Brainstorm with J. Wonder and P. Donovan, Author's of "Whole Brain Thinking"
Solution: Use this list/link of examples for shifting from Left to Right brain thinking, to generate a Right Brain Brainstorm.
These lists may prompt you to integrate some of these actions into creative experiences in your class. At the end of the list, I generate a couple of specific ways I could visualize doing one with an art class. I hope it gets you kick-started into continuing along a great avenue. Remember to think in multiple modalities. Good Luck!
Doren Damico
Wonder, Jacquelyn and Donovan, Priscilla. Whole Brain Thinking. 1984 William and Morrow and Company, Inc. New York.
Left to Right [List 1]:
1. visualizing, daydreaming
2. discovering pattern, big picture, connections
3. Opening up to "irrelevancies"
4. responding to body language, tone of voice, hug, smile, laugh
5. talking to your self in a positive, supportive way; using colorful, playful childlike language
6. seeing through others' eyes, trying to feel their point of view
7. moving, exercising, recreating, experiencing, playing, enjoying
Left to Right [List 2]:
1. shifting phone to your left ear (controlled by right brain) for emphatic listening
2. doodling, drawing, printing
3. singing rounds, humming, recalling, joking, chuckling
4. breathing deeply saying or thinking "maaa" with each exhale; doing this until you feel relaxed; taking stroll to no place in particular
5. carrying a clipboard, notes or other comforting symbol
6. taking a mini-vacation at your desk; leaning back, relaxing, closing eyes, daydreaming
7. visualizing green for freedom to glide, experience, enjoy, soar
8. making eye contact with others to feel their point of view
9. relating to someone or something you know or have experienced
10. being aware of the colors, space, aromas, sounds, emotions around you
11. seeing the whole situation, how each person and element is related
Doren's Brainstorm #1, From examples 4 and 7, of List 1 above:
responding to body language moving/recreating/experiencing
Use figure art and/or sculpture as models or reflection prompts. Ask people to mirror poses with their own bodies both literally and figuratively, to hold in stillness and silence. Have them inwardly examine how the sculpture/figure feels in space. Translate into an art expression, but not a verbal one?
Doren's Brainstorm #2, From examples 3 and 6, List 2 above:
humming/recalling closing eyes/daydreaming
Have students bring headsets and listen to their own music (preferably without words) during an art activity. Encourage them to hum along to their music. Play your own music in class and ask students to respect silence during the art activity. Play your own music and ask people to close their eyes and listen. Ask them to recall the feelings the song held for them, after hearing it, by closing their eyes again and remembering the feelings/music. Do this with visual/multi-media art as well. Look/listen. Then close eyes and recall the experience of the art. Daydream about being in the piece of art, or of doing art that mimics or recalls the original model. Do an artistic reflection, preferably non-verbal? Save all the talking about it for later or another time...
P.S. Below is a nice site with articles that may be of interest to you to continue your Right Brain Brainstorm.
Contributed by Doren Damico, Education Specialist, Los Angeles Unified School District |
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