Thoroughly Modern Martha
Inspiration Book:
Ballet for Martha : making Appalachian Spring by Greenberg, Jan, 1942- - Flash Point, p2010, c2010--780--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.1 Tells the story behind the creation of "Appalachian Spring," describing Aaron Copland's composition and Martha Graham's intense choreography. With minimal text and muted pastel watercolors, this book chronicles the collaboration between Martha Graham, Aaron Copland, and Isamu Noguchi to create the ballet Appalachian Spring. This famous work of art, perhaps not well known to many students, is an inspiring and culturally relevant depiction of pioneer life in America. Notes and Source Notes.
Rationale: I am an advocate of people in a society having a common core of experience that allows for the building of a common core of values and eventually a strong cohesive society. The catch is who makes that determination and what is the common core? There are historical values, contemporary values, individual values, group values, etc. etc. Then there are Common Core skills. The Common Core Standards begin the process of defining Common Core skills yet allow for local, state, and regional input for some content. Locales determine specific topics, the standards provide for specific skills. These skills are basic skills that every child should be exposed to and/or master.
The Library Media Specialist already assists with the development of the school’s Common Core when materials are selected.. The librarian determines the best quality and where and how a specific item meets the criteria of the curriculum. The media specialist can promote materials by recommending resources to teachers for already existing units and making staff aware of new tools and materials.
The librarian can relate the standard when a lesson is begun. I also state what I hope to achieve and have the students do when I begin a lesson. The math and language arts standards are available as are new media standards. New science standards are also complete.
From time to time in my career, I have selected what I considered “books every student in grade...should read.” Often those lists are readied for summer reading programs. I’ve published those lists for parents and students, and some teachers have developed lessons around those titles. A catch, the lists need to be updated regularly to provide a living list. Consider the policy: if you add a book, take a book off the list.
Now, what does all this philosophy have to do with the Inspiration Book? This is a title that does not fit into most curricula, but it doesn’t mean it should not be purchased. Knowledge of names of American arts representatives also form a basis for developing a common core for our society. The children know all the current musicians, actors, entertainers. Do they know what influenced them as they developed artistic style? You may even find a student who will say, “Oh, that’s where... got the idea,” or “that’s the background.” And, that reaction is what you dream about when you share books about the arts.
Grades K-3--The Mother of Modern Dance
Background: Since there is a wonderful and complete Teacher Guide for reading the book, I’m not going to reinvent the wheel, but merely suggest that you use as much of the “Reading Ballet for Martha” guide below as you want and can. A thirty minute time slot is suggested.
Preparation: Determine how much of the Teacher Guide you would like to use and whether you would like to do some of the extension activities for the lesson.
When I use these resources, I like to introduce the specialized dance vocabulary, the pre-reading questions, and the during reading illustration and vocabulary interaction. Then, I like to conclude with a short video clip of Graham dancing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91y-NEdTj-g
Reading Ballet for Martha K to 4 | Resourse Use this guide to actively read Ballet for Martha an award-winning work of children's literature about the collaboration of three artists to create an American masterpiece. Part of an OurStory module entitled An American Story in Dance and Music, this activity includes discussion prompts, a glossary, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children and adults explore history together through the use of children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities. https://amhistory.si.edu/ourstory/pdf/dance/dance_reading.pdf
An American Story in Dance and Music Homepage K to 4 | HTML In 1943, Martha Graham, Aaron Copland, and Isamu Noguchi created Appalachian Spring , a ballet that told the story of an American pioneer community. By using this OurStory module, children and adults can enjoy exploring this history through children's literature, museum objects, and hands-on activities. Focused around Ballet for Martha an award-winning work of children's literature about the collaboration of three artists to create an American masterpiece, the module includes links to hands-on activities and a list of recommended readings for further exploration.https://amhistory.si.edu/ourstory/pdf/dance/dance_camera.pdf
Grades 4-8--For the Love of the Dance
Background: Each year the physical education teacher does a short dance unit. Each grade is introduced to a different type of dance or the teacher rotates the dances over a period of years. This is a lesson to do in the library when it’s the grade or year for modern dance. Be sure to share all of the resources with the teacher and encourage the use of the other resources in physical education class.
Once-in-a-while a student has a physician’s excuse from physical education. These resources could also be used with that student as part of an independent study. Add one of the extension activities from http://amhistory.si.edu/ourstory/activities/dance/ and the student has a virtual physical education activity.
Preparation: Review the websites listed under Teacher Resources and decide which you’d like to include in a series of prepared online links.
Computer with Internet access and projection capability.
Introduction: It’s dance time in physical education. Each year you learn a different type of dance. This year it’s modern dance/ballet. Three legends in the arts collaborated on a production that has become a classic in modern dance. Martha Graham, Aaron Copland, and Isamu Noguchi worked together to produce Appalachian Spring. This is the story.
Read aloud:
Ballet for Martha : making Appalachian Spring by Greenberg, Jan, 1942- - Flash Point, p2010, c2010--780--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 5.1. Tells the story behind the creation of "Appalachian Spring," describing Aaron Copland's composition and Martha Graham's intense choreography. With minimal text and muted pastel watercolors, this book chronicles the collaboration between Martha Graham, Aaron Copland, and Isamu Noguchi to create the ballet Appalachian Spring.
I’m going to take you on an interactive computer journey. I’ve made a list of websites to explore about Graham, Noguchi, and Copland. Your job is to find fact(s) (Decide number required by grade or abilities of student and whether they should find a fact from one or more of the “artists.”) that weren’t mentioned in the book I read. We’ll share after about fifteen minutes of research.
Teacher Resources:
Martha Graham Dance Company www.marthagraham.org
Videos of current company http://marthagraham.org/press-presenters2/videos/
Noguchi Museum and Foundation http://noguchi.org/
Aaron Copland about the Composer http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/aaron-copland/about-the-composer/475/
Free listening online http://www.last.fm/music/Aaron+Copland
Simple Gifts from Interlochen Arts Academy Chamber Orchestra http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/fromthetop/video/season-2/213.php
American Story in Dance and Music activities--camera creativity and collaboration, Make a mini dance, Explore your theater, Seeing Music http://amhistory.si.edu/ourstory/activities/dance/
All Grades Book Resources:
The East-West house : Noguchi's childhood in Japan by Hale, Christy - Lee & Low Books, p2009, c2009--709.2--Int Lvl: 3-6--Rd Lvl: 4.3 Profiles the personal and professional life and career of Japanese American artist, sculptor, and landscape architect, Isamu Noguchi, focusing on his childhood in Japan, mixed heritage, and his talent for combining both Eastern and Western influence into his designs.
Aaron Copland by Venezia, Mike - Childrens Press, p1995, c1995--780--Int Lvl: K-3--Rd Lvl: 5.1 Examines the life and career of twentieth-century American composer Aaron Copland.
Martha Graham by Kessel, Kristin - Rosen Central, p2006, c2006--792.8--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 5.4 Examines the life of American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham, discussing her youth in Pennsylvania, her training at the Denishawn School of Dance in Los Angeles, her decision to form her own company, and her pioneering development of modern dance.
Women in dance (Core Library: Women In The Arts) by Hutchison, Patricia — Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing, 2019. 792.8; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.0. Introduces readers to some of the most influential women in the dance industry. Athleticism, grace, and creativity make the greatest dancers shine. Women in Dance introduces readers to some of the most influential dancers, including Misty Copeland, Martha Graham, and Yin Yue. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index.
Isamu Noguchi by Tiger, Caroline eBook - Chelsea House, p2007, c2007--709.2--Int Lvl: 5-8--Rd Lvl: 6.1 Boy from nowhere -- Like father, like son -- Choosing between Noguchi and Gilmour -- Isamu in America -- The road to artist -- World traveler -- Turning outward -- Nisei -- Healing his wounds -- Citizen of the world. Examines the life and career of Isamu Noguchi, the son of an American mother and Japanese poet father who found a home in the world of art, combining the influences of his mixed heritage in sculpture, furniture, stage sets, and gardens.
Dynamic women dancers by Dublin, Anne — Second Story Press, 2009--792.802; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 7.0 Presents profiles of various dancers, including Alicia Alonso, Anna Sokolow, Carmen Amaya, Anna Pavlova, Pearl Primus, Liz Lerman, Judith Marcuse, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Karen Kain, and Geeta Chandran, with a discussion of their achievements and different uses of the art form.
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