Tree Dance – A Movement Exploration “Star Dance” Variation by Lyndsay Jackson
by Lindsay Jackson
A few months ago, I attended a workshop at Wisdom of the Earth that had elements of medicinal aromatherapy, meditation, and mindfulness. WOTE’s Education Director, Cynthia Olivera, led us through a fantastic movement activity where we started as seeds and slowly (over 30 minutes) grew into trees that danced around the room. It reminded me so much of John’s “Star Dance” movement exploration, that I adapted the activity to use in my First Steps lessons! I added more detail to the story and shortened the time frame of the activity to be around 3-4 minutes, and my kids loved it! It was also especially appropriate because at my school we talk about the Kindergarten students being “little acorns” and the graduating seniors being “mighty oaks.” I asked Cynthia if I could share with all of you how I adapted the activity for the classroom, and she was thrilled for you to be able to use it! So, here is my version of Cynthia’s “Tree Dance.”