EL Creative Movement Class Hosts Emory Students

by Head of Community Engagement Gordon Mathis

Early Learning Creative Movement teacher Juana Farfán and her students recently hosted students from Emory University to visit their classes. Emory Dance professor Lori Teague and her students in Dance Pedagogy observed two levels of Creative Movement: students in Pre-K and second grade.

“For Pre-K students, the class is structured, focusing on loco-motor skills and movement in a defined space,” explains Ms. Farfán. “For the older students, Creative Movement is part of arts integration in second grade as the students develop ‘The Story of Me.’ Each child improvises an action that reflects their personality.”

The college students marveled at the dramatic differences in instruction across the two age groups. Ms. Farfán employs different “languages of instruction” for the two sets of children: direct instruction for the younger students contrasted with developing critical thinking skills and reflection for the older students.

Throughout the year, Farfán collaborates with other EL teachers to create and implement lesson plans involving authentic movement appropriate for each age level. Students participate in Creative Movement during a four-week rotation; each child in EL takes the class every day for a week every four weeks. 

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Teague and her students for a return visit in the near future!