Esther Alcamo, Music, Collinswood Language Academy
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Synopsis: This curriculum unit will provide elementary students with the opportunity to work with movement as a conscious part of the music curriculum. Through study of BrainDance, a warm-up sequence designed to mirror the stages of brain development and enhance movement and learning, students will experience the role of movement in learning and thinking. As described in the NC Standards for Music, moving to music or using corresponding gestures, is another way of telling or showing mastery. As students move to music with intention, they gain a deeper knowledge of the musical concepts presented. As the unit progresses, we will work towards student composed dances using the building blocks found in the movement concepts we will study. Students will use third grade music standards related to rhythm and note values in order to create choreography with Motif Writing. Music literacy and dance literacy will work together to create a kinesthetic, aural, verbal and spatial learning experience.