Book to Boogie: “The Dot”

Book to Boogie is a monthly series that pairs picture books with dance and movement activities for preschool story time. The series is curated by Kerry Aradhya of Picture Books & Pirouettes and written by a different guest writer each month. We hope that children’s librarians, as well as classroom teachers and dance educators, will find these activities useful and fun!

by Jayne Gammons

“Just make a mark and see where it takes you.”

The first time you read the story of Vashti’s discovery of her creative talents, you are sure to see the possibilities for helping children express themselves through visual art. The beauty of this simple story is that it can lead to the discovery of courage in other forms of self-expression. Let’s look at how The Dot, written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, can lead to creative movement opportunities.

Vashti is convinced she can’t draw. With one simple statement, the art teacher encourages Vashti to keep trying. “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” In response, Vashti jabs at her paper, leaving a dot. When she later sees that the art teacher has framed the dot, she sets out to prove she can do much more. She experiments, splashes, and splatters until she has created enough dot paintings for her own art show. Finally, Vashti is presented with the opportunity to inspire the creative spirit in a younger, admiring artist.

To prepare to use this book for story time, listen to the empowering song “The Dot Song,” written by singer-songwriter Emily Arrow in collaboration with Peter H. Reynolds. You can enjoy the free video version here. There is also a version in which Emily Arrow performs motions, available here. This touching music is sure to inspire you to use the book along with movement during your story time.

Before reading, ask the children if they have ever said, “I CAN’T!” when trying to do something new. Then read The Dot. Discuss the phrase self-expression. Explain that sometimes self-expression can mean showing your feelings without words — using art, music, or dance instead. Explain that there is not a right or wrong way to show your feelings when you are making art, making music, or moving.

To begin to incorporate movement into the lesson, invite the children to use imaginary paintbrushes to paint dots in the space around them. What color are the dots? How big are the dots? Remind the children that as Vashti’s brushes got bigger, her dots got bigger as well. Ask the children to imagine that their arms and hands are bigger brushes. Invite them to “paint” bigger dots and use more space around their bodies by moving their hands and arms in a circular motion. Have the children stand up. Suggest that their legs and feet are giant paintbrushes. Help them imagine that they are painting small dots by moving their feet in a circular motion and larger dots by stretching their legs and moving in a wider path. Can they “mix colors together” by circling first one foot and then the other in the same space? For example, you might say, “Pretend to dip your foot in blue paint; then paint a large blue dot on the floor. Now dip your other foot in yellow paint. Paint the yellow dot on top of the blue dot. You painted a giant green dot on the floor!”

Here’s another idea for adding movement to the story. Purchase circular, colorful, plastic place mats (from the kitchen department of a discount store). You can also make large circles out of laminated paper or construction paper. Arrange the circles in an open space. As the music plays, invite children to move around the room and “paint” the dots on the floor. Move the circles closer together or farther apart to help the children practice staying in their own spaces as they move.

Finally, arrange a large, circular tablecloth on the floor. (You can purchase a variety of colorful, inexpensive table covers from a discount store.) Play “The Dot Song,” and invite children to dance as they move around the giant dot. In addition, encourage children to take turns standing in the center of the dot to dance.

Check out the entire “Creatrilogy Series” by Peter H. Reynolds, made up of The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color. There’s even an International Dot Day on September 15th-ish for you to celebrate. Find out more at http://ift.tt/1dsaQTl.

Jayne Gammons feels her creative spirit soar when she is teaching her kindergarten and first-grade classes in Macon, Georgia. She is also a blogger and workshop presenter. Look for more of her ideas for integrating the arts with books at her blog, ABCs of Reading: Integrating the ARTS with BOOKS to teach COMPREHENSION strategies. Or if you are interested in kindergarten and first-grade ideas, visit her primary blog, Smart Kids.

from Library as Incubator Project http://ift.tt/1WIaPV4
via IFTTThttp://ift.tt/1WIaPUW