In late December, 2011, teachers at Midvale Elementary requested that I come to their school and help the second graders relax, refresh, and refocus which was getting very difficult to do as the holidays approached. I was hired by the P.T.O. to do a mini-residency as a guest artist for three days. They wanted me to teach the entire second grade how to do the Tai Chi Animal Frolics.
Fifty kids are practicing the Balancing Crane
Each day of the residency I taught several classes at a time, both in the classroom and in the gym. On the third day 120 students moved with both creativity and calm as they explored animal movements and learned the Tai Chi Animal Frolics form.
Closeup of kids doing the Balancing Crane
Holding the Tai Chi Ball
Looking for Animal Action Words in Library Books
Using children’s literature inspires children to learn more about the five animals in the form and develop a stronger connection with the form itself. The Tai Chi Animal Frolics program integrates all subjects to deepen the learning experience. Teachers can design lessons incorporating science, math, social studies, language arts, poetry, drama, and dance based on thematic material related to the Tai Chi Animal Frolics. Specific workshops, residencies and in-services can be designed for any setting, be it a school, hospital, community center, after-school club, or workplace.