Changing the Way We Think: Using Arts to Inspire, Empower and Change Your School Community

Inspired by personal work in secondary education, Ms. Little has created an invaluable resource to help educators use applied theatre to create multidisciplinary connections in their school district. Illustrating how to integrate a drama program with English, Social Studies, Visual Arts, and Television, this book creates a broad tool to effectively reach students and help them not only become better scholars but better global citizens. The book breaks down the process of integrating arts into academics - from working with school administration, to creating lesson plans, inspiring students and getting the community on board. This is a hands-on approach that is easily utilized by any district - offering examples and testimonies from students who have gone through the process. This journey can be daunting but it will be the most exhilarating ride you will ever experience. This book also tackles and exemplifies the outstanding work that Ms. Little has done in the field of anti-bullying. Her innovative program won the Golden Bell Award for Leadership and Innovation in combating bullying and providing education opportunities to students to explore, dialogue and find new ways to create a safer environment within their school. "Anti-bullying has become a topic of concern, planning and legislation which has lead to a strong anti-bullying law in New Jersey dictating that every school must have an anti-bullying program. As school administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students and advocates struggle to identify the 'just-right' program to address this issue, Changing the Way We Think leads the way in offering solutions. This book provides expert guidance, and in these times, much needed assistance in eradicating bullying." Carolyn Beauchamp, MSW, ACSW President and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey