The ART of it all.

Being creative with my teaching isn't something that comes very easily to me. I typically have to spend a good hour researching ideas online and then adapting them to my teaching situations. CAPES! wasn't much different. Especially in the land based portion of things. I have taught swimming lessons for several years and have picked up a ton of "artsy" techniques from other teachers that I work with. I have used those all the time in CAPES!. One of the most successful was when I was trying to encourage BE to float on his back. Now, he doesn't have a fear of water at all but he didn't enjoy floating. I think it was somewhat uncomfortable for him, but mostly I think it was because he would get cold by being up like that and having a large part of his body out of the water. However, one technique I started using was while he was floating I would either tell him a story (Goldilocks and 3 bears, little red riding hood etc) to keep his mind off things. Usually that was just the trick he needed. He was able to float much longer when he did that. We have also used different techniques like, I have a pet goldfish that lives in the pool. I let BE name him, and he named him Goldie. So, he gets to talk to Goldie (by blowing bubbles) and then he has to listen to Goldies' response (putting his ear in the water) I have found over my years as a swim teacher that those kind of techniques do wonders, as they have with BE. I think those would all fall under the "Artsy" creative category.
On land, I am not as creative, but Victoria created this amazing scavenger/treasure hunt for her students to work together, follow directions and stuff and it was BRILLIANT. It was a blast and grew into more than one week's activity. That is probably my favorite "artsy" experience thus far. Next week we also have a "fire fighter cadet training" activity for the rock wall. We are hoping BR is more interested in the rock wall because of the creativity.
Which leads me to answering the question, which is better, artsy or science? I would have to say artsy is better. And it doesn't matter if you are teaching kindergarten or college. My most memorable learning experiences and favorite teachers have been more of the creative teachers that are able to present something enjoyable for me to do whilst I am learning.
I think artsy teachers are more able to teach on the fly if their plan fails (which happens all the time in PE.) They are also able to adapt and make changes to their plans with ease. I think being artsy is more valuable to me as a PE teacher. I wish I was more "artsy" by nature but I also think with practice and experience I will get more artsy.