Math Dance with Schaffer and Stern
MathDance.org, Educational Information and Activities Online
Sep 5, 2008
In the book Math Dance [Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern Dance Ensemble, 2001]and on the website MathDance.org, researchers Schaffer and Stern generously explain how the realm of rationality called math and dance, an activity usually thought of as as an art of physical and emotional expression, are inextricably linked.
"When we choreograph a new dance or investigate a mathematical problem, we are doing much the same thing: creatively exploring patterns in space and time with an eye toward aesthetic potential." say Schaffer & Stern at Introduction MathDance.
Math Dance Activities Online
There are five freely available activities set out on the website for teachers to try in the classroom. As teachers read these activities, it becomes easy to see how the two subjects are really different ways of expressing the same ideas. For students who learn kinetically, this is a great way to first experience a mathematical proposition. For those who don't normally think this way, the challenge makes the lesson fun and brain stretching.
Concepts such as patterning, sequencing, movement and symmetry are gradually built upon, so that while having fun and becoming coordinated, students are memorising their shapes and patterns. They learn by making, being and doing.
Explaining the Theory of Math Dance
The introduction to the book is available on the Math Dance website as a PDF Download. This gives teachers a chance to develop an understanding of the concepts behind this body of innovative work. It is also possible to experience workshops run by Schaffer and Stern. This provides opportunities to use this technique experiences until teachers feel more confident about incorporating these strategies into the classroom.
Choreography, improvisation experience and understanding make creativity possible. Once teachers have assimilated the ideas and understand how the concepts work, it becomes possible to move into a develop space for choreography. With time teachers can develop a production unique to the needs of particular schools. Descriptions of how some schools have achieved this are included in the Introduction to the book.
Touring Artists Register
Karl Schaffer and Erik Stern are also part of the Touring Artists Roster of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Center's, "Partners in the Arts Program".This programme brings artists to major arts centers to conduct arts education workshops for educators. Dr. Schaffer and Mr. Stern often demonstrate techniques through workshops modelling the integration of math and dance in the classroom through this program. Information given for booking performances is out of date, listing dates for 2007. Making contact would be worth a try.
Math Dance is available exclusively at the Math Dance website. There is a purchase address provided, as well as an informative table of contents providing information about what the book contains. An extensive bibliography is available online so that teachers can read around the topic before committing time and money to becoming involved.
The resources and programmes referred to in this article are interrelated. Teachers can read the extensive introduction to the idea of Math Dance online. It costs nothing to try out the suggested ways to link movement and emotional expression with rational, logical processes in a math class. If the activities support learning and the children are enjoying this pedagogical approach, educators can either book the touring programme as a way of consolidating knowledge, and exploring the strategies further, or they can launch straight into the programme by buying the book.
