First, just for clarification, this column only pertains to people who have a brain.  If that’s not you – then just turn the page and catch me next week. (chuckle).

  Recently there have been a lot of discussions about our brains. Not so much if we have one, but how our little bit of genius operates. My granny would have never thought of this “righty/lefty”concept although she had a very clever brain – probably your granny, too. But as we have moved into the threshold of the twenty-first century, learning more about the right/left brain theory remains relevant to EVERYTHING.

Psycho-biologist Roger W. Sperry is credited with the first studies prepared in the late 1960’s that pertained to the theory: The human brain has two very different ways of thinking. His research indicated that the right side of the brain is visual and processes information in an intuitive and simultaneous way, looking first at the whole picture then the details. The left-brain is verbal and processes information in an analytical and sequential way, looking first at the pieces then putting them together to get the whole. Sperry was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1981.

Inline with this study, below are listed brain functions:

Left Brain Right Brain

uses logic  uses feeling

detail oriented  “ big picture” oriented

facts rule  imagination rules

words and language symbols and images

present and past present and future

math and science philosophy and religion

can comprehend can “get it” (i.e. meaning)

knowing believes

acknowledges appreciates

order/pattern perception spatial perception

reality based fantasy based

forms strategies presents possibilities

practical impetuous

safe  risk taking

 

If you are interested in “checking-out” your brain, there is a Creativity Test that can be found online:http://www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouver/left_right/rb_test.htm

Here are a few of the sample questions:

1. I prefer to be counseled individually.

Often

Some

Occasionally

Rarely

1. I need complete quietness to read or study.

Often

Some

Occasionally

Rarely

1. I usually do things in a planned systematic way.

Often

Some

Occasionally

Rarely

1. I prefer to be in a group.

Often

Some

Occasionally

Rarely

1. I have the ability to listen to music or television and study at the same time.

Often

Some

Occasionally

Rarely

 

There are 54 questions in all – go ahead and take a look, and if you dare, then answer all 54 questions. You can view the results immediately. It’s a lot of fun.

Not surprising, over the subsequent years many studies and much research was developed pertaining to this enlightening subject. Various correlations can be made between all of the different theories – of major importance is ARTS In EDUCATION.

Enter into the discussion three agencies: Mississippi Department of Education, Mississippi Arts Commission, and Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education. All three are committed to improving the quality of education for our Mississippi students.

I think that one of the most important special projects promoted by Mississippi Arts Commission is the Whole Schools Initiative. As noted (in part) at the MAC web site: http://www.arts.state.ms.us./special-projects/whole-schools.php The Whole Schools Initiative is about comprehensive school reform using the arts. The goal of the Initiative is to educate every child in and through the arts. In our area, there are three whole schools: Poplar Springs Elementary, Clarkdale Elementary, and Quitman Elementary. Many, many schools in Mississippi are in the process of achieving the Whole School status. The status requires a strong six-year commitment from the school and district – schools participating are supported through grant funds, professional development, and technical assistance for the first six years. For more information: Contact Judi Holifield, Whole Schools Program Director: phone number (601) 359-6040 or jholifield@arts.state.ms.us.

Joining the efforts and in a mighty way is Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education. The MAAE Mission:  The mission of the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education is to advocate for high quality, comprehensive and sequential arts education for all Mississippi Students.  As noted at the MAAE web site:http://www.msartsalliance.com The Mississippi Department of Education, the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education, and the Mississippi Arts Commission collaborate to speak with one voice in education policy, advocacy, and funding related to arts education in the state.

As the Mississippi Department of Education continues their journey to educate our students, it is encouraging to click to their web site: http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ and admire the many teacher/administrator training opportunities provided by this agency, the interaction with community and businesses, the hope for the future, and the plans for the present. Noted on the home page, “A Quality Education for Every Child. … Every Child a Reader.”

It was July 2007 -- I was selected to attend the very first Artists as Educators: Planning Effective Workshops for Teachers, taught by the Kennedy Center. The Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education sponsored the workshop that worked with a goal to increase the number of artists included in the Teaching Artist Roster sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission. Since that time many of these workshops have been presented throughout the state, including our MSU/Riley Center. Mississippi schools that engage artists routinely consult the roster for a description of an artist’s skills and recommendation of the quality of their work in the arts and in education. From the time of my attending the July 2007 workshop, I have been engaged by schools across the state to present my area of the arts – storytelling, plays, Mississippi heritage, and creative writing. It has been one of the great joys of my life.

What is this all about, you ask?  It all started with lefty/righty – to find ways to teach our students. I learned in July 2007 at this first workshop, EVERY student is teachable. It is our duty to find the way.

 

Anne McKee is a writer and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster as a dramatic and literary artist and storyteller. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.