Here’s a lesson I’ve used with 5th graders over the years. Often I integrate this lesson with other lessons on Martin Luke King Jr. and Alvin Ailey, since they were contemporaries — all alive & working toward change during the civil rights movement.* I’m posting this lesson just now in response to a Read & […]
Entries Tagged as 'African American'
Choreographers can be inspired by poetry!
January 19th, 2012 · 6 Comments · Uncategorized
Tags:African American·choreography·curriculum·literature·teaching
Performance aftermath
June 5th, 2011 · Comments Off · Uncategorized
Today I made it to the exhibit Nick Cave: Meet Me At the Center of the Earth at the Seattle Art Museum — its last day here! I’ve had it on my list to go since before it even arrived, so when I realized today was it, I called a friend, grabbed breakfast & took […]
Whispers barely heard in the current cacophony on education
November 14th, 2010 · 4 Comments · Uncategorized
Yipes. I’ve had too much on my plate of late to blog. But this is still a place to capture & share thoughts for later.. Play is a central condition for learning. There are & have always been teachers who know that play is central to learning. When I have time, perhaps I’ll elaborate on […]
Tags:African American·dancing·intermediate·lesson plans·management·primary·why dance matters
Dancing for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 16th, 2010 · 4 Comments · Lesson Plans
Context: I taught this series of lessons this week in response to a late request for some dances for the school’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day assembly (scheduled for & completed this past Thursday). My initial response was “no can do!” because I’d already planned my classes — focused on introducing the choreographic devices of […]
Tags:African American·choreography·curriculum integration·intermediate·lesson plans·performance·teaching
Taking our show on the road
November 12th, 2008 · Comments Off · Uncategorized
I took one dance and 7 dancers on the road last week. The schedule made a lot of sense. We were invited to perform a cultural dance at an arts forum; a second opportunity to perform at a professional development conference was two days later. Small group, recess-time rehearsals, short dance, two quick trips, good […]
Heart o’ gold
August 24th, 2008 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized
I’m going to miss Jamal! He graduated, and he won’t be back this year. He was on my mind as I drove to school the other day to get ready. When he arrived in my class two years ago, he was in 4th grade and surly. New school, new classmates, new teacher… and dance?!? His […]