Free to Move While Learning

By Susan Kramer

How to teach kindergarten and elementary school age students kinesthetically, in a fully illustrated text, outlining body placement, rhythms, dynamics of energy, creative movement, large motor skills, beginning mini-lessons, one-hand alphabet, and a 40-minute lesson plan divided into 5 minute segments. Master text for teachers on how to use a kinesthetic approach with academics. Included in the Rhythmic Movement Dance Series of The Gateway to Educational Materials of the United States Department of Education. Also for special needs students. Click on preview to see complete table of contents.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781300001898

Book preview

Free to Move While Learning

Free to Move While Learning

by Susan Kramer

Dedication

To Ted Shawn who inspired me while his student to consider using dance skills creatively to teach basic academics.

Free to Move While Learning

ISBN: 978-1-300-00189-8

Copyright © 2012 Susan Kramer

Santa Barbara, California

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This text is in of the Rhythmic Movement Dance Series part of the

Gateway to Educational Material (GEM)

of the United States Department of Education.

Introduction

Body-Mind-Spirit

harmoniously bound

circling in patterns, rhythms, in time, place, space.

Harmony of body and mind

in cooperation within the individual; together in group interaction

patterns a lifetime of harmonious living in society.

This text/workbook draws on my experience as a dance specialist since 1965 in teaching basic academic concepts using a series of sequentially more complex rhythmic body movements combined and expanded into patterns.

Language, reading, math, writing

science, humanities, technology, the arts

contain rhythmic elements or patterns.

Patterns of rhythmic movement using opposition of arms and legs help develop right-left brain linkage.

Example: walking steps with arms swinging at sides; as left foot steps forward, right arm swings forward.

The nerve endings in sense organs feed the brain information for analysis and reflection through hearing; seeing; feeling in muscles, on skin and in motion; tasting; smelling.

Allowing the student to learn with as many senses as possible helps instill new concepts, including basic academics.

This theory of teaching, learning, using the bodily senses - body to mind, powered by spirited, enthusiastic energy - is a basis of somatic education and kinesthetic learning.

Part I

Anatomy as Applied to Teaching Movement

1. Body Placement

Side view of correct posture.

Vertical line illustrates alignment:

Ears over shoulders -

Over hip bones -

Weight divided evenly in the triangle between toes and heels -

Whole foot on floor -

Balance centered just forward of shin bone at ankle.

When standing on one leg the weight should be divided over the supporting foot, extending in a straight column upward. Center of leg upward through center of torso.