
I love the big book The Wonder Garden, as it reminds me of one of my favorite 3rd grade dance projects from about 15 years ago.
Years ago, I was teaching dance at Thousand Oaks Elementary School in Berkeley, California. I was teaching in Jennifer Stinson's class. Jennifer shared that the students were exploring rain forest habitats, and we created a magical group dance based on the subject. Here is my memory of the basic format --- beginning, middle, and end. Rain forests are amazing with their layers, levels, animals, and plants. And, how does the temperature affect movement and tempo? Lots of dancing potential.
Part A of our group dance was an opening tableaux/group picture/group shape with all of the students. We played with levels, size, and shape. Then everyone dispersed from our stage space.
Part B - small group sections. The students were divided into small groups of about 5-6 students. Each group had an animal - such as spider monkeys or macaws. Over the course of a few classes, each group created a short movement phrase of about 6 ideas in it to show what each animal does and how it moves. One group at a time came out into the performance area, danced, and then exited. We made a basic list of notes for each group, to help remember their phrases (ex. swinging, eating fruit, grabbing a vine).
Part C - Last, we ended as we began. All creatures re-emerged and finished in a group shape.
As for music, I believe we selected a piece of jazz (possibly Art Blakey and the Afro-Drum Ensemble). We selected a piece based on feel and flow.
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Now, back to the book I first mentioned! If you also like the idea of a group dance about habitats, please check out The Wonder Garden! Kristjana Williams is a magical and talented graphic artist, and Jenny Broom's writing offers students key descriptors about each habitat and its plants and animals. This book can be a perfect springboard for a habitats project. The book features 5 habitats: Chihuahuan Desert, Amazon Rain Forest, Black Forest, Himalayan Mountains, and Great Barrier Reef.
Also, as students read and research for the group dance, consider also checking out the following excellent animal books:
Animalium by Katie Scott and Jenny Broom
Zoo-ology by Joelle Jolivet
Panorama by Joelle Jolivet and Fani Marceau
The Animal Book by Steve Jenkins
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