Learning through Stories in Motion – Integrating Reading with Dance

Learning through Stories in Motion – Integrating Reading with Dance

Our residency Learning through Stories in Motion will give elementary students of all abilities the opportunity to connect literacy skills with dance and movement. We will create meaningful, arts-integrated lessons that enhance teachers’ literacy instruction and foster important literacy skills in students. We can customize the residency to include literature chosen by the classroom teacher or we can provide the content ourselves. One popular choice for the classroom is the book How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder which is a wonderfully diverse story full of important SEL themes. Our movement activities will encourage students to “dance the story” while learning vocabulary, phonics and reading comprehension strategies. Lessons are based upon and aligned with the NC ELA Standard Course of Study and NC Essential Standards for Dance. This residency engages all learners through multi-sensory experiences and active participation. Movement is a powerful learning tool that we want to bring to your classrooms!

Use this link to view a video except from this program: https://youtube.com/shorts/xY6R1qxunws?feature=share


Artist Background

Lauren Youngman and Heather Pike are dance educators who have over 15 years experience teaching movement classes to children of all abilities in arts integrated settings. They have worked as teaching artists for the Carolina Ballet in residencies for both Title 1 and Special Education Pre K Classrooms as well as the Wake Co. Reading to Achieve Camps. In addition, Lauren and Heather have worked with Arts Access teaching residencies and workshops. Studio experience includes Arts Together, ADF’s Samuel H. Scripps Studio and Barriskill Dance. Recently, Lauren became a Fellow for A+ schools and Heather is pursuing her graduate degree in Dance Education from UNCG. Together they have also conducted several professional development workshops, including presentations for A+ schools and ArtsR4life. Currently, Lauren and Heather are working with Pre-K students with disabilities in Wake County, through a contract funded by the VSA Kennedy Center with support from Arts Together in Raleigh.


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