Jacobs Pillow Brings Dance to Second Grade

Our energetic second graders have had a wonderful opportunity to delve deeply into folk tails from around the world through movement thanks to an artist residency with our community partner Jacob's Pillow.  Ms. Berle explained the project in this week's letter to families:

Second graders in Mrs. Annand and Mrs. Lupiani's classes danced through the week with our partners from Jacob's Pillow. The focus was to represent Cinderella stories from Ireland and India. All second graders came together to see each other's dances this afternoon. 

In the wrap up discussion, students shared they learned about axial movement and locomotive movement. They learned stage directions and how to move in a group and explore opposites. They learned to work together to tell stories with dance, and it is within them to make dances that show different emotions including funny, greedy, sad and excited. 

A student said about dancing:

In the beginning I was a little scared and then I wasn't that much!

It turns out all the Cinderella stories from around the world share common themes.  Inner beauty is more important than outer beauty, and it is possible to have both.  Kindness matters.

The project ended with Jacob's Pillow education staff member Dawn Lane leading a two minute Shivasana or deep relaxation at students' request.

Here is a link to learn more about Jacob's Pillow:  Jacob's Pillow