Actors use their bodies

and…their voices  

…and their imaginations

…they concentrate

and… they cooperate

and FYI  focus is something you can practice and improve!

I was perusing the “Everyday Math Curriculum” used at our school and they had a literature list for each grade level. I emailed teachers to ask them if they knew of this list and if so did they use any of the books on it. I can use some of those books for the activities I am planning.I also might have opportunities to collaborate with other teachers.

I ordered and received two books from Amazon.com.

Read Any Good Math Lately? by David J. Whitin University of S.C. and Sandra Wilde  University of Oregon, and the sequel  It’s the Story That Counts, both are about children’s books for mathematical learning, k-6.

Both contain bibliographies of books with mathematical themes and concepts.

I am reading them both and highlighting important ideas.

I intend to use the books for read-alouds, during which the students will perform  one minute challenges. A “One Minute Challenge” using tableau is an activity I learned from the Creative Connections class taught by Sean Layne for the Peace Center Outreach Program.I have participated in several Sean Layne work shops at the Peace Center and at  S.C.A.A.E. Arts Integration Conferences.

If you struggle with student behavior during creative dramatic activities, Sean Layne’s “Acting Right” Workshop is something you should check in to.In my class I use  these rules based on Sean Layne’s “method”.                  

1. Control the body.

2. Control the voice.

3. Concentrate.

4. Cooperate.

5. Use your imagination.

I use the “Actor’s Tool’s” as my warm-up before creative dramatic activities.I will post links soon with information about Sean Layne and other Peace Center Workshops.

I have been researching connections between literature and math. I have found some books about  connections and some math themed children’s books. I will post a list when I get it organized.

The first place to look for math and theatre connections would be in children’s literature. I am going on a quest for children’s books with mathematical themes. This strategy has worked well for social studies and science.