Use of Performing Arts Techniques
January 18th, 2021
Astoria Lutheran School
Astoria Lutheran School
Arts Integration / Performance Art
Benefits and Challenges
Benefits | Challenges |
Can help clarify and deepen understanding of concepts | Lack of time for planning and preparation |
Increase student engagement, collaboration and builds confidence | Lack of teacher appreciation for art/performance |
Expand ways for students to express themselves through verbal and non-verbal communication | Lack of motivation/effort – risk taking is an uncomfortable feeling |
Display creative and engaging evidence of student learning throughout the school/community | Lack of knowledge and support |
Can be entertaining and fun | Can be messy! |
3K–PKA – Where the fun and dramatic play begins
This was part of the ‘Five Senses’ theme. The children counted the seeds, they had a pumpkin with numbers on it and they had to put the number of seeds in the pumpkin. They compared the outside of the seed versus the inside of the seed. They also planted some of the seeds to see what would happen before they made a pumpkin volcano!
Children all made Ginger Break Cookies and then role-played working in a bakery!
Kindergarten
Children use role play in ‘centers’ that are located throughout the room. In this activity the children learned about how Christmas traditions are celebrated around the word. They are given a ‘Passport’ with a stamp to indicate which country they visited. They then pack their suitcases!
In Kindergarten our theme is Winter! In reading we are learning about settings and the stories we are reading are all about things we do in winter! In Science we are learning about the states of matter! We took these two topics and put them together in our art center! The children begin with reviewing what type of matter ice is and when it melts what type of matter does it become? Using an ice cube and watercolor they watched the ice melt to activate the paint and used the ice cube to paint a Winter setting!
1st Grade Reader’s Theatre
Grade 1 read a play called, “Smile, Mike!” about a baby named Mike, who won’t stop crying. The class read the play together. Then some of the children read the parts of Baby Mike, Mom, Dad, brother Juan, sister Anna, Gram, Pops and Spike, the dog. He was the one who made Baby Mike smile!
2nd Grade – Charades! The students were called up and asked to think of either a noun, an adjective or an action verb (or they could ask for one). The class was only told the part of speech. Only after someone called out the correct answer was it written on the board. It truly reinforced a concept that is usually forgotten!
3rd and 4th Grade
Children learn by doing! Here they are pretending to be archaeologists digging for artifacts. We also had the children learn about Native American art and different instruments after which they performed with them!
5th and 6th Grade
Grades 5 and 6 held their mock trial for Byron Watson, a character from the book The Watson’s Go To Birmingham. Students have been working on their cases with the charges of murder (of a bird) and assault. 7th and 8th grade were invited as jury as they read the book with Mrs. Kump two years ago.
The verdict was not guilty on the charge of murdering the bird and a hung jury on the case of assault. It was a great way to dig into the novel and analyze the motives behind the character. Thank you to everyone who dressed their part, brought in evidence, and help their team compile questions. Thank you, Mrs. Kump!
Author’s Corner and Family Trees
Use of Tableau
One arts-integrated teaching strategy that drama teaching artists use to help students make mental images is Tableau. Tableau is the theatrical technique in which actors freeze in poses that create a picture of one important moment in the play.
Art
“Art has many given functions; to beautify, to commemorate, to record history, as well as to respond to issues both personal and societal. In my lessons, I attempt to incorporate key issues like important cultural events and find ways in which a child can respond artistically to any given subject. “
Hispanic Heritage Week; Frida Kahlo Blind Contour Drawings (Mixed Media on Paper)
Contour Drawings of Fallen Leaves; Plein Air Unit (Pencil on Paper)
Black History Month; John Lewis Extend-a-Drawing (Mixed Media on Paper)
Asian American and Pacific Islander Awareness Month: Ming Vase Unit (Mixed Media sketches and Model Magic Sculptures)
Arts Integration
Special Events
Here I am interviewing Martin Luther who made a guest appearance in Chapel!
Chapel – 1st Grade
Career Day and Culture Day!
Chrysalis – Butterflies are free to fly!
Farmer Dan – Seed planting and harvesting!