What a great time! Personally I think the hugging should have started last year...But then, as Snoopy once said "On with the dance, and let joy be unconfined!!" The question Cathy asked about using dance to teach division was marvelous (I would have gone to math class with no hesitation had they taught foursome and eightsome reels.) His observations about the power of the circle and the lines was just amazing. Anyone ever had the opportunity to read "The Seven Arrows"? It talks about the power of the circle and the great medicine wheel...some of the same thoughts we heard tonight. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 1999

Answers

I too had a great time. Wouldn't it be wonderful if education could be that much fun all the time. When I read the chapter on kinesthetic learning I was just loving it. The story at the beginning of the chapter "Paula's Dance" was a wonderful success story. Thinking of ways to reach all students and help them feel successful at some level is exciting. Thank you to Terrance Smith and to all my fellow dancers it was a fun night. Maybe we should invite him back for a graduation celebration.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 1999

Well, I was a little intimidated--the shy side of me came out. I found it difficult to "strut, Miss Lizzie" as I remember calling that dance in grade school. In grade school I remember it being such fun and as an adult, feeling a little stupid--lots of barriers up. Even among all of you, it was difficult for me. But I wish it wasn't. I think of actors on a stage and the fun they must have stepping into someone else's life--manner of speech, clothing, ideas--and how that would be so liberating. By the end of the evening, I was feeling more relaxed and it would be so much fun to be able to share in a circle or a line and participate with great abandonment. I'm not quite there yet, but with practice--yes. Kinesthetic learning is very interesting--I didn't think of all the activities it involves. I even noticed sewing in the list of likely talents--one of my loves at which I have had some success. The more of the chapter I read, the more convinced I am that kinesthetic intelligence is one that my learning might be strongly linked with. The doing part of it, for sure. My daughter is studying in a rainforest in Australia this semester. She has always been a very good student, but as I was talking to her last Tuesday morning she said that studying for the test is so much easier because she has actually participated in the activities she is tested on. That too is part of kinesthetic learning. I like it.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 1999

What a hoot! Anyone who didn't have a smile on their face during class on Thursday is beyond all hope. And here all this time I thought we were just a bunch of intellectual stiffs - I was wrong. We can "cut a rug"!" The idea of incorporating "circles" into our lives is very significant and spiritual. Seven Arrows is a good book, Dave. I read it after you suggested it to me last year. As we all go throughout our lives this week, be aware of the "circles" we already have and don't know it. Dana

-- Anonymous, March 13, 1999

After our session Thursday night, I was thinking that this chilly, sloppy, often-gray time of year wouldn't be so bad if we could dance once a week. So let's do it again next week. I agree with Barb: wouldn't it be great if learning could always be that fun? My students are acting out scenes from "Julius Caesar" right now, so they're definitely doing kinesthetic learning, but I wish I could teach that way more often. I have several students who I can tell are kinesthetic learners, and it's so amazing to see them excel for once. This subject of multiple intelligences is so relevant to my everyday teaching. I was enthusiastically telling my speech class (juniors and seniors) about the girl who learned to read and spell better by dancing out the letters, and they all just kind of stared at me. Maybe they were all trying to picture themselves doing something that bizarre! Do any of you teachers of younger students use methods like this? By the way -- Frank -- if you read this -- APA does have a section on dashes. It reads: "Use the dash to indicate only a sudden interruption in the continuity of a sentence. Overuse weakens the flow of material." Example: "These 2 participants -- 1 from the first group, 1 from the second -- were tested separately." Page 65.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 1999

I felt so energized after Thursday's class. On the way home, I was thinking of other ways that I could have strutted down the alley. I had a great time and it was great to see everyone else enjoying themselves in the midst of trying to make deadlines in our very busy lives. My Spanish II kids are in the command unit and I always give a written test at the end. In addition, I have students do a demonstration speech which most kids really enjoy watching and participating in. But I am considering not giving the written test this year. Instead, I will have students do their demonstration speech as their final evaluation of this unit and as always the emphasis will be on the students connection of the command with the physical demonstration of each command. Gloria had mentioned that the medium of the final in the course she took on Multiple Intelligences was up to the students and could have been taken/performed in any of the intelligences. Her words had influenced me to make this change.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 1999

Yes, I did have a good time. Like some of you I felt a little shy and stilted, but I felt comfortable with the group and it's been a loooooong time since I've danced, so I gotta say that it felt great!!. Terrance has a wonderful talent for helping people loosen up and have fun. I've been thinking about kinesthetic learning all week. On Thursday afternoon I took all the fifth-graders out to tap maple trees. Science is a great place to use kinesthetic practices and to see kids have success. My students had a great time outside. One of the down sides to using kinesthetic methods is that it really gets the kids riled up. Now, that may be a good thing, but there is a time and place for everything and when transitions need to happen (and they do need to happen many times during a school day), I find it difficult to settle the kids down. Any thoughts? One more thing, I also loved the mental images I got when reading the first story in the chapter. I was somehow how reminded of the PM (perpetual motion) dancers I used to see at Grateful Dead concerts. Their movements were so fluid and graceful--just like I imagine the girl as she danced her alphabet and spelling words.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 1999

Hey Laura, would there be an application of the breathing techniques that Melanie and Jackie and Wade are working on to bring the kids back to "center" and channel some of that energy? Seems to me it is one of the keys for the lock...

-- Anonymous, March 15, 1999

Yep, the dancing sure was fun! After the winter hibernation, getting the juices flowing again was a rush! The folk music brought back my Girl Scout days and summer camp.

I liked the touch, too. In our high tech society I am finding that people need a higher dose of "touch." Yes, indeed, the physical touching of hands and hugs, but also the face-to-face contact and communication with other people, especially people to whom we feel connected. (By the way, THE HUGS WERE GREAT!) As a teacher of office technology, I will have to think hard about how to use kinesthetic learning in my class. The act of keyboarding is certainly kinesthetic, but comprehending what they are doing is the students' task.

I found myself smirking as I listened to Terrance. He had such enthusiasm and absolutely no direction to what he was saying! He had many good things to share with us, and his mannerisms and expressions captured us into listening and believing all that he said.

Next time, let's vary the music and try Sly and the Family Stone or some other such funky stuff!! (Ok, I'm dating myself!)

-- Anonymous, March 15, 1999

As long as my second graders seem to need to move on a regular basis why not channel that motion into dance or other kinesthetic activities to promote a sense of expression and build confidence. I have decided to use my fifteen minutes after library to have my students participate in dance in the gym. That's all the time I have in the gym, but as the weather improves I can see taking it outside when the class seems to need to move. It will help them use their energy and build community, a concept I like. Then I can bring them back to more structured and quiet work inside. It will help me relax more when their movement inside the classroom starts to get to me. I think we all will benefit. Dance for the sake of dance seems to be worth the time even if it doesn't teach academic concepts.

-- Anonymous, March 15, 1999

I am glad that everyone enjoyed dancing as much as I did. Dance has always been a favorite activity for me. My mother has a funny old home movie with me wearing new red shoes dancing away on top of a picnic table when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I took modern dance lessons while I was in high school and later studied a little ballet, as well as jazz dance and performed in some theater productions at UWS. I had an excellent teacher who had studied under Gus Giordano, who is one of my favorite choreographers. What I like about the folk dances that Terrence shared with us is that they are simple enough to allow everyone to succeed and that they have such a wonderful cultural aspect. The traditions of old-fashioned barn dances, Maypole dances, dancing in the logging camps, meeting to dance at the crossroads in the country, and rolling up the carpets in homes to make room to dance are important aspects of cultural history. Dance is culturally universal, and is a wonderful way to share and learn about other cultures.

Dance can also really build a sense of community. I have observed Terrence working with students of all ages during some of his Depot Outreach residencies in the schools. It is always great to see children overcome those obstacles of holding hands with someone of the opposite sex or someone they don't particularly like. Teachers have indicated that there are lasting results of the dances by improved behaviors at the schools. This is especially true when the principal, teachers, and staff dance along with the children. The kids can see an entire school working together in cooperative fun.

Anyway, thanks for welcoming Terrence into our "circle." I know he had a great time as well!

-- Anonymous, March 16, 1999

Hey, I finally found my my way to the discussion page! Terrence Smith mentioned Native American dance a couple of times. So I'll tell you a bit more. Circles, circles are very important!! Anishinabe people have a dance called a Snake dance. I haven't seen it danced for a few years. I can't seem to remember exactly how it goes. But the end is cool. The dancers jump into a new life as they shed their old skin. They dance their style. The Snake dance we did, reminded me of a couple's dance we do called a 49. I don't know why its called this or the Ojibwe name. I'll find out. This particular dance also includes arches and a final joined circle to end this song. Our singers need powerful voices to last this dance.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 1999

What a great idea Dave! I'll look into more stuff about this (maybe I'll just read the awesome thesis when it's done :-) ). Gayle, I'm glad you made it on the web! I'm really interested in the Native American dances you mentioned. I especially liked the idea of the Snake dance and shedding old "skins"! Let us know more when you find more info.!

-- Anonymous, March 17, 1999

When I learned we were going to be dancing that night, I was a little apprehensive. I hadn't done any folk dancing since junior high school. Once we started and everyone was into the dancing, I started to relax and ended up having a wonderful time. I wish I had enough confidence to do an activity like this in my class. I think I would have a mutiny on my hands. I thought Terrance was an excellent teacher and could do a better job than I could, so I will leave the dances to him.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 1999

What a treat to read all the answers on the site! I was feeling grumpy, and the great memories and experiences you shared made me smile. (And I may just do an Irish jig after I am done here!) I too was glad to see Gayle's comments and would like to know more about the power of the circle and dance in Native American cultures and in Asian, too. I only wish that my two Native American students were in families that made their culture an important part of their lives. We all know how vital a sense of belonging is.

Our 5th grade students are doing a "mini" dance unit in their physical education classes these next several weeks. It is interesting to see reactions of fifth graders to holding hands. Just imagine if they had to hug! They are also now giving demonstration speeches. It is fun to watch the ones shine who can't write a sentence or spell. Some have such social graces at such young ages. We just finished putting on reader's theater and plays,too. Again, this gives students a different way of being competent. Please continue to share other ways you have your students use movement, dance, or other kinesthetic means to learn. I am trying the idea of drawing countries in the air to learn them, but boy have I got a lot to learn myself. Wasn't smart to pick Indonesia!!

I don't know if anyone will read this since class is tomorrow...but wanted to share anyway. I alternated between having a good time and feeling awkward last week. However, I would certainly dance again if the opportunity arose. I wonder how musical intelligence ties in with this intelligence? See you all tomorrow.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 1999

Hello All, I am always awe struck by how much talent and ability we have in our cohort. Last night was a good example of that. The lessons that were given were wonderful! Fun too! The students in your classes are very lucky. Thanks Dana, Ed, Peg, Dave and Rebeca.....go Cohort 2! Jackie

-- Anonymous, March 19, 1999

Hi everyone! I to finally found my way back here. It was a long hall with many HTTP server unavailables... But, here I go. Tonight (The dance night) was wonderful! I loved it. I too feel that circles are improtant and powerful. I have tried out a couple dances with my second graders, (Sally down the ally, the Snake, Bingo, and MozzodioZ), the students really loved them. For the most part they worked together.

I second the motion to invite him back for our graduation party! Ronda

-- Anonymous, April 07, 1999