A Playful Mind: Powerful Procedures and Enhancing Creativity through the Schulwerk

There’s always a place for creation – a folk dance with a twist, a chance to explore the xylophone, or an opportunity to see what your body can do with one word – but pulling these ideas from our students can be challenging. Let’s go back to the Schulwerk roots of playfulness, discovery, and wonder as we explore these ideas and more through student-led choices, improvisation, risk-taking, and more. Plus, we’ll unearth the power of procedures and how a welcoming and inclusive space builds respectful learners and enhances the Schulwerk experience. Join us for our musical Orff journey!

Matthew Stensrud is an internationally-acclaimed and award-winning Elementary Music and Movement Teacher and serves as President-Elect of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. He currently teaches PK-4 music and movement at Sidwell Friends Lower School in Washington, DC. He received his Master of Music Education from George Mason University and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, is an Orff Schulwerk approved Teacher Educator of Movement, and teaches Movement Levels in New Jersey and Oregon. He was a key content contributor to the book Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, PE and Other Special Areas and is well-known on social media as @MisterSOrff. Learn more on his Patreon page, www.patreon.com/mistersorff.