2nd 6 Weeks Brings the STEAM
I have been given the phenomenal opportunity to teach a class that focuses on developing and teaching STEAM infused dance classes to elementary students.
For the 1st 6 weeks we have been creating classroom posters, going on music scavenger hunts, watching STEAM-dance videos, and practicing creating and teaching lessons.
Then finally it happen, the week they have been waiting for….Week #1!!
On Wednesday, we traveled to the school to practice all protocols and get a tour of the school. They prepared the room and put up their posters, getting so very excited for our 1st day.
Our 1st lesson was designed to reinforce mathematics through dance in a variety of fun movement based activities. We return next week to review and create a math based dance.
Snap shot of today’s activities:
1. Name Game: creating movements to represent ourselves as we say names, everyone repeats
2. Hungry Hippos warm-up: card deck on iPad and a list of movement choices displayed on screen: draw 2 cards, add them together, then multiply by 2. After that, pick a movement from the list and complete that many repetitions. Then one person from the group hops to the center bucket to get a tennis ball and run it back to your team bucket. Continue for a determined length of time or until the center bucket is empty. Each group can count the number of balls in their bucket to determine who had the most.
3. Math Equations: using card deck on screen, draw 2 numbers. Move forward with the directed locomotor movement for the 1st number and then move backward for the 2nd number, clap the remainder/answer to the equation.
4. Shape Creator: using Google slides to display shapes with photos, have students try making various geometric shapes with their bodies and/or with others.
5. Equation Dance: For example: 4+2; make a combination of movements that add up to 4, make a plus sign, make a movement that has 2 moves, make an equal sign, then perform the 2 movements together.
The entire room was in full smiles, bodies were sweating, and the laughter was loud. Although my student will have some reflections to do to continue to refine their teaching practices over this year, we can celebrate how smooth it went and the fun and memories that were created for all.
I can not wait to see what they will create for next week!
