Iberia Parish

The Drum Circle (PK-5)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Lee Ann Broussard, Music, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Playing for peace in the world, playing for a sick friend, or playing with the hope that everyone does well on testing…but what do these have to do with drums? Well, they are all intentions, and drum circles come together with intention. Students in this session will set their own intentions while they learn three simple hand movements on the djembe or other percussive instruments sitting together in a circle. They will learn how to play the rhythms they feel while thinking of others. At the same time, they will practice staying musically in time/in count with the rest of the group. Drumming circles build community and keep communities strong. If these are intentions for your classroom, consider this session!

Moving Through Testing Anxiety (PK-8)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Iberia Parish, Kelsey Billiot, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, School Celebrations/Events, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Ours can be an anxious world, and taking tests has never been fun. Knowing calming techniques can make that all better! Support students through high-stakes seasons with movement-based tools to release tension and reset the nervous system. Activities in this creative movement session promote regulation, focus, and emotional awareness during testing time.

Festival International (PK-8)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Festivals, High School, Iberia Parish, Kelsey Billiot, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, Middle School, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Across the globe, dance is not only an art form, but a way to communicate. In this session, classes celebrate global cultures through music and movement inspired by Lafayette’s Festival International. Students can explore rhythms and dances from around the world by learning simple choreography based on current artists featured at the festival. Keep calm and dance on!

Number and Letter Recognition (PK-1)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Iberia Parish, Kelsey Billiot, Lafayette Parish, Language Arts, Single Session, Vermilion Parish

Movement practices meet educational foundations in this workshop. Students practice body awareness while learning letters and numbers through a kinesthetic lens. Students will form and recognize letters and numbers using full-body movement. What a way to learn!

Marching Through Mardi Gras (K-5)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Festivals, Iberia Parish, Kelsey Billiot, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, Single Session

Time for a Mardi Gras parade in your classroom! Students in this session explore the history and traditions of Louisiana’s Mardi Gras through creative movement. Using rhythm, locomotor movement, and group choreography, they will discover how parades bring communities together. All the while, students are also building coordination, collaboration, and confidence. Connect movement with Louisiana culture in an engaging, hands-on way! (Note: Activities in this session are adapted for each grade level.)

Oceans & Emotional Regulation (PK-5)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Kelsey Billiot, Lafayette Parish, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

In this session, the ocean is both an inspiration and a metaphor. Add creative movement to the mix, and students will have a powerful tool for emotional regulation! Your students will be guided in a dive deep to find their sense of calm.

Talking Trees! (PK-5)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Kelsey Billiot, Lafayette Parish, Science, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

And the trees were WHAT? Yes, they were TALKING! Trees communicate their needs and send reinforcements to loved ones through a special web of communication. Students explore and learn more about the “mycelium network” and the relationships trees have. After learning, classes will use a story and movement to explore their ideas. Finally, students will express their findings through teamwork and performance.

Nature’s Solar Prints (3-8)

by Mandy McGee | Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, LouSea, Middle School, Science, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Visual Art

Science + art = sun magic! Students in this session will engage in a hands-on exploration of sun-reactive dye and natural elements. Students will create striking solar compositions using foliage, fabric, and light-sensitive dye. Then the sun does its work, and silhouettes of leaves and flowers are permanently imprinted on cloth offering a memorable mix of art and science that connects students to the natural world.

Flower Still Life (1-8)

by Mandy McGee | Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, LouSea, Middle School, Seasons, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Visual Art

This multi-step activity introduces students to the basics of observational drawing and mixed media painting. Students will first sketch fresh flowers in pencil, then add crayon for a wax-resist effect, and finally bring their compositions to life using watercolor. This is art in layers, and creativity unfolds like a flower opening.

Watercolor Winter Cards (2-8)

by Mandy McGee | Elementary School, Holidays, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, LouSea, Middle School, Seasons, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Visual Art

In this festive session, students will design and paint their own holiday greeting cards using watercolor techniques. Students will explore winter themes, color palettes, and personal expression while creating meaningful art to share with loved ones. This session is making the world a more beautiful and expressive place one card at a time!

ADDITIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION RESOURCES