Rekha S. Rajan - Integrating the Performing Arts in Grades K–5

Integrating the

PERFORMING
ARTS

in Grades K5

Integrating the

PERFORMING
ARTS

in Grades K5

Rekha S. Rajan

FOR INFORMATION:

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Copyright 2012 by Corwin

All rights reserved. When forms and sample documents are included, their use is authorized only by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities that have purchased the book. Except for that usage, no part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

A catalog record of this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-4522-0395-9

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

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Acquisitions Editor: Jessica Allan
Associate Editor: Allison Scott
Editorial Assistant: Lisa Whitney
Production Editor: Amy Schroller
Copy Editor: Cate Huisman
Typesetter: C&M Digitals (P) Ltd.
Proofreader: Victoria Reed-Castro
Indexer: Judy Hunt
Cover Designer: Edgar Abarca
Permissions Editor: Karen Ehrmann

T he concept of this book has been formulating in my mind for quite some time. As I have observed the value of the performing arts in childrens lives, I have also been troubled with its absence in our schools.

The ideas in this book were generated from my experiences as a performer and teacher. I want to thank all of the children for whom I have had the pleasure of teaching music, theater, dance, and musical theater. There is no greater joy than seeing the vehicle for self-expression, confidence, and creativity that the performing arts provide. I am also grateful to the teachers and graduate and undergraduate students whose ideas have continued to inspire me in many ways.

Working with everyone at Corwin, particularly Jessica Allan, has been a wonderful experience. Jessica, your thoughtful, generous ideas have greatly helped shape this manuscript to what it is today. I knew from our first correspondence that you believed in the performing arts as much as I do, and I look forward to continuing our conversations on this topic.

My family is, of course, my greatest support system. I am always grateful to my in-laws for their support and prayers from afar! My brother and sister-in-law are eternal optimists, cheering on my every endeavor. To my parents, without whom none of this would be possibleyou are both my best audience members. Thanks for always being in the front row. To my dad, for always driving me to auditions. To my mom, my first teacher, for showing me passion as an early childhood educator.

To my husband, Bharat, you are the most incredible person I have ever known. You constantly inspire me to be a better person with your dedication, kindness, and unconditional love. Although it has not been easy balancing our professional responsibilities with sleepless nights of changing diapers (now doubled!) I can always count on you to be there when I need you most.

To my son, Jagan, your smile motivates me, your hugs comfort me, and your laugh is my favorite music. To my daughter, Madhavi, you are everything beautiful in this world. This is for you both.

Corwin gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following reviewers:

Michelle Barnea, RN, MSEd
Early Childhood Educational Consultant
Innovations in Early Learning
Millburn, NJ

Karla Bronzynski
First Grade Teacher
EldoraNew Providence Schools/Iowa Reading Association
Eldora, IA

Rebecca S. Compton
Professor, Elementary Education
East Central University
College of Education
Ada, OK

Tamara Daugherty
Third Grade Teacher
Lakeville Elementary School
Apopka, FL

Stacey B. Ferguson, NBCT
Teacher Consultant, Live Oak Writing Project
Bay Saint Louis, MS

Kimberly Kyff, NBCT
Literacy Coach
Detroit Public Schools
Detroit, MI

Rekha S. Rajan, EdD is an arts education specialist with a focus on early childhood education and assessment. She holds a doctorate in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also received an EdM in music education. She also holds an MA in early childhood professions from Roosevelt University.

Dr. Rajan is a senior research associate with the Center for Arts Education Research at Teachers College, Columbia University, where she is part of ArtsResearch, a team of consultants who evaluate arts-based partnerships around the United States. Through these partnerships, she has interviewed and observed hundreds of public school teachers regarding the strengths and challenges they face with integrating the arts.

Her research interests focus on the impact of the performing arts in the lives of young children and on teachers use of the performing arts in the classroom. She has published articles in General Music Today, Focus on Pre-K&K and Focus on Elementary of the Association of Childhood Education International, and is also the author of the forthcoming book, Childrens Experiences in Musical Theater.

Dr. Rajan has held faculty positions at National-Louis University, where she coordinated the graduate programs in early childhood education, and Roosevelt University where she taught courses in elementary education and supervised student teachers. She has been working with teachers and teacher candidates for more than 10 years, and sits on various Illinois state councils and advisory committees for early childhood assessment. Dr. Rajan is also the president and founder of the Greater Chicago Area Chapter of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association. Prior to teaching in higher education, Dr. Rajan taught music, theater, and dance in studio and classroom settings, and performed in numerous operas, operettas, and musicals.

A young child sits at the piano for the first time, running his hands across the keys, kicking his legs beneath him as they dangle off the bench.

As the curtain rises, a family sits together in the center aisle to watch the opening night performance of a new play.

Two sisters dance together in their bedroom, creating their own choreography to their favorite music, twirling and swirling to the sounds around them.

A cast of children stand anxious and excited on stage in the bright spotlights, adorned in colorful costumes.

T hese vignettes are examples of music, theater, dance, and musical theaterartistic genres that are individually and collectively defined as the performing arts.