Learning Through Movement in the K-6 Classroom

Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
1. Introduction: Let’s Get This Moving!
	Picture This …. The Body as Integral to Learning
	Now Is the Time to Get Moving: Changing the Way We Teach and Learn to Improve Educational Outcomes for All Students
	Shout Out to the Teachers, Students, and Theater Artists Who Have Moved Me Forward
	What You Will Find in This Book
	Why Get Kids Learning Through Movement?
		Start with Students’ Health and Well-Being
		Movement and the Brain: What We Can Learn from Neuroscience
		Embodied Cognition: Connection of Mind and Body in Learning
		Acting and Cognitive Function
		Transmediation: Using a Multimodal Approach
		Benefits of Arts Integration
		Diversifying Our Teaching Methods to Better Serve Underserved Student Populations
		Importance of Student Engagement
	Book Overview
	Conclusion
	Note
	References
2. Getting Ready to Move
	Picture This….
	Routine and Novelty: Finding the Balance Between the Two
	Ok, I Moved the Desks Aside, Now What?!
	Two Thumbs Up for Establishing Boundaries and Agreements
		Agreement 1: Safety First
		Agreement 2: Try Everything … (at Least Once)
		Take 5
	Community-Building & Collaboration
		The Importance of Building Community
		Learning How to Collaborate: Foundational Skills
	Lesson Plans
	Bubbles
	Freeze
	Diamonds
	My Journey Today
	Rock Passing Game from Ghana
	References
3. Setting the Stage for Success
	Picture This….
	Theater Basics
		Building an Ensemble
	Key Ideas to Instill to Support Creative Work in Your Classroom
		Be Bold, Be Brave, and Make Strong Choices
		It’s More Than Ok to Be Silly
		Speak Up—Please Speak Up!
		The Body Is Your Instrument: Use It!
	Improvisation 101
		Say Yes
		Decide on Who, What, Where in Your Scene
	Foundational Structures for Integrating Theater and Movement into Your Classroom
		Sculpture Work
		Sidecoaching
		Use of Gestures
		Benefits of Performance and the Role of Audience/Observer
		Importance of Music
	Lesson Plans
	What Are You Doing?
	Sculptures
	Establishing a Where
	Freeze Improvisation
	Brown Bag Improv
	References
4. Leaping for Literacy
	Picture This….
	Research on the Benefits of Integrating Movement and Theater with Literacy
		Maximizing Learning with Multiliteracies
		Using a Multimodal Approach to ELA
		Transmediation and Literacy
	Storytelling and Theater
		An Example of Using Storytelling in Your Classroom
		Teaching Perspective
		Storytelling and Writing
	Integrating Theater into Your Literacy Lessons
		Reader as Actor
		Dramatizing a Scene from Your Read Aloud
	Staging a Fable or Folktale
	Lesson Plans for Integrating Theater and Dance with ELA
	Verb Dance
	Choral Reading
	Adverb Walk
	Poetry in Motion
	Vocab Fun
	“Run”—on–Sentence
	References
5. Moving Through History
	Picture This…
	Packing the Wagon: How Do We Make History Real and Relevant for Students?
	C3 Skill Building Using the Arts: Learning Skills that Prepare Students to Be Active Citizens in a Healthy Democracy
		Teaching Empathy
		Using Theater to Practice Empathy as Communication
		Teaching the Skill of Understanding Varying Perspectives
	Embodying Democracy
		Active Listening for Understanding
		Collaboration
	Playbuilding and Creating The Pioneer Musical: Integrating Theater and Movement with Westward Expansion Content
	Lesson Plans that Integrate Dance and Theater with Social Studies
	Writing Monologues
	Talking Tableaux
	Warming Up to History: “Chores”
	Diamonds and The Civil Rights Movement
	Scene Building for Historical Plays or Musicals
	Compass Rose and Moving Maps
	References
6. Moving Math
	Picture This…
	Embodied Cognition and Mathematical Understanding
	Use of Gesture to Learn Math Concepts
		Types of Gestures to Be Used in Math Class
		Metaphorical Gestures: Creating Gestures that Convey Meaning
		Gestures for Expressing Mathematical Concepts
	Using the Body to Explore and Model Complex Concepts
		“Acting out” Math Concepts
		Human Models
	Moving Math Lesson Plans
	“Square” Dance (Exploring Shapes)
	Math Groupings and Remainders
	Exploring Symmetry
	Living Lines
	Multiplication Square Dance
	Twirling 2s
	References
7. Science in Motion: Don’t Lose STEAM!
	Picture This…
	Embodied Cognition and the Use of Gesture in the Learning of Science
	Lessons from the Renaissance: Science and Art Are More Similar than Different
		Similarities in the Scientific Process and the Creative Process
		Dancers and the Body
		Following Curiosity: Inquiry in Science and Art
		Theater and Observation Skills
	Example of an Inquiry Science Lesson that Is Integrated with Movement to Explore How Animals Work Together to Survive
	“Acting” Out Scientific Concepts
	Science in Motion Lesson Plans
	A Storms a Brewin’: Dramatizing Weather Fronts
	Flocking
	Force and Motion: Types of Force
	Protons, Neutrons, and Atoms: Do opposites really attract?
	The Journey of a Monarch Butterfly, A Dramatization
	The Solar System: Dancing Through Space
	References
8. Moving Toward Authentic Assessments Using the Arts
	Picture This…
	The Benefits of Art Making for Assessment
	Becoming a Connoisseur or Curator: Viewing Assessment with an Artistic Lens
	Authentic Assessment and the Arts
		Evaluating Authentic Assessments
		Process over Product
	Assessing Students’ Developing Skills in Artmaking
		How to Assess Students’ Work in the Arts
		Using the National Core Arts Standards as a Guide
	Picture This…
	Sample Assessments
	Rubric for Assessing Competencies in the Performing Arts
	Self-Reflection Tool
	References