Math In Motion

MATH IN MOTION will serve all sixth grade classrooms in participating middle schools in partnership with the San Diego Unified School District Visual and Performing Arts department. The program's innovative approach to cross-curricular education includes rotations of ten consecutive daily classes that integrate grade-level Dance, Physical Education, and Math content standards. Due to the unique structure and highly integrated lesson plans, Malashock Dance will include a professional development workshop for participating classroom teachers, enabling school sites to continue replicable project activities after the 10 classes with Malashock Dance. Carefully crafted lesson plans are vetted by Malashock Dance and the San Diego Unified School District and focus on academic achievement, physical fitness, artistic development, social cooperation, critical thinking, innovative problem solving, and mathematical reasoning. MATH IN MOTION incorporates multidimensional learning strategies that facilitates student learning in more than one area at once. By adding a physical element to the process of exploring math concepts, this program will increase the depth of learning and understanding, especially for students who have not been successful in a traditional sedentary classroom environment. In addition, ESL (English Second Language) students are given a visceral experience where non-verbal communication is used to teach, learn, and re-enforce benchmarks for success. The program includes a multi-pronged approach to evaluation, ensuring that student learning, Malashock Dance teaching artists, and program coordination are assessed. The program's first year of classes will take place from September 2011 through June 2012.