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Get Up Offa That Thing!

Ian Stillmunks

Dancing in the K-5 Classroom

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Ian Stillmunks

MODERN BAND

I’m a general music teacher!

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I am moving to Minneapolis in August!

Anyone from Minnesota??

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I was most recently the K-5 Lower School music teacher at AIE Charter School in Miami Springs!

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Why Dance?

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There are two main reasons why I believe it is imperative to add dance in the classroom

  • Music and dance are two sides of the same coin!

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  • Dancing helps to set focus and intention for the lesson

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“Just dance!”

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This doesn’t help.

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Many students enjoy dancing, but lack the confidence or the moves to do so

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Why do you think the dab, floss, whip and nae nae, lean back, etc. etc. etc. got so popular?

  • It is a short, pre-made, simple dance that students feel comfortable copying

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“I have a dance, but I need to show you a few moves first”

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This DOES help.

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Best Practices

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  • Show, then tell, without music�
  • Leave space for eye rollers, non-movers, heavy-sighers, etc.

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  • Keep most moves simple, build to something challenging

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  • Remember that this is a warm up, not a performance.

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Waka Waka

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Perfection

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Isn’t fun

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Bottom line:

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Students will only buy it if you sell it!

  • Don’t draw attention to their mistakes OR your mistakes
  • Refresh and rephrase negative self talk. Use phrases like “This is one of my favorite moves!” Instead of “This is the only move I can sort of do.”

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  • Unless a student is intentionally distracting others with their moves, allow space for improvisation

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Seasonal Dances

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Are fun!

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Time Warp

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Best Practices

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  • Leave space for improvisation

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  • Encourage structured silliness

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  • Seasonal dances build anticipation and can function as good benchmarks for the year

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You can choreograph too! So can your students!

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  • Suggestions like “Go crazy” or “Jump up and down” don’t fit a musical beat very well

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  • Use games to work on improvising short moves

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  • Let’s try some games and choreographing together!

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Jump in the Line

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Your turn!

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  • Find a small group and choose a song.

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  • Work together to choreograph the first verse and chorus

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  • Uh yeah… we want to see a few brave choreographed songs

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Thank you!

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