Mary Frances Massey is a teaching artist located in Memphis, TN. She teaches at New Ballet Ensemble in their pathways program which reaches students in Shelby County Schools and beyond. Her programs include incorporating movement into the narration of favorite children’s books and using movement to teach core classes, such as her program Math & Hip Hop ©. Mary Frances offers teacher development workshops, artist residencies & artist trainings. She joined the Tennessee Arts Commission Teaching Artist Roster in 2022 & has been an active on the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Teaching Artist roster and Artist Roster since 2017. Massey is a professional singer and can be heard on “Thacker Mountain Radio” on MPB and around the North Mississippi & Memphis area with her band “Massey Tate”. She frequently works as a background vocalist in the recording industry. You can find more information at www.maryfrancesmassey.com.
Sample Programs Offered
Program Type: Arts Integration
Program Description:
In the following video clip you will see three examples of my work in schools.
The first clip from 0:00-2:05- is my lesson plan “The lifecycle of a Butterfly”. This was taught to students in Kindergarten & First Grade, mirroring the lifecycle of a butterfly, showing its transformation from a caterpillar with movements, and ending with the butterfly emerging.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Integration
Program Description:
This arts integration lesson was created as a way to get students to be active while learning.
The students will :
- Learn the movements that go along with each number and symbol movements that go along with each number and symbol
- Piece together math problems using the Math & Hip Hop “Formula”
- Make more advanced problems, adding in larger numbers, multiplication, etc.
- Break into groups and create one addition or subtraction problem and one multiplication
or division problem.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Integration
Program Description:
The third lesson submission is from my Narration & Movement Program- of My Many Colored days. Students express all the different emotions through singing, dancing and acting.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
