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Fourth Grade Teacher
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In this article: The
development of Math
in Your Feet, Teaching
Artist Journal 9:2,
78-89. (2011)
REFLECT
Math in Your Feet addresses all the mathematical practices imbedded in the Common Core State Standards.
LEARN
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Percussive dance is the platform for a robust choreographic inquiry into mathematical thinking, practices and topics.
Math in Your Feet is an integration of two separate but highly complementary and creative paths of inquiry. Percussive dance is a rhythmic and physical expression of time and space using foot-based dance patterns. Mathematics is the ‘science of patterns’ initially developed to understand, describe, and manipulate the physical world.
Integrating these two subjects has a lot to offer kinesthetic young learners. Decades of research shows that movement is a necessary element in learning and brain development. We all need to move to understand but for children it is essential.
To this end, Math in Your Feet combines math, dance, rhythm, and the creative process to make the abstract world of mathematics concrete. This program builds a deeper understanding of mathematical topics and practices and motivates students to actively engage in their own learning process while improving critical thinking skills.
Developed and piloted during the 2003-04 school year, Math in Your Feet was created by professional dancer Malke Rosenfeld in collaboration with Presidential award-winning math specialist Jane Cooney, Young Audiences of Indiana, and the Pike Township School District, Indianapolis, IN.
MATH IN YOUR FEET RESIDENCY for GRADES 3-5
A unique integration of math concepts and dance skills, Math in Your Feet is a program which maintains the integrity of both disciplines. Students make authentic connections between math and dance in a meaningful, active, and multi-modal learning environment.
This artist-lead residency that leads students through the problem solving process of creating their own dance patterns. Along the way, they improve their communication and critical thinking skills and increase their understanding of mathematical topics such as:
congruence
symmetry
transformation
angles and degrees
pattern recognition
symbols
graphing
problem solving
The mathematical content of all activities was developed in collaboration with award-winning math specialist Jane Cooney, and is based on Common Core State Standards and national dance standards.
MORE RESIDENCY DETAILS HERE
"Normally I dislike going to math, but this week I've been looking forward to it because MIYF is so fun! We get to learn math by moving around."
5th Grader
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS
Teachers can learn to do this too! Combining math, dance, and rhythm is a powerful way to make the abstract world of mathematics concrete for your kinesthetic young learners.
Using an original educational tool that breaks down percussive dance into its elements, teachers explore movement- and rhythm-based lessons that will help them increase their students' understanding of mathematical thinking, practices and topics.
Math in Your Feet professional development workshops empower teachers to learn and use specific tools to teach the movement, rhythm and math aspects of this program. These workshops are for classroom teachers of grades 3-6 and PE and music specialists. K-2 teachers will find the material adaptable for the younger grades. Learn how to:
"At first, I began to doubt whether or not I'd be able to use any of the info that was presented. Now, I am convinced that I can use everything."
Elementary Teacher
"Malke was phenomenal. Im very excited to take this workshop and use it in my classroom."
I wanted to let you know that Math in Your Feet is in full force in the fifth grade at Weston. The kids LOVE it!!! Thank you so much for introducing this to us.
"Malke did a wonderful job combining concepts, math vocabulary, and practical ideas for using it in the classroom."
"The three hours flew by."
Read more about how Malke targets her professional development.
This workshops was developed in association with Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University and Young Audiences of Indiana. As part of this process, Malke participated in the Kennedy Center's Seminar, "Artists as Educators: Planning Effective Workshops for Teachers."
This section is curently under construction. Please check back later for more information.
Each day involves:
Artist-led dance class: The artist introduces students to clogging steps and other foot-based dance patterns. During this time students also begin to experiment with and create their own dance patterns.
Mathematical themes: Daily themes introduce the mathematical concepts that the students are exploring in their dance work.
Teacher-led activities: Using a workbook specially designed for the program, classroom teachers spend time each day in the classroom to connect the dance-generated math concepts to more recognizable math problems. Completion of these workbook activities guarantees that the standards have been adequately covered and that the students have had enough time to reflect on their learning process.
Journals and word studies: Daily journal prompts get students writing and help them assimilate newly-learned vocabulary and connections between dance and math.
Teacher participation in dance class: Teachers are not required to dance, but are asked to actively observe all dance activities in order to understand the math/dance connections and their students experience. Teachers become more involved assisting on days three, four, and five as students break into pairs and work on developing and recording their own dance patterns and steps.
Requirements for the Math in Your Feet in-school residency include:
Five visits with each class, up to four individual classes a day, for a maximum of 20 contacts per week. Each session is 60 minutes long.
An open, uncarpeted space that is free of distractions (other classes, continuous walk-through, lunch, etc.)
A 45-minute teacher orientation. Please consider inviting music, art, and P.E. teachers to this session.
Every student needs a Math in Your Feet workbook. These should be duplicated before the residency begins. The artist will send the school the originals at least one month prior to the residency, along with some suggestions for binding.
Shakin' Down the Acorns
Assembly Program for Grades K-5
American Old Time music, dance, and song are the energetic ingredients of a feast for young minds. With entrancing percussive footwork, participatory songs, banjo and fiddle tunes, hats, humor and straws, this ensemble shape shifts from quartet to duet; trio, solo and chorus. Learn to understand a basic musical form, and discover what it takes to find joy and satisfaction in playing together.
Sam Bartlett: banjo, guitar, jaw harp, straws and general hilarity
Abby Ladin: vocals, percussive dance
Katie Hicks: fiddle, vocals
Malke Rosenfeld: percussive dance, vocals
This show is wonderful on its own, or as part of the Math in Your Feet residency.
If you are in the state of Indiana we'd love to travel from Bloomington to your school! We are booked through Young Audiences of Indiana.
About
Residency
Teachers
Standards
Assemblies
PRESS COVERAGE!
development of
Math in Your Feet,
Teaching Artist
Journal 9:2,
"My experience in this program will be a very large memory in my life."
"MIYF really helped me with geometry.
I understand all the flips and turns as well as symmetry so much better."
"I didn't like math, and I still don't, but
I might like it more."
"[All my] students were able to grasp so many different math concepts and a large variety of math vocabulary, while dancing, in a very short amount of time."
4th Grade Teacher, Fishback Creek Public Academy, Indianapolis, IN
BIO
Malke Rosenfeld is a professional dancer and teaching artist who has been working in educational settings since 1996. A creative, playful teacher, Malke specializes in math/dance integration with a focus on creative problem solving, increased rhythmic competence, and the satisfaction of self-expression.
Malke has performed and taught across the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom. A founding member of the Celtic group Cucanandy, she also spent two years touring internationally with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, which included the London run of Riverdance. Expert in Cape Breton step dance and American old-time clogging, her feet are an instrument as well, providing a "powerhouse platform for each reel and jig." (Art Menius, The Independent).
In addition to working with students Malke also effectively and enthusiastically shares her work with teachers who wish to add movement as a learning tool into their own classrooms. Using an original educational tool that breaks down the elements of percussive dance, teachers explore movement- and rhythm-based lessons that will help them increase their students' understanding of mathematical thinking, practices and topics.
Malke writes about her work integrating percussive dance and math in her blog The Map is Not the Territory in which she investigates the intersections of dance, rhythm, math, and creative problem solving. She is the editor and curator of the new Teaching Artist Journal ALT/space blog and is a certified Zumba instructor. View Malke's Linkedin profile.
"Your programming is incredible.You have such a gift for engaging students and creating space for them to gain confidence in their own creative choices."
Education Director, The Carnegie Center for the Arts, Covington, KY
CONTACT USNeed more information?
Ready to book a program? Just let us know!
"My class and I absolutely loved the residency. The students and I
learned so much about math and dance...
I appreciated her manner with the students as well as her deep thinking about making real connections to math."
4th Grade Teacher, Fishback Creek Public Academy, Indianapolis IN
August 2011
The new Teaching Artist Journal ALT/space blog has just been launched! As Editor of this space, Malke is curating stories of Teaching Artist practice from around the country.
June 2011
New on the Math in Your Feet blog: To Each its Own: Targeting My Professional Development Workshops
May 2011
Malke has another great opportunity to work with the Teaching Artist Journal! This time she has been asked to develop and edit a stand-alone multi-author blog, portions of which will be excerpted each quarter to print. In this blog Teaching Artist correspondents from around the U.S. and the world will be sharing stories of their work at the crossroads of art and learning. The new blog will be launched in August 2011.
April 2011
Math in Your Feet was presented to a packed house for a 90-minute hands-on gallery workshop at the NCTM annual meeting! Next stop, the national Young Audiences, Inc. conference. This year's theme is "Full STEAM Ahead" bringing the arts into STEM. Malke will be talking to the arts folks about her process of integrating math with percussive dance.
Also, Malke's article, Jump Patterns: Percussive Dance and the Path to Math, has just been published by the Teaching Artist Journal!
February 2011
Malke and friends have just developed a new assembly program called Shakin' Down the Acorns! Check it out here!
January 2011
What a great way to start off a new year -- with a family math night!Check out the fun here!
Malke is pleased to be part of a series of pilot projects happening around the country focused on developing best practices for Young Audiences' new Signature Core Services Programs. This month, Malke will be at Christel House Academy in Indianapolis, IN with the Math in Your Feet residency, a new performance program, and a family math night.
December 2010
Malke has been invited to become an Associate Editor for the Teaching Artist Journal, a research intitiative of the Office of Academic Research, Columbia College Chicago. The Teaching Artist Journal is currently the only journal dedicated specifically to the work and thought of teaching artists
November 2010
Malke's article Math in Your Feet: Percussive Dance and the Path to Math has been accepted for publication by the Teaching Artist Journal. Publication date is April 2011. Stay tuned for more details!
October 2010
Malke has started a new blog to discuss her work! The Map is Not the Territory can be found at www.mathinyourfeet.blogspot.com.
September 2010
Malke will be presenting at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics! The conference is in April 2011 and will be held in Indianapolis, IN. www.nctm.org
Malke is an amazing presenter. She utilizes her incredible dance background and combines it with math movements and vocabulary. My elementary teachers thoroughly enjoyed her workshop. One week after [our training], blue squares are marked and students are having a great time [with] Math In Your Feet.
Elementary Principal
PUBLICATIONS
Jump Patterns: Percussive Dance and the Path to Math
By Malke Rosenfeld (2011), Teaching Artist Journal 9:2, 78-89
A dance teaching artist describes an innovative collaboration with an elementary school math teacher that leads to original student choreography and engaging mathematical thinking.
TAJ article April 11[1].pdf
Math in Your Feet
Curriculum Guide and Instructional DVD
Publishing Date TBA
The curriculum guide and instructional DVD are for anyone interested in learning and using the Math in Your Feet program with kids in grades K-8 -- during school hours, afterschool, summer programs, enrichment, remedial, or special education. If you would like to be notified when these materials become available, please contact us and let us know.
NCTM lesson plan packet April 11.pdf
MIYF Methods.pdf
Math in Your Feet © 2011 All Rights Reserved
