Each kid picked their favorite from a list of some of the attractions that were featured there:
aquarium
roller rink
hot air balloon
boat ride
animals: ostriches, deer, flamingos, bears, camels, seals, goats, parrots, eagles
They all made a frozen pose, a move and a second frozen pose based on the thing they picked. We then played variations on freeze tag or duck duck goose to cue individual kids to do their choreography. One of Rowena's third grade groups did a terrific sequence together, complete with working with partners to make seals sitting on rocks and a parrot that looked like a snow angel.
We continue to learn what works (and what doesn't) as we return to each class. For instance, having each group show the others what they've worked on really gets the kids to focus and perform. I'm pleased and impressed by how well the students are remembering material from the previous weeks. They need some cueing but they're really doing a great job. I'm also excited to have Colin Epstein along as an additional adult dancer/helper on Tuesdays with the fifth grade. He's going to fill in when others are gone and then be an extra hand when we're all present.
Next week we may just start shaping some of the material we already have. I'm trying to pace things so we don't get overwhelmed with material and I need to figure out how to link the different movement sections together. And the fourth graders were away on a field trip this week so we will need to get them caught up.
The project is changing, as I knew it would, adapting to the skills and needs of our performers and the features and needs of the school site. We will almost certainly limit showings to the yard, and while I'm sad to let go of the idea of traveling through the school, I'm excited to try to get all 6 classes together in one place in November to show what they've created.
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