AlphaBeat, the reprint, hot off the presses! Same great music, different packaging, and the booklet is now a download: easy to read, nice to use. See below for the guide and an additional download of target concepts.
AlphaBeat is for children, families, teachers, and anyone who loves to move, imagine and create. The activities are based on my 25 years of teaching dance and creative movement in the classroom. The targeted age range is preschool through grade 4 (ages 3–10), with the majority of activities aimed at Kindergarten through grade 3 (ages 5–9).
AlphaBeat includes warm ups and activities based on creative movement fundamentals: actions, shapes, locomotor movement, expression, and qualities of movement. You’ll also find a big dose of words. I love language as much as I love movement.
The downloadable companion guide is filled with illustrations done by school children that have danced with me and kept drawn and written journals of their experiences. It also includes activity instructions and tips for teaching the material.
Download target concepts here for suggested lesson objectives and reflection question starters.
Extended notes for "The More We Are Together" can be downloaded here. This document gives useful ideas for how to teach the form of the dance simply and easily.
With AlphaBeat, a teacher could build movement in the classroom and enhance a physical education program. Families could enjoy dancing around the living room together. Home schooling parents could use AlphaBeat as part of their physical education and performing arts component.
This is my third audio recording and collaboration with keyboardist Neal Robinson and percussionist Rocky Maffit.
AlphaBeat is available directly from the author or through West Music priced at $17 plus tax & shipping.
Watch me teach two of the activities from AlphaBeat: Action Dance and The Snowflake Dance.
Read These Rave Reviews!
"ALL my students are enjoying your music so much. I have found that the poetry you add is REALLY helping my special needs student. She really likes things with rhythm and pattern to them. Many thanks!"
Kerry B. Dance Teacher, Pleasant Valley, N.Y.
"My daughters, ages 5 and 8, absolutely LOVE the AlphaBeat CD!!!! They danced to it most of Saturday night!"
Anna K. Parent, Champaign, IL
"We LOOOOOOOOVE your Alphabeat CD and have played it over and over and over again. My daughter, Atalya, who is 5 and in Kindergarten found you at our library. Both Atalya and my son (who is 2) adore you. What a find!! I teach preschool and have recommended you to our school as well as to a movement/music teacher that we take classes with. Thank you for inspiring and filling our days with much joy."
Avi G. Parent, Potomac, Maryland
“Thank you for the great CD-Alpha Beat has become the current favorite and when we’re not listening to it, we’re humming or whistling those catchy tunes.”
Amy, Parent, Ann Arbor, Michigan
