MATH IN YOUR FEET - GRADES 3-6
Math in Your Feet is ideally presented as a five-day, school residency that immerses students in whole-body math learning.
One- and two-day workshop options are available to introduce specific mathematical topics in a new way. This program can also be adapted for summer programs and youth organizations.
Math in Your Feet 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. Visit the Standards page for more information on math and dance content in this program.
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.
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.
Not quite ready to bring Math in Your Feet to your school?
Feel free to contact Malke Rosenfeld with any questions.
Ready to book workshops or a residency?
If you are within the state of Indiana, contact Young Audiences of Indiana. Otherwise, please contact Malke Rosenfeld directly.