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Lesson Summaries "Self-Expression through Movement and Improvisation!"

In Andy's first lesson about jazz dance and movement, students learned to show their individuality through movement. The students first had to discuss with their peers the elements of jazz music that they already knew. This drew on the prior knowledge and they were able to collaborate with others and create new ideas about jazz music. After watching videos of jazz music in the early twentieth century they compared that they came up with to what they saw in the videos. Students are asked to use a colorful vocabulary to describe what they hear and portray those adjectives in their own way in front of the class. The last art of the observation was looking at the dance styles that people showcased in response to the movement. Students then learned specific dances like the turkey trot, fox trot and bunny hug. As an exhibition, students created their own "animal dance" that could be anything they wanted that displayed their individuality through movement.



In Jacky’s lesson about jazz improvisation, students express through metaphors as well as rhythm. The students watch a video/listen to “C Jam Blues,” by Duke Ellington and are asked questions about the music. Then a page of the book “Jazz,” by Walter Dean Myers is read aloud. Students are asked to think of different ways of speaking the word, “screaming,” and then asked to replace the word with others to describe melody. Students were then asked to keep a steady rhythm and then improvise over it when called upon. They learn to listen to each other and are introduce to structure of improvisation. To finish the lesson, students create a metaphor about jazz improvisation and to show the metaphor physically.

**__Text Reviews__** "Jazz Age Josephine"  by Jonah Winter  and illustrated  by Marjorie Priceman



This book is a great tool that can be used in the classroom. The story of a girl named Josephine that takes place in the middle 20th century during the age of jazz is a colorful plot of how Josephine grows as an individual. Josephine's creativity and freedom is constricted where she lives in St. Louis. During this time St. Louis is a shade of grey displaying a lack of enthusiasm and life. Josephine cannot stand this and learns to express herself through movements even when the rest to the city isn't. Josephine moves all around the world over time and sees the different styles of movement associated with music in different cultures. From St. Louis to New York to Paris Josephine is able to finally express herself through movement.

The author uses this inspirational story to depict how movement can be used as an expressive tool. Even though Josephine was not presented with many opportunities to express herself she still found her natural movements to show off who she is. This can be used to teach students about individual expression through movement. This book also has a great introduction into the different types of jazz dance! Priceman uses vivid colors in images to catch the eye of the reader. This book could also be used to teach students about following their dreams. Josephine tried many new things on her path of creating individual expression. Although some of these things did not work out, she continued to pursue her dream of finding herself. The combination of these two ideas presented in the book make "Jazz Age Josephine" a hot tool for teachers to use in all disciplines!

"Jazz" by Walter Dean Myers and illustrated by Christopher Myers
This text is a great way to introduce students to jazz. The ambiance of jazz is displayed through the use of picture and poetry. The author and illustrator together are able to take the reader on a journey through the history, major musicians, styles, instruments, and influences of jazz. Instruments are described using emotions. The glossary and historical timeline aid the reader in the understanding of this musical genre. The text is driven by the most important element of jazz: improvisation. Jazz is an expression of oneself. The use of poems to tell this story reflects the importance of expression.

"Jazz: An American Saga" by James Lincoln Collier
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">This text encompasses all that is jazz. It takes you through the roots and origins to the core/heart of jazz. The chapters separate the book in a way that it is easy to teach directly from. The sixth chapter discusses improvisation and how it is a part of our everyday lives. Students can relate to improvisation as well as learn theoretical concepts, and famous musicians within this chapter.

<span style="color: #ff7300; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">"Dance" by Bill T. Jones and Susan Kukli

T<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">his text does such a great job of using metaphors in dance. The book is mostly compiled of pictures and the storyline is just all of the different things we can do when we dance. "When I am dancing..I am everywhere, and I am hardly there." The character here is just trying to express himself through dance and is using metaphors to make that connection. Students will be able to use these ideas to show personal expression through movement.

<span style="color: #11cc00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">"Jazz on a Saturday Night" by Leo and Diane Dillon

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This book is fabulous in the sense that includes elements from both lessons. The book has a great introduction on the first page on the history of jazz music. This introduction explains some of the general ideas of improvisation. The setting is an atmosphere of jazz musicians performing for a hard-working audience that's ready to move! Toes are tapping, hands are clapping and the rhythm of the drums "make you jump in your seat." Students can enjoy the colorful pictures and the idea of music promoting physical movement. The book also includes famous jazz musicians such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Ella Fitzgerald. The book specifically talks about how the music makes the audience jump to their feet and start dancing. This dancing is their outlet of freedom of expression after their long weeks at work. The book also has a CD in the back to feature some of the music to go along with the story something that will keep children motivated to learn more!

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">“Before John was a Jazz Giant: a song of John Coltrane by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Sean Qualls
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This picture-book is a biography about John Coltrane. The story is told through poetry and picture. As each stanza starts with, “before John was a jazz giant,” a new sound is expressed and interpreted by John. Music is found everywhere in John’s life. The illustrations take the story and bring it to life for the reader. John’s musical experiences began with the rhythm of pots and pans, which connects to how students in the improvisation lesson start; with rhythm. Although this book is designed for early readers, students of any age can enjoy the content and exploration involved. Students can learn to hear and see music everywhere and that is the start of understanding jazz and improvisation.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Jazz Is" by Nat Hentoff
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">This book is a personal exploration of jazz through the eyes of the author, Nat Hentoff. This thought provoking text focuses on the nature of this era and gives the reader intimate insight. It is important for students to read about personal reflections on jazz and interactions with influencial musicians to understand the culture of jazz. In between chapters, the author has put quotes from famous jazz musicians and critics that define jazz in their terms.

<span style="color: #0070ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">"Max Found Two Sticks" written and illustrated by Brian Pinkney

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This book is about a boy who doesn't talk but instead responds to questions by drumming on various objects, including a bucket, hat boxes, and garbage cans, echoing the city sounds around him. Both ideas of improvisation and expression through movement are present here. Music provides this character an outlet for his emotions and allows him to communicate in a different way. This book can be used to teach students that music and improv is all around us and that it's something to show individuality.

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