Music, movement and drama in the center of the elementary curriculum

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to develop a research-founded semiotically-based, holistic philosophy for utilizing quality, child-tested music, movement and drama resources in an integrated learning format and to provide workable activities within an accessible, understandable structure for use by the teacher in kindergarten through third grade classroom situations. Since children are "meaning makers," it is logical to create an approach for classroom teachers to use which builds on what children need most to help them make learning connections: an integrated format which helps children understand how learning fits together or makes sense. This project organizes music, movement and drama activities thematically in content areas which are ordered from simple to complex to accommodate the age range to which the project is directed.