Math In Motion
Our School Touring Program, Math in Motion, continues to travel the state, performing at schools, dancing with students and sharing useful classroom activities and resources for educators to use in the classroom, linking the arts to academics. Funded by the Alabama State Council on the arts and produced and performed by Children's Dance Foundation, Math in Motion was created by Karl Schaffer, a modern dancer with a PhD in Math. Math In Motion has been on tour since 1998. More than 30,000 elementary and middle school students and educators at more than 100 schools throughout the state have hosted this imaginative mix of math and dance.Math in Motion is part of the Alabama State Council on the Arts’ Rural Touring Program.
Math in Motion is an exciting, participatory performance that investigates math concepts using music, movement and a curious collection of everyday objects. Performed by four professional dancers, the show is designed for elementary and middle school students and educators. The performance poses intriguing questions and links dance to classroom curricula. What is math, anyway? How many is a few? How many are in a bunch? What do you call a group of dragons? An accompanying activities packet invites classroom teachers and students to join the creative process. Through this process, using bodies, minds and imaginations, abstract concepts become tangible, understood and remembered. The show travels to schools and is great for grades K-6, running 45 minutes in length, and includes an activity packet for teachers. Classroom sessions are also possible program additions.
The Magic Circle
CDF is now offering a new School Touring Program, The Magic Circle. Like Math in Motion, created in 1998, this show was conceived and created by Karl Schaffer and is funded by The Alabama State Council on the Arts. For more information about booking this 45-minute in-school performance, contact CDF Project Director Mary Foshee.
Three professional dancers use hoops, loops and a lively narrative to uncover the interesting nature of the circle and the mysterious number known as pi. The performance lasts about 45 minutes and is excellent for students and educators K-8. Funded by the Alabama State Council on the Arts and conceived and choreographed by Karl Schaffer, The Magic Circle combines music, math and movement in a uniquely refreshing way.
For more information about either performance, contact:
Mary Foshee
Project Director
205-870-0073
Mary@childrensdancefoundation.org