Creative Engagement for Health is a resource for teachers to help provide meaningful opportunities for students to engage creatively with their peers for the purpose of building a sense of autonomy and belonging in the classroom. It also introduces the idea that we can use our creative resources as tools for understanding ourselves and each other more deeply. Finally, we believe that the simple act of engaging with creative practice can be a meaningful path toward wholeness and well-being.
There are 6 modules in this curriculum.
Our introductory lesson provides an overview of how creative practice and reflection can support students’ health and well-being, while also highlighting the importance of setting the conditions for creative engagement that allow students to take risks, be vulnerable, and thrive in various creative explorations.
Each of the 5 core lessons will focus on a “Creative Resource” such as Empathy, Humor, Gratitude, Curiosity, and Tolerance for Ambiguity.
Each core lesson will include an introduction to the creative resource, a primary creative challenge, and one or more creative routines that can become a regular part of your classroom culture.
We have developed this curriculum in partnership with local teachers and mental health professionals and have been working in the field of arts integration for many years. As this is a new curriculum, we can’t guarantee that it will work for every group of students in the way we have designed it. We appreciate hearing about your experiences, both good and bad, and any adaptations you try as you work to make this material relevant for your students.