Let's+Dance+with+Degas+as+we+Delve+into+Literature 

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Let’s Dance with Degas as we Delve into Literature Overview. ..

Edgar Degas’ sculpture of the “Little Dancer,” the music of Tchaikovsky and a variety of colorful ribbons allow us to present a multitude of classroom experiences in dance, movement, mathematics, language arts, literature, poetry, fine art and art projects. In this workshop we explore some of these ideas for infusing the curriculum with the arts, as exemplified by the model arts-in-education grant, Art Smart.

Reading comprehension strategies. ..

Using //Marie in Fourth Position// by Littlesugar and Schoenherr, to practice the reading comprehensions strategy of predicting, we view objects and respond in writing. Our predictions are shared and adjusted as the story unfolds.

Literature and object-based learning. ..

We begin with a “peach ribbon.” It represents the ribbon used by Edgar Degas on the sculpture of the “Little Dancer.” In reading the book, //Degas and the Little Dancer//, a biography of Edgar Degas by Laurence Anholt, the students connect the object with the artwork in a story of friendship. Tchaikovsky’s music provides a background and a link to ballet.

Mathematics. ..

Mathematically, we explore a variety of ribbon lengths using estimation and measurement. Using these data, the students write open-ended math story problems to share and solve with their classmates. Also, in geometry, the students use ribbons as radiuses to create circles. A circle, in a large open area, thus becomes the foundation for the “ribbon dance” they create.

Hands-on art. ..

Classroom art projects include the use of ribbons of all colors, textures, lengths and widths. The students design streamers used to enhance the movements in their very own ribbon dance. They make ribbon weavings using “Y” shaped tree branches. Mosaics are created using thousands of little pieces of cut up “leftover” ribbons. The finished projects make a colorful display in any classroom.

Movement. ..

Using //Pas de Deux, Act 1, No.4,// a selection from Tchaikovsky’s //Swan Lake, Opus 20,// we create our own circle ribbon dance. The students are given an assortment of ribbons and encouraged to explore the ribbon’s motion with their movements. They listen to the music, identify its form by listening for repetition and contrast, and begin to express ideas for moving to the music. A dance is created and performed.

Poetry in motion. ..

In another session, Tchaikovsky’s music and Degas’ art are used to inspire imagery and poetic response from the children. Poetry is written and illustrated; then the form is extended a la Orff-Schulwerk to create ostinati, canon, pentatonic melodies, instrumental accompaniments, and movement ideas. These poetry performances become original student responses to the art and music.

Language arts. ..

In language arts, another focus is on biographies and autobiographies. The characteristic of an autobiography are emphasized with the reading of //I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina//—a girlhood story by Anna Pavlova. The illustrations in the book are the artwork of Degas, thus the students become familiar with more of his fine art. Anholt, Laurence. (1996). //[|Degas and the Little Dancer].// London, England: Frances Lincoln Ltd.
 * Books**

Littlesugar, Amy, Schoenherr, Ian. (1996). [|//Marie in Fourth Position//.]New York, New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.

Pavlova, Anna. (2001). //[|I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina].// New York, New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Sweeney, Joan. (1998). //[|The Kittens Who Danced for Degas]//. San Francisco, California: Chronicle Books.

Venezia, Mike. (2000). [|//Norman Rockwell//.] New York, New York: Children’s Press.

V’Ren, A. (2003). [|//Mary Smith//.] New York, New York: Farrar Straus and Giroux.

Tchaikovsky, P. I., //Swan Lake, Op. 20, Pas de deux, Act. 1 No. 4// (for ribbon dance)
 * Recorded Music**

Tchaikovsky, P. I., //Swan Lake, Scene (moderato) Act II// (background music for reading __Degas and the Little Dancer__

Tchaikovsky, P. I., //Marche Slave// (images/movement grade 2)

Williams, J., //Flying// (background music for reading __Tuesday)__

Norman Rockwell: The work displayed in this session represents typical units created and taught by ArtSmart schools in the Warren County School District. ArtSmart is a model arts-in-education dissemination grant, generously funded by the Department of Education. Presenters are a college methods professor, a third grade teacher, a first grade teacher, and an elementary librarian.
 * Fine Art**
 * The Watchmaker 1948
 * Union Station, Chicago Christmas 1944
 * Child Psychology 1933
 * Courting Couple at Midnight 1919
 * The High Dive 1947