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DanceQuirks Movement Stories for the Classroom!
Huh? What is this?
Huh? What is this?
This is a one-time special presentation for your classroom. This interactive program integrates movement with academic curriculum and frames it in a story. ("Choose Your Themes" sessions are also available).
This is a one-time special presentation for your classroom. This interactive program integrates movement with academic curriculum and frames it in a story. ("Choose Your Themes" sessions are also available).
I still don't get it. What do you mean?
I still don't get it. What do you mean?
Basically, I come into your classroom with a variety of props. We clear the desks/tables to the sides of the room to create a "stage space" and then I tell a story. The stories cover various themes and coordinate with an aspect or several aspects of the academic curriculum. Each of the students at different times have an opportunity to come up to be part of the story if they'd like. The students have fun and review what they know on a topic or they learn new related content.
Basically, I come into your classroom with a variety of props. We clear the desks/tables to the sides of the room to create a "stage space" and then I tell a story. The stories cover various themes and coordinate with an aspect or several aspects of the academic curriculum. Each of the students at different times have an opportunity to come up to be part of the story if they'd like. The students have fun and review what they know on a topic or they learn new related content.
What kinds of parts do the volunteers have?
What kinds of parts do the volunteers have?
There are many different volunteer roles throughout the scenes of the show. For example, some younger students might come up to be the squirrels in the story while a few students in the older grades might help construct simple machines using their bodies.
There are many different volunteer roles throughout the scenes of the show. For example, some younger students might come up to be the squirrels in the story while a few students in the older grades might help construct simple machines using their bodies.
How long is the program?
How long is the program?
The programs are between 1 and 2 periods long - so 45 min to 90 min - depending on the story. Please see Programs pages for story descriptions and length of programs.
The programs are between 1 and 2 periods long - so 45 min to 90 min - depending on the story. Please see Programs pages for story descriptions and length of programs.
What grade is this for?
What grade is this for?
There are a variety of story programs that are appropriate for different grade levels. Please see Programs pages for story descriptions and appropriate grade levels.
There are a variety of story programs that are appropriate for different grade levels. Please see Programs pages for story descriptions and appropriate grade levels.
How does this compare to other dance programs?
How does this compare to other dance programs?
The DanceQuirks program starts with academics and classroom curriculum and then uses movement and dance to support it.
The DanceQuirks program starts with academics and classroom curriculum and then uses movement and dance to support it.
Imagine having a one-time assembly program, but it's in your classroom just for your students. The theme is related to your classroom curriculum and all of the students in your class get an opportunity to be part of the show.
Imagine having a one-time assembly program, but it's in your classroom just for your students. The theme is related to your classroom curriculum and all of the students in your class get an opportunity to be part of the show.
How will this benefit students?
How will this benefit students?
As you are probably aware, there has been a plethora of research that significantly indicates the benefits of kinesthetic learning. DanceQuirks' unique story form takes kinesthetic learning to a deeper level as the students are invested in the story. At times, the audience must either use their knowledge of a topic to progress the plot or they learn new information within the context of the character's plight.
As you are probably aware, there has been a plethora of research that significantly indicates the benefits of kinesthetic learning. DanceQuirks' unique story form takes kinesthetic learning to a deeper level as the students are invested in the story. At times, the audience must either use their knowledge of a topic to progress the plot or they learn new information within the context of the character's plight.
For example, in one of the stories, a character is caught on a windy day as a poem about wind is presented. The audience listens to the poem with sharpened focus, because they are concerned about the character's safety.
For example, in one of the stories, a character is caught on a windy day as a poem about wind is presented. The audience listens to the poem with sharpened focus, because they are concerned about the character's safety.
When learning is done in the context of a story, it also creates opportunities to combine many aspects of the curriculum. Thus, an activity in a scene might draw on the students' knowledge in Math and English simultaneously, connecting the subjects in a holistic way. A student once commented, "Wow, I feel like we just danced the whole classroom!"
When learning is done in the context of a story, it also creates opportunities to combine many aspects of the curriculum. Thus, an activity in a scene might draw on the students' knowledge in Math and English simultaneously, connecting the subjects in a holistic way. A student once commented, "Wow, I feel like we just danced the whole classroom!"
My classroom feels too small for a dance performance. How does that work?
My classroom feels too small for a dance performance. How does that work?
This presentation will work in any classroom, no matter how small. Tables/desks/chairs are moved to the sides to create an open space in front of the rug/meeting area. Typically, the students sit on the rug and face out to the open space. As safety is a priority, there are only a few students moving at once in the "stage space." This works well, as students each have their special moments and then they are audience members for their peers. Because it's in the classroom for a small group, the students are less inhibited about getting up "on stage." Additionally, there are other opportunities for students to do more stationary movements from their audience spot as a group.
This presentation will work in any classroom, no matter how small. Tables/desks/chairs are moved to the sides to create an open space in front of the rug/meeting area. Typically, the students sit on the rug and face out to the open space. As safety is a priority, there are only a few students moving at once in the "stage space." This works well, as students each have their special moments and then they are audience members for their peers. Because it's in the classroom for a small group, the students are less inhibited about getting up "on stage." Additionally, there are other opportunities for students to do more stationary movements from their audience spot as a group.
Obviously, if there is an all-purpose classroom available, this is ideal, so set-up is done in this space and classes rotate in. If no such room is available (which is typically the case), then going from room to room is absolutely fine.
Obviously, if there is an all-purpose classroom available, this is ideal, so set-up is done in this space and classes rotate in. If no such room is available (which is typically the case), then going from room to room is absolutely fine.
*Please note that auditoriums are not preferred or recommended. Because of the constant flow of volunteers coming up, the chairs and stairs become cumbersome. (Though, a stage can be used if necessary as a common space with the students sitting on the stage and the curtains drawn to make an enclosed room.)
Can I invite another class to join us?
Can I invite another class to join us?
Sure! Some teachers prefer to keep this as a special activity for their own class and other teachers find that making it a joined activity with another class works well. It is best to discuss this when scheduling, since class size, room size, presentation choice, scheduling parameters and cost can help weigh your decision either way.
Sure! Some teachers prefer to keep this as a special activity for their own class and other teachers find that making it a joined activity with another class works well. It is best to discuss this when scheduling, since class size, room size, presentation choice, scheduling parameters and cost can help weigh your decision either way.
What kinds of stories are these?
What kinds of stories are these?
As you can see from the Programs Description page, some stories are adapted from existing material ("The Nutcracker" and "The Beautiful Butterfly," based on the book, The Beautiful Butterfly, by Judy Sierra, copyright 1996. Adapted with permission of the author).
As you can see from the Programs Description page, some stories are adapted from existing material ("The Nutcracker" and "The Beautiful Butterfly," based on the book, The Beautiful Butterfly, by Judy Sierra, copyright 1996. Adapted with permission of the author).
The other stories are original pieces. Some stories have a clear storyline and some have a looser story structure to accommodate varied academic content in classrooms. For example, in third grade, there are classes that are studying China or Native American Culture, or Rainforest Animals, or geographical definitions, or cursive writing, and so on. So the "Third-Grade Adventure" has a flexible story structure where scenes can be plugged in and/or pulled out in order to tailor it more specifically to a classroom's themes and needs.
The other stories are original pieces. Some stories have a clear storyline and some have a looser story structure to accommodate varied academic content in classrooms. For example, in third grade, there are classes that are studying China or Native American Culture, or Rainforest Animals, or geographical definitions, or cursive writing, and so on. So the "Third-Grade Adventure" has a flexible story structure where scenes can be plugged in and/or pulled out in order to tailor it more specifically to a classroom's themes and needs.
How do you know what we're doing in our classroom?
How do you know what we're doing in our classroom?
I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!
I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!
Based on experience with teaching and consulting with administrators and teachers, the stories focus on curricular topics in grades that are consistent with Common Core Standards.
Based on experience with teaching and consulting with administrators and teachers, the stories focus on curricular topics in grades that are consistent with Common Core Standards.
With that said, there are opportunities to tailor stories with details from YOUR classroom. YOUR curriculum map (or any version of curriculum notes or bullet points) is welcome and appreciated - please email it in! If you decide to add in any details (bullet points fine!) - that would be great. This way the stories can be tailored more specifically when possible to your own class curriculum. Additionally, new stories can be created and modified with the information I receive from teachers - so thanks! More details on this... This is particularly helpful for the "Choose Your Themes" session.
With that said, there are opportunities to tailor stories with details from YOUR classroom. YOUR curriculum map (or any version of curriculum notes or bullet points) is welcome and appreciated - please email it in! If you decide to add in any details (bullet points fine!) - that would be great. This way the stories can be tailored more specifically when possible to your own class curriculum. Additionally, new stories can be created and modified with the information I receive from teachers - so thanks! More details on this... This is particularly helpful for the "Choose Your Themes" session.
How does scheduling work?
How does scheduling work?
DanceQuirks runs in Scheduling Cycles (usually monthly). When the available schedule dates come out for a particular month, an email goes out first to those who have expressed advance interest. Please email info@dancequirks.com with your contact information and story presentation that you're interested in so that you can receive an email when the show dates are available (please note that there's no obligation to book something.) Shows run for a few months at a time, so it typically coincides with the month a teacher feels it is timely with their curriculum. Please see Programs page for typical months that the story is available.
DanceQuirks runs in Scheduling Cycles (usually monthly). When the available schedule dates come out for a particular month, an email goes out first to those who have expressed advance interest. Please email info@dancequirks.com with your contact information and story presentation that you're interested in so that you can receive an email when the show dates are available (please note that there's no obligation to book something.) Shows run for a few months at a time, so it typically coincides with the month a teacher feels it is timely with their curriculum. Please see Programs page for typical months that the story is available.
How much does the program cost?
How much does the program cost?
The cost of the program is dependent on number of shows, location, etc....
The cost of the program is dependent on number of shows, location, etc....
Please email or call for rates:
Please email or call for rates:
917-861-4532
917-861-4532
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