Heart-based right brain enrichment programs and early learning centers

By a Teacher

One afternoon, I was asked to come substitute in an elementary classroom for an hour. The regular teacher had just called in to say that she was going to be late, so I dashed over to her room -- to find a classroom full of boys and girls enjoying a sense of absolute freedom.

Without any prepared curriculum, I wondered what I could do to fill the space of a whole hour with sixth graders! At that time, my specialty -- and only realm of experience -- was with preschool and nursery-aged children.

Getting their attention, I said, "Hi, everybody! Today, you get a short break from your regular class schedule. We're going to have eye races!"

"You mean eye drills?" asked one student.

"No. These are fun! They're Eye Races! Sit at your desks and pull out a piece of paper."

I had each student draw an eye race course. They sat down and immediately began. As they were drawing, I noticed a tape cassette recorder. I popped a classical music tape in.

"Okay, now, follow your eye course as many times as you can during this song. See if you can sweep your eyes across the paper at the same rhythm as the music."

They did. Then, I had them switch papers with a friend for the next musical piece.

We kept switching papers and listening to music. Before anyone knew it, one hour had elapsed and the teacher had returned.

Afterwards, in the school office, the teacher told me that her class wanted to know when I could come back! She said that after I left, the sixth-graders had started a new science module that was somewhat challenging and did really well.

"Just what do these eye races do?" she wanted to know.