Performing Arts | Teachable Moments

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Media Gallery

Grades: PreK-K, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-5, Grown-Ups and Educators

Favorite

Intro to Jazz

Jazz is a genre of music that’s African music played on European instruments. One cool component of jazz is “composing on the fly” according to musician and educator Howie Alexander, artistic director of the Afro-American Music Institute. You need to listen—and practice every day.

Acting Out Your Feelings

Learn how to use all your emotions in an acting game called, “These pretzels are making me thirsty.” Jim Scriven, a long-time faculty member of the Pittsburgh CLO Academy, demonstrates—along with some student actors—how acting out different emotions helps build confidence.

Make a Dance

It doesn’t take much more than your imagination and a little movement to create a really fun dance routine. Attack Theatre dancers Sarah Zielinski and Allison Popieski show us how to choreograph a dance that reflects our own personalities. Get moving!

Your Voice Tells a Story

Does your voice need a “tune up?” Pittsburgh Festival Opera singer Emily Gallagher gives us a “melodious” lesson on the many ways you can use your voice. It’s also a one-minute introduction to opera!

Support Materials

Make a Dance – Extension Resource
Opera – Extension Resource
Jazz – Extension Resource
Act Our Your Feelings – Extension Resource

About

This media gallery of Teachable Moments videos focuses on the performing arts. Try out these activities on your own and check out the resources for more ways to extend the learning.

iQ: smartparent Teachable Moments are short vignettes that “extend the learning” at home or in the classroom with additional information, resources, and ideas in the form of PDFs

iQ: smartparent is an Emmy Award-winning program about parenting in the digital age. WQED-TV created a television series and social network for parents to empower them with new knowledge, tools, and abilities to successfully guide their children in the use of digital media and technology. Our show is developed in partnership with WQED’s award-winning education, production, and interactive teams.

Credits: WQED

Standards

9.1 Production, Performance, and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts

9.1.3.A / 9.1.5.A — Know and use the elements and principles of each art form
9.1.3.B / 9.1.5.B — Recognize, know, use, and demonstrate a variety of appropriate arts elements and principles
9.1.3.C / 9.1.5.C — Recognize and use fundamental vocabulary within each art form
9.1.3.D / 9.1.5.D — Describe and use a variety of techniques and media to create and perform works in the arts
9.1.3.E / 9.1.5.E — Demonstrate the ability to define and solve artistic problems
9.1.3.F / 9.1.5.F — Identify and use traditional and contemporary technologies for producing, performing, or exhibiting works in the arts
9.1.3.I / 9.1.5.I — Use movement and vocal expression to communicate character and story

9.2 Historical and Cultural Contexts

9.2.3.A / 9.2.5.A — Explain the historical, cultural, and social context of an individual work in the arts
9.2.3.B / 9.2.5.B — Relate works in the arts to varying styles and genres
9.2.3.C / 9.2.5.C — Identify and describe how time and place influence works in the arts
9.2.3.D / 9.2.5.D — Identify and describe themes in the arts across cultures
9.2.3.E / 9.2.5.E — Identify and describe the roles of artists and audiences

9.3 Critical Response

9.3.3.A / 9.3.5.A — Identify and describe critical processes used in the examination of works in the arts
9.3.3.B / 9.3.5.B — Describe and apply criteria used to evaluate works in the arts
9.3.3.C / 9.3.5.C — Identify and classify styles, forms, and techniques used in the arts
9.3.3.D / 9.3.5.D — Explain meanings and interpretations of works in the arts