Statue of Me

Objective

Music and movement are deeply connected. As we continue to learn about each other and build community, music and movement can help us express a little more of who we are, and witness our individual and collective humanness.

Example Sequence

1. Arrange into a circle.

2. Facing into or away from the circle, start the music and let your body move how it wants to.

3. Start to wake up to your body, by moving individual elements: arms, fingers, legs, and so on.

4. Now let your body move freely again. If the group can see each other, take a look around and try on some of the moves you see, in ways that are comfortable for you (you don't have to tell the person you're copying).

5. Start to think about what movements feel good, or what emotions are presenting themselves as you move. How can you emphasize this by crystalizing your movement into a still (or near-still) formation?

6. Take a moment to honor everybody by looking around and saying "we see you, (name)."

7. Now think about something you would like to share that represents some of who you are. Is there an identity that is important to you? Do you have a favorite hobby, or is there a skill you practice? What do you love?

8. As you let your body move naturally to the music again, begin to bring that introduction into a formation. What movements or parts of the body want to represent this? Could you show it off literally, or is there a way to just give us an idea of what it is?

9. Again, crystallize this into a still (or near-still) formation, and take a moment to honor everybody with "we see you, (name)."

10. Thank yourselves, your bodies, and each other.

11. Optional extensions: sharing your introduction using words with a partner, or the group. Or to use a visual approach, make a collaborative doodle showing the circle and everybody's statue.

National Core Arts Standards

MU:Cr1.1.5a: Improvise rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic ideas, and explain the connection to specific purpose and context (such as social, cultural, and historical).

MU:Cr2.1.5a: Demonstrate selected and developed musical ideas for improvisations, arrangements, or compositions to express intent, and explain the connection to purpose and context.

MU:Cr3.1.5a: Evaluate, refine, and document revisions to personal music, applying teacher-provided and collaboratively-developed criteria and feedback, and explain the rationale for changes.

MU:Cn10.0.5a: Demonstrate how interests, knowledge, and skills relate to personal choices and intent when creating, performing, and responding.

MU:Cn11.0.5a: Demonstrate understanding of relationships between music and the other arts, other disciplines, varied contexts, and daily life.

CASEL Core Competencies

Self-awareness, social awareness