Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

 

(Greenberg, J., Jordan, S., & Floca, B. (2010). Ballet for Martha: making Appalachian Spring. New York: RB/Flash Point.)

Summary: Greenberg and Jordan write based on the true story of the creation of Appalachian Spring. Accompanied by Floca’s illustrations, the authors give the reader a behind the scenes view of the collaboration that occurred between Martha Graham’s vision, Aaron Copeland’s compositions, and Isamu Noguchi’s set along with the dancers’ clear dedication and rigorous practice. They paint a story that captures the attention of dancers and non-dancers alike.

 

Reading Level: Lexile AD710L / Ages 5 to 8

Suggested Delivery: Read Aloud/Shared Reading

Electronic Resources:

1.      Appalachian Spring Video

2.      Authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan’s Website

Teaching Suggestions:

Key Vocabulary:

1.      Composer

2.      Choreographer

3.      Transforms 

4.      Unusual

5.      Severe

   Reading Strategies:

          Before: Briefly introduce the idea of a ballet or a play. What goes into the creation of a     performance such as these? Who is involved? What makes the play a success?

            During: Have students come up with questions about productions and dance that they will write down while listening to the story.    

            After: The students will turn to a partner and share their questions. The students will attempt to answer each other’s questions. After a bit of time, the students will share the questions with the rest of the class. The questions will be written on a large sheet of   paper.

   Writing Activity:

            The students will pick one of the questions and research by asking an expert and looking up online.  The students will construct a short paragraph which answers their question. These answers will be shared with the rest of the class and posted for all to read.

 Sandra Jordan 

  



Jan Greenberg