August 30, 2011

Brain Dance Warmup (K-5)

Integrated into our warmup dance is the Brain Dance, a research-based set of movement patterns developed by Anne Green Gilbert. These movement patterns are beneficial for people of all ages. Specifically, they support:

- sensory integration
- proprioception (knowing where the body is in space)
- interpersonal intelligence
- intrapersonal intelligence
- correct alignment
- a sense of aliveness
- hearing
- balance
- memory
- attention
- coordination
- motor skills
- functioning of central nervous system
- emotional stability
- an understanding of our own right or left side dominance
- left and right brain hemispheres
- horizontal eye tracking (necessary for reading)
- higher thinking skills

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Dance standards addressed in this warmup:

Pre K:
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION
Development of Motor Skills and Technical Expertise 
1.1 Move in a variety of directed ways. 
1.2 Imitate the movements shown. 
Development of Dance Vocabulary  
1.4 Name the opposites in basic movements (e.g., big/small).

Kindergarten:
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION 
Development of Motor Skills and Technical Expertise 
1.1 Build the range and capacity to move in a variety of ways. 
1.2 Perform basic locomotor skills (e.g., walk, run, gallop, jump, hop, and balance).
Development of Dance Vocabulary  
1.4 Perform simple movements in response to oral instructions (e.g., walk, turn, reach).

1st grade:
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION 
Development of Motor Skills and Technical Expertise 
1.1 Demonstrate the ability to vary control and direct force/energy used in basic locomotor and axial movements (e.g., skip lightly, turn strongly, fall heavily).

2nd Grade:
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION 
1.2 Show a variety of combinations of axial movements (e.g., swing and balanced shapes, turn and stretch, bend and twist).

3rd Grade:
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION 
Development of Motor Skills and Technical Expertise 
1.1 Combine and perform basic locomotor skills, moving on a specific pathway (e.g., skip in circles, slide in zigzags, run in a variety of linear paths). Combine and perform locomotor and axial movements (e.g., walk and turn, stretch and slide). 
1.2 Demonstrate the ability to start, change, and stop movement.

4th Grade:
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION
Development of Motor Skills and Technical Expertise 
1.1 Demonstrate mental concentration and physical control in performing dance skills.

5th grade:
1.0 ARTISTIC PERCEPTION 
Development of Motor Skills and Technical Expertise
1.1 Demonstrate focus, physical control (e.g., proper alignment, balance), and coordination in performing locomotor and axial movement. 
1.2 Name and use a wide variety of movements (e.g., isolations/whole body).

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Brain Dance Patterns: