning strategies in the their classrooms to focus, unite, calm, and energize students and to reach those for whom kinesthetic intelligence is a strength. Kinesthetic or body-based teaching and learning
methods have the potential to reach students who may not test well verbally, particularly students with special needs. Teachers learned about breathing techniques and different yoga exercises through active participation. These different exercises may be used creatively by teachers in a wide variety of ways from calming and focusing attention to interpreting literature.
