Faculty of Education students from the University of Ottawa and CODE members met at the University of Ottawa on Friday, March 27th for a day of Drama and Dance workshops. The day was organized by East Regional Coordinator, Jessica Sokolowski, and was facilitated by former president, Michael Wilson, Past President Matthew Sheahan, North East Coordinator Michelle Gram Giessen, and former East Regional Coordinator Giselle Paquette.
Workshops included:
Opening activities - Michael Wilson
To begin the day, we “played” through interactive activities that build community, foster creativity and prepare our minds and bodies to be present at the workshops.
Improv for Human Development - Matthew Sheahan
The focus of this workshop was on using improv strategies and techniques to support opportunities for developing critical thinking, problem solving, listening and collaborative skills without formal performance in the Drama classroom.
Exploring Activism Through Story Drama - Michelle Gram Giessen
This interactive workshop explored how The Weedflower by Elizabeth Davaze can be used as a catalyst for Story Drama. Participants engaged in movement, tableau, role-play, and in-role discussion to examine themes of belonging, power, fairness, and collective decision-making.
Words that Move - Giselle Paquette
This workshop was aimed at all teachers from elementary to high school. Using words as stimulus participants were guided through movement sequences referencing the elements of dance: BEST: Body, Energy, Space and Time. This practice can be used as a dance lesson or integrated with any subjects or lesson.
