smART breaks Video Series
smART breaks is our FREE digital arts library of interactive art classes that teaches elementary school children Social and Emotional Learning Competencies. Each episode is thoughtful and fun, focused on social/emotional learning, and taught by a staff of teaching artists who are professional dancers, actors and musicians.
In partnership with Stages, one of Houston’s premiere professional theater companies, we filmed 37 participatory dance, theater, and music classes for early learning students ages 2 to 4, and elementary students grades pre-K to 5th. With these episodes, educators, parents, and caregivers can blend arts education and mindfulness at home or in the classroom.
What does a “smART breaks” class look like?
Introduction (5-7 minutes): Each episode is introduced by two longtime friends – Captain Hope, a pilot and adventurist, and Mr. Zo, a gardener and nursing student, who moved from Nice, California to Houston, Texas. Settled into their new home, they invite their teaching artist friends and neighbors over to teach engaging and fun classes.
Warm-up (5-minutes): The friend visits, often entering through a fun “front door” (the storage trunk or refrigerator), and always brings a nutritional fruit/vegetable as a gift to learn about briefly.
Activity/Lesson (5-8 minutes): Children follow-along through the class.
Closing: Every episode ends with a review of the “Awesome Rules” and a fun song about being kind.
Visit the smART breaks website here: https://www.smartbreaks.org
More educational resources on our Digital Arts Library YouTube:
“Take 5’s” are five-minute breaks for upper elementary, middle and high schools, where teaching artists lead students in mindful exercises – breathing, improvisation, musicians playing their instruments, and brain dances to help focus students.
“Reading for HOPE” reading series features Houston celebrities and other guests reading from new and classic children’s books.
If you are an educator and interested in how to utilize the digital arts library with your students, please contact us at info@hopestoneinc.org. Academic resources include TEKS/SEL Guides and Vocabulary.