Eye On Education: Brockton School Using Arts In Every Class
BROCKTON (CBS) - Lots of schools struggle with shrinking budgets and in Brockton, they've taken a creative approach to the issue. One school is exposing kids to the arts in every class.
When you walk through a school and hear classical music in math and singing in science or see artwork next to fashion design, you might think it's just for fun.
But at East Middle School in Brockton, it's a lesson in turning a problem in to an opportunity.
Just before the school year started, East Middle School lost its funding for arts teachers so the principal asked the faculty and staff to integrate the arts in to every class in the curriculum and the results have been better than they could have possibly imagined.
"It's a school-wide initiative, and it's going really well so far," Principal Dr. Kelly Silva said.
While they still like to have regular art classes - East Middle School has made the best of a bad situation. Kids are now taught using music, movement, or art - in every class - from English to math - social studies to gym.
In a school where the student body is 40% bilingual and 20% special education - Principal Dr. Kelly Silva says writing has improved, scores are up, and so are spirits.
"We've noticed comprehension and students articulating their thinking has been an issue for us," Dr. Silva says, "but with the arts the students have been more engaged."
Carla Amado, an eighth grader loves the new approach: "I love it because I can learn from the music and it's very fun at the same time."
Eighth grader Kevin Martins agrees. "I thought it was good because it would be a fun way to learn," he says.
"A lot of kids are writing their own songs to remember things so it's really nice to see them say wait a minute I am an artist, I had this in me and they're exploring those things," Dr. Silva said.
Veteran teachers like Clotilde Melo-O'Connell say it was a challenging request but teachers have responded as well.
Melo-O'Connell was excited to use all of her talents in the classroom. "My thought was - I'll get to be creative again!" she said.
Dr. Silva is proud that her improvisation has led to such great results. "It's exciting for the teachers, for the kids and for me as the principal," she says.
Dr. Silva says she has a contest going among the faculty who've become very competitive about it - trying to come up with new arts-based lessons all the time and students love it.
If you know about a school with a great story email eyeoneducation@cbs.com or tweet @paulaebbenwbz.