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Chelsea Branch » Ms. Branch's Biography

Ms. Branch's Biography

Chelsea Branch is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She attended Hope College in Holland, MI and graduated with a BA in Dance Education K-12 and a minor in English Education. Chelsea worked at Hamilton Elementary School as the dance and yoga teacher. During her years at Hamilton, she designed and implemented a PK-8 dance curriculum centered around National Arts Standards that created opportunities for student creativity and voices. Chelsea worked closely with classroom teachers to build arts integrated units in literacy, math, and science. Additionally, she assisted in leading SEL initiatives that greatly improved the climate and culture for students. Mindfulness is a core value in Chelsea‘s work with students and she was trained by Mindful Schools. Chelsea is passionate about sharing yoga and is certified in Yoga Calm, Rainbow Kids Yoga, and became a RYT 200 yoga teacher through Marianne Wells Yoga School in Costa Rica. 

In her free time, Chelsea loves to read fiction and memoirs, cook (although she’s not very skilled yet), and is a professional dancer and choreographer. Chelsea co-owns The Rooted Space, a dance studio in North Center and serves as the Kids' Business Coach for Guppy Tank, a grant and mentorship program for young entrepreneurs.  

 
 

Posts

Decatur's K-3 students went on a virtual field trip to see "Peter and the Wolf." Before attending the ballet production, they learned about production elements and instrumentation with Ms. Schmittle and Ms. Branch. One reflection question was, "If you had the opportunity to design costumes, the lighting, or the sets for “Peter and the Wolf,” which would you choose and why?" Above is one example of a student who would take the opportunity to design costumes and drew out her one of her inspirational designs!
Third graders are diving into Fosse Choreography by learning one of our favorites from his repertoire, "Steam Heat." We have studied his life, his dance skills, and his inventive choreography and now we are going to learn this silly piece for ourselves! Since we aren't all together to use the black hats at Decatur, we all get to use whatever hats we want! Check out our exciting and crazy assortment of "Steam Heat" hats above! :) 

"Brave Ballerina" The Story of Janet Collins Read Aloud

Kindergarteners heard the story of Janet Collins in "Brave Ballerina" this week. Listen to this courageous woman's story about her journey as a dancer here. They used this response sheet to capture their ideas before and after the story was read aloud. I loved reading your thoughts, Kindergarteners!

Decatur students have been dealing with lots of big emotions since we haven't been at school together. The fifth graders have been working on a continuation of our yoga unit from when we were at school, and are reporting that the yoga practices online have been helping them feel calm, stretched out, and ready to face their day. 
Second Grade has started creating their own dance spaces in their homes for e-learning. Last week, students created maps of their space and this week they used three different types of pathways to start their own choreography. Can't wait for the next creative movement class where they will make these maps and pathways come to live through original choreography!!
Although I miss moving and grooving with the Decatur students at school, they are doing a great job of keeping up with their work at home!! Thank you to all of the Decatur students who are practicing their skills and flexing that choreographic muscle at home! Great work! 

Dear Wizard of Oz Parents and Participants, 

We are so appreciative of your support as we had just begun the process of building our spring show. It is with heavy hearts that we are announcing to students today via google classroom that we have made the decision to postpone the show. We know the students will have tons of questions about how delaying the show will work, but due to the uncertainty of our transition back to school we hope to be able to answer them when we return to the building. We do not currently have all the answers as so much changes day to day - but we will work to create a plan when we return to school. The cast and crew have been working so hard already and we can’t wait to get back to work with them on this performance. In the short time we had, amazing things were happening, so we know that whenever we get started again, we will produce a magical “Wizard of Oz.”

Sincerely, 

Chelsea, Cate & Margaret

Our sixth graders spent some times discussing the positive memories we share in our talking circle yesterday. We created a yarn web to illustrate the connections that we will share forever as a class and a community.

Day of Play in Dance Class!

Our first graders enjoyed a day of play in dance class yesterday! We had a TON of creative fun using squishy balls, ribbons, stuffies, yoga mats, books, spot dots, rainsticks, mindfulness cards, and scarves!
Our Decatur students did an AMAZING job for our winter show, "Anything Can Be!" Mrs. Schmittle and I are so blown away by our students' talent, dedication, and hard work. Thank you to our parent volunteers who helped make this show possible and to our community for attending our performances! Check back for photos from the show soon! Click here to order a DVD from the show. 
The fourth graders are starting their Creative Movement unit and beginning to work on their final project based on the artwork of Dong Il Sheen and music by Jae-Soo Liu. We can't wait to see what each class creates. Be on the look out for an invitation to the final show!

Costume and Ticket Information for Winter Show

Please visit the show page to view your child's costume requirements as well as reserve your free ticket(s) to the show. Please only reserve the amount of tickets you will need as shows can sell out. If you have a change of plans, please cancel your tickets.

Dear 2nd grade parents! 
 
The students of 102 invite you in to part of their Jazz dance class next Friday, December 20th at 10:30 am. We will perform some warm-up exercises and stretches that we do each week with student leaders and a Jazz dance that we have choreographed. 
 
When you arrive at Decatur, please sign in on the security desk's iPad, get a visitor sticker, and wait in the lobby for a second grader to invite you in to the MPR space. Please do not walk down the hallway as other classes will be in session at that time. We look forward to seeing you there!  
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