Polyphony.(Professional Resources)

Q What does "outside the box" mean for you?

A An intriguing and certainly thought-provoking question this is! At first thought, I believe it has to do with thinking and listening in more creative ways than those to which we are accustomed. It could mean doing something differently and in ways we might not immediately explore if we had continued on our normal path without stopping to listen to an inner voice and to act differently.

I wonder if functioning "outside the box" has to do fully with creativity? Might it deal with taking normal activities in teaching or daily life and re-shaping them to include something not predictable? It might have to do with listening to another and accepting his ideas, putting ourselves in his shoes to understand him better. It might have to do with more frequently asking the question: "What if ... ?" It could mean that we listen to students carefully and differently so that we let them give us clues regarding how to teach them. And, it could include the re-ordering of our lives so that we are balanced and stimulated in body, mind and spirit--in addition to being focused on our teaching livelihood.

Teaching inside the box means that we accept the status quo. It can easily become a formula for teacher boredom and, perhaps eventually, teacher burn out. When we're inside the box, we have reasons new ideas or activities will not work--again and again.

Outside-the-box thinking and teaching can produce excited students and engaged teachers--a formula for energy in the lesson and the entire studio. Look for a spark of an idea that intrigues you--and then follow that spark, sublimating excuses to maintain the status quo.

What are examples of "outside the box" activities for teachers? Ask students to "map" their pieces…