Dancing Words Blog

Bones, Muscles, and Joints

I got this book a few months ago, and am now actively using it in my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade dance classes. Movers and Shapers by Patricia Mcnair could also be used with 5th grade classes.

For this dance unit, I begin each class with one of the 2-page spreads in the book. I like this book because of how it is divided up. Some days the students read the information, and some days I show it and read a little of the text. For example, today we explored the 2 pages about joints. I made color photocopies of the pages for each student. It gives the students a nice visual. We actually did a "read aloud" of these two pages. This was my introduction for the class. After this, we did a quick partner warm up related to joints. Then, as we did our first center warm up, I focused on which joints were being used.

Movers and Shapers is simple and clear - a great introduction to anatomy for middle schoolers and upper elementary students.

 

 

Guest Post: Dancers Among Us

Today's post is from dance teaching artist Sheena Jeffers.

Dancers Among Us, which has landed itself on the New York Times Best-Seller List, began as a project when photographer Jordan Matter observed his son playing with a toy bus. “I was trying to keep pace with this three-year-old mind as he got deeper and deeper into a fantasy involving nothing more than a yellow plastic box and armless figurines. At least that’s what I saw. He saw frantic commuters rushing to catch the 77 local bus to Australia.” 

The book captures movement, dance technique and creativity and exhibits how those three qualities interact with our regular daily activity. 

The book of photography, from photo shoots with professional dancers, is broken down into seven sections: Dreaming, Loving, Playing, Exploring, Grieving, Working, and Living. Each section contains quotes, stories and photographs of dancers interacting with the non-dancing world around them. 

The book is a great conversation starter for young dance students because: 

-The students can identify technique through the photograph: Are the legs extended? Toes pointed? What is their body placement? 
-The students can discuss the visual representation of dance with the larger theme and idea: What atmosphere were they photographed in? What is going on? What is the connection to real life? What is the photographer trying to say?
-The students can formulate their own opinions: What do they think of the image and the story? How does this relate to their personal lives? 

There is a quote used in the book, that captures the energy running through each page: “I am a verb,” said by Ulysses S. Grant. The 229 page book, which also runs the reader through the development of each photograph, is fun and lighthearted even when tackling serious issues during the grief section. 

Students, grades 6-12, will appreciate the photography, quotes and short stories as they see dance leap from the pages and into their personal lives. 

Sheena Jeffers is a dance educator throughout Virginia. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Dance Education. She runs Ballet Shoes & Bobby Pins, a blog focused on initiating dance conversation and awareness for students, parents and dance admirers of all ages. Join the conversation; follow on Twitter: @BalletBobbyPins

Book List: Over, Under, Around, and Through (Prepositions)

Above, around, beside, below, on, off, and under. I love exploring prepositions in preschool and K-2 dance classes. There are many options with books. You might extract out the prepositions, and create a movement phrase (like with Tana Hoban's Over, Under, and Through). You might play with different parts, dividing the class into two to explore the "above ground" and "under the ground" ideas (such as in Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner).

• Over, Under, and Through - Tana Hoban
• Rosie's Walk - Pat Hutchins
• Star Climbing - Lou Fancher, with paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
• We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
• Over and Under in the Snow - Kate Messner, with art by Christopher Silas Neal

Please leave a comment if you have other book recommendations, that are rich with prepositions.

Magic and Whimsy Series: Grandmother Winter

Are you a K-5 dance teaching artist looking for inspiration as you wrap up the semester, and maybe make a dance to celebrate winter? I encourage you to check out Grandmother Winter by Phyllis Root, with artwork by Beth Krommes.

Grandmother Winter is a magical character that is interacting with the animals, creating snow, and more. "When the days burn down toward the longest night Grandmother shakes her feather quilt. Flake by flake the snow begins to fall." You, the teacher, could be the narrator of the story, with your whole class dancing the story. Students will move like feather, animals, and snow. I love the idea of the students shifting shapes, qualities, and ways of moving. 

I think the book can be a fresh take on the theme of "winter" in your classes. 

As for music, one album I am loving right now is with the beautiful sound of kora and cello, Chamber Music by Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal (available on iTunes).

Book List: Animal Inspiration

Over the past year, I have written several posts about animal books. Today, with a stack of books beside me, I wanted to share a compiled list for you. Some of the books have text that can lead to a dance. Others are simply beautiful visuals to use as inspiration and springboards for projects.

Ages 2-5

• Swing! Like a Monkey by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback
• Wiggle! Like an Octopus by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback
• Move! by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• Into the A, B, Sea by Deborah Lee Rose, with artwork by Steve Jenkins
• In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming
• In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming
• From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

Grades K-2

• African Animals ABC by Philippa-Alys Browne
• Move! by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• Into the A, B, Sea by Deborah Lee Rose, with artwork by Steve Jenkins
• Down Down Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins
• Living Color by Steve Jenkins
• Zoo-ology by Joelle Jolivet

Grades 3-5

• Panorama: A Foldout Book by Fani Marceau and Joelle Jolivet
• Zoo-ology by Joelle Jolivet
• A Zeal of Zebras by Woop Studios

Bea at Ballet

I am a huge Rachel Isadora fan. A former dancer herself, Isadora has written many books about dance. (K-2 classroom teachers could do a whole author study about her and her dance books.)

Her new book, Bea at Ballet, is a wonderful book for curious young boys and girls interested in ballet. Children ages 2-4 will love reading this book with you. Don't be deceived by the cover; the book is a great new take on the subject of the children's ballet class. The text and images share details about attire in a class, the music accompaniment, positions of the feet, actions of the feet, and more.

Enjoy!

 

Descriptionary: A Thematic Dictionary

Today's post is not a typical book listing on the Dancing Words Blog. But, for readers who are excited about the intersection of words and dance, check out this book. Descriptionary can be used as a springboard in dance classes with students in grades 3-12 as well as college.

This "thematic" dictionary of over 600 pages is list upon list of words. There are lists of clouds, dinosaurs, cooking terms, and key words for sports such as basketball and boxing. There is lots of movement potential. Look up a category, review the list of words and definitions, and be creative with using the words as a starting point for a movement project. 

Descriptionary is the kind of "reference book" to keep handy on your studio bookshelf.

 

Water Dance...Cloud Dance...Mountain Dance...

Thomas Locker's three picture books - Water Dance, Cloud Dance, and Mountain Dance - are great springboards for group dances with students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.

The use of the word "dance" refers to the changing of states, forms, and rises and falls within the natural world.

Water Dance is a book with poetic language. Each page describes a different form of water:

I wind through broad, golden valley

joined by streams,

joined by creeks.

I grow ever wider,

broader and deeper.

I am the river.

Cloud Dance also describes different forms - this time not water but clouds - with descriptive language. Students in small groups, trios, or duets can create phrases for each page.

Fluffy summer clouds

march 

in the blue sky.

 

Gray clouds 

with golden fringes

block the streaming sunlight.

Last, Mountain Dance explores the land and volcanoes, folded mountains, mountain ranges, types of erosion, and more.

All three books are a beautiful blend of art and science. The books could be a great starting point for a collaboration between dance teachers and science teachers. 

 

Wiggle Like an Octopus

Wiggle Like an Octopus is a great addition to the category of "animal action books." This board book, by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback, can be enjoyed at home with a parent and child, in a parent/child dance class, or in a preschool dance class with children ages 2-5. 

The simple, direct text will get the students up on their feet quickly. "Can you scurry like a crab? Sway like a starfish? Swoop like a seagull looking for fish?"

Purchase the book here.