THE FILM
A new non-verbal dance-film from Canada's Suddenly Dance Theatre using the established WITS Programs strategies Walk away, Ignore, Talk it Out & Seek Help.
Suddenly Dance Theatre has created a new toolkit for building healthy relationships through social emotional learning and conflict resolution in collaboration with the WITS Programs, the University of Victoria, Suddenly Media Productions, and six young performers in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
This online education initiative features a non-verbal dance-film - now available for streaming to parents, caregivers and educators everywhere at www.witsinmotion.ca. The film promotes positive relationships, peaceful resolution of peer conflict and social emotional learning using the established WITS Programs stratagies Walk away, Ignore, Talk it Out & Seek Help.
There are no words in the film so it speaks to everyone!
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To create the work, the youth collaborated with a team of filmmakers (co-Directors David Ferguson and Miles Lowry, choreographer Lynda Raino, DOP Daniel Carruthers, Director of Research Dr. Bonnie Leadbeater) to inspire scenarios expressing their own experiences, feelings and observations. The film incorporates music, dance and physical theatre to engage youth audiences, and is a powerful tool for those with speech and hearing disabilities, second language students and those experiencing social and emotional problems.
THE TOOLKIT
A toolkit for building healthy relationships through social emotional learning and conflict resolution.
Suddenly Dance Theatre's new WITS IN MOTION toolkit includes an exclusive Facilitator's Guide which offers questions, creative activities and discussion points that form the springboard for conversation, reconciliation and deeper learning.
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The Facilitator's Guide also includes is a series of images FACES TELL STORIES that can be used in emotion recognition games and activities.
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Created by University of Victoria educators Drs. Bonnie Leadbeater and Donna McGhie-Richmond, and Suddenly Dance Theatre artists David Ferguson and Miles Lowry, the Facilitator's Guide inspires an inclusive education to engage and include diverse learners in diverse settings.
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As a package, the non-verbal dance-film and toolkit resources are ideal for parents, teachers, drama and music educators, school counsellors, speech pathologists, psychologists, child and youth care workers and for YOU!
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THE GOAL
A collaboration of educators and artists.
WITS IN MOTION aims to engage youth and community education through dance and media; create a lasting legacy exemplifying the WITS Programs; and disseminate dance to the widest possible audience.
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The goal of this collaboration between educators and artists is to stop or reduce bullying by offering perpetual learning tools for youth engagement. WITS IN MOTION builds on the established WITS Programs, which currently provide online resources for elementary school children (Grades 1 to 6) and are used by more than 600 schools across Canada.
Suddenly Dance Theatre is working on expanding WITS IN MOTION to reach greater audiences worldwide. Charitable donations are now being accepted to support new language translations via www.suddenlydance.ca
