Friday, November 6, 2009

Arabesque with a Rose

Today in my creative ballet class of 3 year olds I had in my plan to teach arabesque and I also had in the lesson to create with these sparkly red (they love to say they are pink) roses! As I was teaching I had a total move-create-educate moment and thought "I can teach arabesque with these lovely roses" I find that my best lessons come when they aren't planned, they just come to me while the kids are in front of me. Does this happen to anyone else?

First we practiced curtsey with the roses like we were on stage. Then I told them to put their rose in one hand and reach it way up high. I then told them to tendu (we learned this earlier in the class) in the back. I didn't worry so much about it being the opposite foot yet. I just wanted them to get the hang of one arm reaching with the flower! It really worked because the moms came in and the girls demonstrated the arabesque without the rose... what a great lesson with a beautiful rose!


Do any of you use fun or silly props to teach a lesson or step? I would love to hear!

In the meantime movecreateeducate...

p.s. I found these roses at Target during valentines day.... yes I know I use them all year round! What a great find!

3 comments:

  1. what a fabulously inventive way of teaching ! loing your blog

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  2. Thank you so much Elise! I am glad you are enjoying my ideas!

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  3. Hi Maria,
    Just found your blog today. We used felt snowflakes to place on their head and do ballet walks across the floor. We told them angels always have snowflakes on their heads and they can hold their head up high and not look down while they are flying around. Encourages very good posture. They really wouldn't fall off because they kind of stick to their hair, but they don't know that. Enjoy reading your ideas, Karen

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