How to Teach Rhythm Movement & Pattern w/ @Xbox Kinect & #JustDance3 #lessonplan #artsed #gbl

As a wrap up of a week long project on the principles of design: rhythm and movement, I wanted my students to see the connection to other areas of the arts curriculum, reward them for their hard work and prepare them for a upcoming video game / art project using Gamestar Mechanic.

Having a hard time viewing the video at school? Check out the downloaded file off of Animoto:

animoto_360p.mp4 Watch on Posterous

I must say though, I was REALLY pleased with the overall project with my students. They spent all week working on their "traditional" Rhythm and Movement projects (which you can download and modify the Google Doc lesson plans below) and I wanted to give rewards to the Top 3 in each class: Face me in a dance off to Just Dance 3

See the full gallery on Posterous

We had fun dancing all day in class, but probably what amazed me the most was the sheer number of students actually coming up and thanking me for bringing in the Xbox Kinect and telling me how much fun they had today. 

See the full gallery on Posterous

I think this just really shows the potential of learning with video games, instead of just making them as sole pieces of entertainment. If the teacher is willing to stretch their imagination to combine student interest with classroom content  - the possibilities can be endless.

Just_Dance_3_in_the_classroom_035.MP4 Watch on Posterous

If you want to make your OWN video games with your students, check out my lesson plan on Gamestar Mechanic here

chk it @NAEA @Think360Arts @TADartists 8th grade Pop Art work & tiedye #lessonplan in #myr #artsed

After watching the Beatles' Yellow Submarine film, my 8th graders at Black Water Middle School learned about the Pop Artist Peter Max. 

See the full gallery on Posterous

In the past, I have had my students draw contour sketches of bodies and fill them in, but the students seem to find it more engaging when they can do a life size sketch and fill in a total of twenty-four patterns inside the body. Unfortunately, I was low on paint this year to let them color in bodies. 

See the full gallery on Posterous

There were also a few students that were able to bring in their own white t-shirt that could by tie dyed, and show off inspiration of 1960's culture. All the while listening to the greatest hits of the 1960's such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Motown.

IMG_0144.mov Watch on Posterous

8th_grade_Peter_Max_figure_studies.ppt Download this file

You can check out the lesson plan here, whether attached as a PPT file (modified from a great lesson I found on the Incredible Art Department) or you can view the embedded Google Docs presentation as well:

 

FINALLY, check out some of their completed works below

 

 

See the full gallery on Posterous