For one afternoon, a few NYU CHSE students (seniors and juniors) participated in a workshop that went over different exercises and activities that students are able to do within their own classroom in order to incoroporate dance and movement.
The man who presented the workshop (I forgot his name), along with a woman from Scholastic, Suzanne Corothers and Darrell Hucks were all present on that day. The main presenter and dance instructor was from the Alvin Ailey Dance School.
Throughout the workshop, we learned that there are different ways that a teacher is able to engage a student in a lesson by using and channeling through their energy. The first part was to actually get us to understand that everything we do every day involves some type of movement. Then, they showed us a YouTube clip of a classroom, played first with no sound, and we were to look at the children and the classroom environment. Without sound, it seemed as if the children were not engaging at all, because of their body movement, their posture in the class, where they were facing, what they were physically doing, etc. Then when played with sound, we found that the students were very much engaged in the lesson. The point being was that simply because a student may not be sitting in the "proper" way, it does not mean they are not paying attention; a student may be very well learn and just tend to move frequently. Children are naturally active and have a lot of energy that they need to release so being in school for an extended amount of time, they need to be active all the time. It also helps some them focus better.
The workshop was divided into groups. In each group, we all listened to a new CD of Nursery Rhymes but mixed with neosoul. It is an amazing CD. I recommend it to all teachers. The groups had to create their own version and take on a given song, i.e., Miss Mary Mack and then perform it. We also learned how many things that teachers want to integrate into their lessons (multiculturalism, home life, food, personal identities) can all be done through movement and dance.
Overall, I had an amazing time and learned so much about the importance of movement and dance in and outside of the classroom. At the end of the workshop, we all received a free picture book from Scholastic, promoting culture and dance, and a certificate of attendance.
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The lovely man who presented the workshop was Freddie Moore, founder of the Footprints Dance Company http://footprintsdance.org/Vision___Mission.html.
ReplyDeleteThe underlying mission of the organization is “Foot prints dance company is a … professional dance ensemble that exists to transform the lives of its artists and audiences. By bringing inspirational art to traditional and non-traditional settings, the company makes its mark by demonstrating the power of dance to strengthen communities and foster hope in people often excluded from the traditional performing arts world.”
At the beginning of the workshop we choreograph a movement piece together. Freddie tried to incorporate different aspects of our identity into the whole movement piece. We expressions from our daily lives including our culture to collectively brainstorm words that were later on used to guide each movement. The whole activity was surprisingly relaxing. I think that we often forget how much fun it is to move our body. Movement can be a means for children to express their feelings and an outlet for their energy.
So NeoSoul Rhymes as Nina mentioned was this awesome mixed of Nursery Rhymes. Here are some awesome sample tracks: http://neosoulrhymes.com/music.html It really is epic!
So I was most fortunate to be part of Nina’s group and we got the song “Itsy Bitsy Spider”. We turned into this jazzy, sexy story about Ms. Spider in a relationship with the Mr. Pole. I would have to second Nina’s comment about the workshop being an amazing time. In my student teaching placement right now, my class gets movement every Monday evenings and they absolutely love it.
I wish I could have gone!!! I've had arguments with my cooperating teacher, who says if the students aren't sitting still, they aren't paying attention. Yay that someone agrees with me that movement can sometimes help students pay attention. Thanks Pin for giving me the link to the cd.
ReplyDeleteSounds like this was an amazing workshop that every teacher should attend.If it is offered again in the spring I will be attending as long as it does not conflict with my schedule.I also agree with Cat, Nina, and Pin that movement can help students focus better.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, here are the details:
ReplyDeleteOctober 15, 2009
Greene Building at NYU
and thanks...yes, it was Freddie! I remember it now!
NEOSOUL RHYMES, guys! Get it, especially if you plan on teaching in the younger grades (k-2)
I also attended this workshop and I have to say it was one of my favorite PDs I've done all semester (along with the Preemptive Education conference). We learned so much about incorporating movement into the classroom. They not only provide concrete models, but also tutored us on the importance of the mind-body connection and the role that movement plays in learning and development. I enjoyed the wholistic approach to teaching that the workshop provided and am definitely going to use the techniques I learned in my own classroom! And I'm absolutely buying the CD so who ever wants a listen let me know!
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