Dancing Shapes: Ballet and Body Awareness for Young Dancers (Dancing Shapes Series)
#1 of 4 in Dancing Shapes Series
on Goodreads (11)
What’s inside...
Dancing Shapes is an interactive pandemic creation by an award-winning dance teacher and her ballerina daughter, Konora. The book offers an inside look into a ballerina's journey, sidelined by COVID-19, and includes warm-up steps, lessons in basic ballet technique, and an exploration of movement and form. With over fifty poses to contemplate or re-create, it helps aspiring young dancers learn ballet technique, develop an eye for detail, increase body awareness, and strengthen spatial perception. It also celebrates gratitude, the value of practice, and making healthy choices. The book has been well-received by parents and children, praised for its inspirational content and beautiful imagery that encourages readers to try and explore new movements.
Character compass
Ballerina Konora
Discussion points
How do you think the dancers felt when they were learning to dance?
What are some ways the dancers used their bodies to express themselves?
Can you name a few body movements from the book and show me how they're done?
Why do you think practicing ballet is important for the dancers?
How would you create a dance to tell a story about your day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Prior to reading, encourage your child to think about what they know about ballet and dancing.
As you read the book together, pause at vivid illustrations of dance movements and ask your child to describe what they see.
After reading, have your child demonstrate some of the ballet positions or movements mentioned in the book.
Discuss the emotions and expressions conveyed through dance in the book and relate them to everyday feelings and actions.
Encourage your child to use their imagination to choreograph a simple dance based on their favorite part of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Body Awareness
Explanation: The book guides young readers through the fundamentals of ballet, which emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting one's body movements.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be mindful of their physical actions and how to control their bodies during daily activities, improving coordination and balance.
Example Lesson: Self-Expression
Explanation: Through ballet, characters in the book express their emotions and tell stories with their movements, teaching the value of creative expression.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by using dance or other forms of art to convey their feelings and thoughts, fostering emotional intelligence and creativity.
Example Lesson: Discipline and Practice
Explanation: The young dancers in the book practice regularly, showing that dedication and hard work lead to improvement.
Real-World Application: This lesson is applicable in all areas of a child’s life, from academic subjects to hobbies, underlining the importance of consistent effort and perseverance.
Example Lesson: Cultural Appreciation
Explanation: Ballet is presented not just as a dance form but as an art that encompasses history and culture, enriching the children's understanding.
Real-World Application: Children will learn to appreciate and respect various cultures and histories, which can be applied in their interactions with diverse communities.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Dancing in a group requires cooperation and synchrony among dancers, reflecting the book's emphasis on teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding of teamwork in collaborative tasks at school or in sports, learning to work effectively with others towards a common goal.