From the Paper
"The life story of any artist is of great interest to those who wish to gain a better understanding of the artist s work. Don McDonagh has provided the means to understand the work of one great artist in his volume titled simply, Martha Graham: A Biography.
Martha Graham was the oldest of the three daughters of George Greenfield Graham and Jane Beers Graham. She was born on May 11, 1894, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Her father was a physician whose practice provided a comfortable life for the family. In those days it was common for young girls to take an interest in the theater. Martha was no exception. One of her early attempts at costume design involved dressing up the family s reluctant terrier in doll clothes. This episode is telling of her deep and lifelong interest in animals. She was ..."

Abstract
This paper critically analyzes Garry Will's description of how dancer/choreographer Martha Graham was an innovator and leader in advancing modern dance in America. The paper addresses Graham's early training, her creativity and leadership style.

From the Paper
"Wills notes that an artist can be successful, important and influential, without being a leader. Talent alone, even when coupled with drive, ambition and determination to succeed, does not necessarily result in leadership. In the case of dancer choreographer and innovator, Martha Graham, was a veteran of a Los Angeles dance school called Denishawn which was founded by Ruth St Denis and Ted Shawn. As a dancer, Graham took from this school her understanding of the sacredness of the body and a..."

Tags:Garry Wills, Martha Graham, leadership, dance, choreography

Abstract
The paper discusses the contribution of American dancer, Martha Graham, who pioneered a technique of her own that became part of the contemporary dance milieu. The paper relates the life story of Graham and looks at how she broke with traditions and made a name for herself in the dance world.

Outline:
The Late Blooming of a Dancer
The Martha Graham We Knew
The Evolution of Martha Graham
The Graham Technique and Expressionist Choreography
The Triumph and the Legacy

From the Paper
"Martha Graham's story as a dancer was unlike others whose lives were rags to riches stories or struggled through harsh economic conditions and braved all to be one of the greats not only in the world of dancing but in the annals of history as well. Graham was born into a wealthy family who traced their lineage back to Miles Standish - a New England hero who were with the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower. In 1909 the family relocated to Santa Barbara, California (Gale Cengage Learning, 2007). "Her father, a doctor specializing in nervous disorders, was very interested in diagnosis through attention to physical movement. This belief in the body's ability to express its inner senses was pivotal in Graham's desire to dance. Athletic as a young girl, Graham did not find her calling until she was in her teens. (Public Broadcasting Service, 2007)" Graham's formal training in dance began at the University of Cumnoch where she studied theater and dance from 1913 to 1916. Thereafter, she joined the Denishawn School managed by the husband and wife tandem, Ruth St.-Denis and Ted Shawn. Denishawn became Graham's second home where she learned classical and modern dance. Denishawn also specialized in that which was novel and exotic to American sensibilities: Greek pageants, Japanese sword dances, sexy Spanish flamencos (Gale Cengage Learning, 2007). During her eight years at Denishawn, Graham was not only a student but she did some instructing on her own when she got better with her craft. It is at Denishawn also that Graham met the composer Louis Horst."

Tags:dancing, Graham, technique

Abstract
This paper discusses the life of dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham. The paper relates her life to the description of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, in "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" of the progression and emergence of a superhuman. The paper describes Nietzsche's philosophy and discusses the various aspects of Graham's life in terms of the camel, the lion and the child that Nietzsche discusses.

Table of Contents:
The Camel--The Young Graham
The Maturing Graham--The Lion
The Graham Legacy--The Child

From the Paper
"Martha Graham lived for ninety-six years, and was increasingly criticized for her refusal to stop performing in her own dances. However, Graham's unique physicality combined with her fortitude of mind gave birth, to a unique ideal of American dance. It is hard not to think of the Superman when one hears of Graham's own attempt, like Nietzsche, to harkens back to Greek mythology with dances such as "Cave of the Heart" (1946), which contains no sentimentality or beauty, as was still expected in dance of the day, to tell the tale of a woman who slays her children. Graham was also capable of creating life-affirming works like "Appalachian Spring" (1944), one of Copeland's most famous tunes that told the story of an American pioneer wedding with primitive intensity and love of nature. (Teachout, 1998, p.3)"

Tags:primitive, intuitive, talents

Abstract
The paper outlines Frederick Douglass' early years as a slave to Aaron Anthony, including his learning to read, his failed escape and subsequent imprisonment and his eventual escape to New York. The paper relates that rather than letting his hardships in slavery crush him, Frederick Douglass used his adversity to become one of the greatest American speakers of all time. The paper contains an annotated bibliography.

From the Paper
"Frederick Douglas was actually born with the name Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey on February 14, 1818. The son of an unknown white man and a slave mother, Frederick spent the first few years of his life being raised by his grandmother. Betsey Bailey took care of all of Harriet's children until they were old enough to be put to work themselves. The cabin in which Frederick grew up with Betsey and the other children was several miles from Holmes Hill Farm, and his mother did not get to visit her children very often. Because of this, Douglass had only indistinct and incomplete memories of his mother. He remembered his grandmother far more, but it was not always a sweet memory--at the age if six, without explaining what was happening, his grandmother took him to a nearby plantation and dropped him off with his siblings that were already there, then disappeared without saying goodbye to him. This was Frederick Bailey's real introduction to slavery, and his lifetime struggle against the system that allowed for the enslavement of other men, even children, had begun as well."

Tags:slavery, slaves, plantations, literacy, escape

Abstract
The main purpose of this paper is to examine one of the factors that promote high quality education provision (namely, effective leadership) in a private kindergarten in Argentina. It analyses what the author considers to be the three key aspects that form the base of effective leadership in an early years setting. These are the setting of the institution's goals; staff development and teamwork.
Outline
Argentina's Education Policy
Testimony of an Argentinean Kindergarten Teacher
Setting the Institution's Goals
Teamwork
Staff Development
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Another attribute regarded as essential for a leader of an early years setting is his or her responsibility to establish a positive attitude to relationships with the teachers, parents and children. It is the leader's duty to create a relaxed climate from which self-disclosure will emerge, allowing teachers, parents and children to feel understood. Taking Rodd's words: 'It is the leader who determines the psychological climate of the group and motivates individual member's level of performance in the achievement of the groups goals' (Rodd,1994; p.21). Teamwork, appears to be a good way of overcoming barriers to communication, as by this mean, leaders and practitioners get a chance to share their own values and experience. Likewise, Schon (1988) emphasises the concept of teamwork to enable support, guidance and encouragement of reflective teaching. This in turn means teachers working together with the leader to better understand their practice, and this improves their teaching and classroom organisation. Collaboration among teachers results in an increase in their motivation, self-esteem and reflective behaviour upon their practice."

Tags:quality, role, head, teacher

Abstract
This paper discusses how Graham transformed two areas of American dance: First was classical ballet that dated back several hundred years and included prescribed body positions, defined geometrical relationships among the dancers and, most of all, precision. Second were the folk dances of Asia, Africa and native America, which had long been considered popular art or craft forms instead of high art. The paper looks at her life's work, her contributions and achievements.

From the Paper
"When she was a freshman in high school, Graham went with her parents to see the early modern dancers Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn in Los Angeles and was immediately hooked. She spent her next three summers at their Denishawn dance school and enrolled in the company after completing junior college. In 1920, Shawn created for himself and Graham his most original vaudeville spectacular "Xochitl" about the legends of the New World (Kendall 167). Shawn had already recognized Graham's outstanding dance and theatrical qualities and wanted to feature them. In the play Xochitl dances Salome-like for the emperor, then fights him off as he advances on her in a drunken state. The success of the melodrama was crucial to Graham's future. During her three years at Denishawn, she had begun to develop her new dance movements. "This production gave her the chance to experiment night after night with dynamics-that link between the visible dance shapes and the dancer's inner passion." "

Tags:ballet, folk

Abstract
This paper addresses the issue of multiculturalism and its connection to teaching students for whom English is a second language. It examines two main schools of thought. One believes that although schools should recognize the diversity of cultures in our midst, the primary goal of education should be to teach all children to speak English fluently, as soon as possible, and to make sure they are solidly grounded in mainstream American culture. An alternate view is that instructional approaches should support the development of the primary language and understanding of the primary culture rather than acculturation to mainstream culture.

From the Paper
"Over the past few decades, the United States has become a country of markedly more diverse subcultures than ever before. At the same time, educators have grown in their understanding and appreciation of the richness that diversity can bring to the educational environment. In spite of this, little research has gone into the effects of language instruction on the cultural development and understanding of students for whom English is a second language. The value of multicultural education is recognized at all levels of education in our country. Recognition of cultural differences as an enriching fact does exist in preschool. However, some educators concerned with the needs of "second culture" children believe that culture and language cannot be separated, and that cultural diversity that eliminates the child's primary language is inherently distorting (Phillips & Crowell, 1999a)."

Tags:english, second, instruction, culture, primary

Abstract
This paper deals with the concept of early childhood development. It provides a history of the research in the field and explains what technological advancement have recently been made. It examines topics such as world view's of early childhood, cognitive development, technology and learning, alternative learning and national curriculum.

From the paper:

"Children in the developmental stage of early childhood (ages 3 through 8) are concrete learners. They are exceptionally sensory; they learn best by touching, tasting, hearing, smelling, and moving their bodies. Children in this age range are active learners. They are interested in experiments, trial and error, representing what they are learning through construction and play, and finding answers in picture books. They like to find things out on their own. As they gradually become more focused on other people and the outside world, children become aware that there are many adult skills that they do not have. In environments where they are encouraged to try out these skills (such as writing) at their own appropriate level, they enthusiastically embrace learning. "

Tags:maturity, skills, pretend, activities, accomplishment, theories, interaction, environment, concept, observation, experience, sensual, maturation

Abstract
The following discussion evaluates the issues related to early childhood education in today's society. The writer points out that it is critical for children to obtain the skills and knowledge that are necessary to advance to higher levels. Further, the writer notes that these early years are the most critical development years, and therefore, education must be concentrated in providing support and goals for achievement.

From the Paper
"The education of very young children in modern society is critical to the development and maturity of these children into adolescence and adulthood. It is imperative that individual support of these objectives is sought and achieved on a regular basis as a means of discovery and in order to capture the attention of young minds when they are most likely to absorb knowledge. A wide variety of perspectives are available regarding this aspect of education, and it is necessary to identify and evaluate the specific issues related to leadership in both a gender and non-gender context. The following discussion will address these two perspectives in greater detail, providing an assessment of two articles that provide support for these issues."

Tags:early, childhood, education