The Arts Toolbox: 64 Arts Strategies for the Classroom

Packed with over 64 drama, dance, music, and visual arts activities, this valuable resource is a must-have for every classroom. Explore the power of arts integration to deepen learning and inspire students. Get your free copy now and elevate your teaching!

Last summer, the BYU ARTS Partnership worked hard to develop new tools that will elevate your classroom and allow your students to experiment with the arts. Due to the popularity of our 21 Red-Hot Process Drama tools over the past 18 years, we have expanded the resource to include 16 dance, 16 music, and 16 visual arts tools. 

Access the newly launched Arts Toolbox ebook now
You don’t want to miss it! Every strategy can be used to help students develop art skills, explore core concepts, and regulate their own learning journey. 
We are eager to get this exciting resource into your hands! Download a free copy of the Arts Toolbox ebook by clicking here. 

Sample Activities from the Arts Toolbox!

Drama: Teacher-in-Role

A teacher can assume the role(s) of character(s) within a drama. For example, the teacher can become a messenger coming to warn a group of townspeople about an imminent plague. Later, the teacher takes on the role of the mayor, another townsperson, or a different character within the drama.

Dance: String of Pearls

Invite students to explore movement based on a prompt (e.g. quick & sharp, low & slow, large & smooth, etc.). Have students try three different ways of moving with the prompt.  Then instruct students to decide on one particular movement they liked best and perform it repeatedly to solidify. Observe their decisions. Next, taking volunteers or making assignments, guide the students to create a movement phrase by stringing together the individual movements of 4-5 students

Music: Music Maps

Children draw a line that represents the flow or line of the music. Keeping their pencil on the paper, they begin when the music begins, and stop when the music ends. Best executed with short folk songs with a clear beginning and end. Encourage students to avoid crossing lines too much. More details for music maps.

Visual Arts: Momigami

The Japanese technique of folding paper over and over again until it becomes soft, almost like fabric. Can be done with any type of paper: the thicker the paper, the more difficult and time consuming it is. Could be used as a sensory activity talking about the attributes of plain paper vs. the excessively folded paper. Could be used as a focusing tool during a lecture, movie, or reading. Could be incorporated into a collage, and discussions about recycling.

We created instructional videos for a handful of the 64 strategies. Check them out on our YouTube Channel Playlist: "The Arts Toolbox."

Let's paint, dance, sing, write, and perform our way to a brighter, more vibrant educational landscape!