Ms. Sadie finds 108 bubbles.
by Sadie Yarrington
Wednesday, March 26th was a day filled with firsts.
- It was the first time I had ever heard the Beatles playing over the loud speakers at an elementary school.
- It was the first time I was stopped short at the sight of 5th graders in full pilgrim attire.
- It was my first day teaching four 1st grade classes in a row.
- It was the first time I had ever seen lunch tables that fold up to be stored inside the cafeteria walls (fantastic use of space)!
- It was the first time I had written my entire lesson on a white board - I'm partial to larger paper or an easel, but excited by this new writing terrain.
- It was the first time I met the 1st graders at Alta Vista Elementary.
- It was the first time many of them had ever danced (so they thought).
- It was the first time I got to play with exactly 108 bubbles.
Yup, I said it. I played with, around and was inspired by the moves and grooves of 108 bubbles. After our Wake-Up routine (breathing, stretching, yoga poses, animal poses/noises) and our Warm-Up (strength building, aerobic, full body movements set to music), it was time to blow bubbles!
We each blew the largest bubble we could, stepped inside, closed it up behind us and found our very own space in the room to float. Bubbles, for many of us adults, instantly bring us back to the whimsical naivety of childhood. I, along with 108 new friends, was in a happy happy place.
Inside our bubbles, we explored axial movements; movements that stay in one place. We found our bubbles and bodies could bounce, twist, turn, rise, fall, wiggle, sway, swing, march, stretch, bend, rotate, and balance. Our bubbles transformed into a sun or moon that could rise and set. Our bubbles morphed into rocket ships as we counted 3, 2, 1, BLAST-OFF and then returned safely back to earth. Our bubbles took us out of the cafeteria and in to our imaginations. Our bubbles were a safe and exciting way to explore all the different ways we can move.
Want to know the best part? When the bubbles popped as we joined each other in a closing Cool-Down, the room stirred with even more creative energy and ideas! I have a feeling these 1st graders are going to make magic every week.
Next class we will take our bubbles on traveling adventures and explore locomoting through space. I am eager for, and expecting, another day filled with first graders/experiences!
- - - -
Invert/ED is Invertigo's education program. We are currently working on a 10-week residency with 4 first-grade classes through the wonderful Music Center Education Program. More information on Invert/ED can be found here.