Kids on the Move project

Kids on the Move

A multi-pronged professional development model

Kids on the Move

all components of this program are stand- alone and can be replicated anywhere.

This is a collaborative experiential professional development project that is based on Together in Dance’s exemplary model of dance education. This was a pilot project that was successfully implemented in a school district in Queens, NY. where dance is included in the physical education curriculum for all students. Begun in 2002 with nine physical educators and 30 K-2 grade teachers working with Together in Dance facilitators, interdisciplinary thematic units incorporating dance within the physical education and core curricula were created. Other aspects of the project included exploring dance as a discrete subject in after-school creative movement labs, curriculum writing sessions with participating teachers and parent dance workshops.

Table of Contents

Professional Development

Afterschool Creativity Labs

Parent Participation

Curriculum writing sessions

Professional Development

9 school teams-

5 days of professional development

5 Co-teaching sessions

consisting of: Physical Educator, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade teacher with Together in Dance workshop facilitators at each school, every other week in the classroom with teacher or physical educator Each team of teachers comes from each of the participating schools. The teachers are chosen by the principal or elect into the program. All of the teachers participate in the Professional Development workshop days. These are facilitated by Together in Dance staff. The curriculum for these workshops includes creative dance skills, elements, integration into curriculum, music, reflection and assessment.

Creative Movement Labs

4 afterschool professional development sessions

12 afterschool sessions with students

6 co-teaching afterschool sessions with TID staff

Students will perform at culminating “Celebration”

2 teachers from each of the schools elect into the afterschool Creativity Labs . Students will self select into the afterschool program. Teachers will learn to teach dance as a discreet subject with students creating their own dance pieces. TID staff will act as mentor/coaches helping teachers define and teach their curriculum. Each school creative movement lab group will perform on stage with all 9 schools in attendance

Parent Participation

Parents will be invited to attend informances

Parents will attend the final culminating “Celebration

There will be 3 early morning dance workshops

There will be 1 evening workshop

A Saturday family workshop

An “Informance” is an informal/informational/performance showing the parents the skills,vocabulary, and dance concepts learned, as well as the dancemaking process

The final celebration is on a stage and will present the afterschool creativity lab students performing the work that they have created under the direction of the teachers and TID staff The Saturday workshop is for parents and their child. All parent workshops are open to the entire school parent body. Parents will learn the skills their child is learning.

Curriculum Writing Sessions

Open to all participating teachers

10 afterschool session with teachers and TID facilitator

Kids on The Move Resource book created to go with video

These sessions take place after school and the participating teachers are involved in Kids on the Move. Resource book available . These sessions enable teachers, under the guidance of a Together in Dance Facilitator, to compile the lesson plans and related documents into resource guidebook.