“Discover Figure Skating”
Patch Program

Introduction Metro Edge Figure Skating Club of Missouri is pleased to offer this free pamphlet as a learning guide for children to introduce them to performing arts and the Olympic sport of figure skating. We invite you to learn more about figure skating and discover The Nutcracker story and music.

An optional activity to this patch program is to attend a live production of our Nutcracker On Ice show. It is held annually during the month of December in Webster Groves, Missouri (St. Louis County). We produce this show to offer local student skaters a fun opportunity to display their skills as well as to provide some great family entertainment for the community. Learning from the activities in this patch program ahead of time will enhance you and your children’s enjoyment of the show. You also have the option to attend the annual "Oscars on Ice" show held each April/May.

For more information or questions, please contact the Metro Edge FSC; nichole@MetroEdgeFSC.org

Requirements

This patch program is suitable for student groups, clubs, families and scouting troops. You may wish to work on this patch program as an extra-curricular lesson to complement a field trip to the skating rink. Select the activities most appealing and the number of activities that are age-appropriate for your group. The activities marked with an asterisk (*) are most beneficial to the purpose of this program. Once complete you can award your students with a patch. (See Ordering Patches below.)

For Girls Scouts it is recommended that:

• Daisy Girl Scouts complete 2 activities

• Brownies complete 3 activities

• Juniors complete 4 activities

• Cadettes complete 5  activities

• Seniors complete 6 activities

  • We suggest that activities with an asterisk (*) be required for the maximum benefit of the program. If you are located in the St. Louis area you will want to take advantage of the "Girl Scout Special" group tickets offer for the Nutcracker On Ice show. This offer includes patches, group seating and free leader tickets. If you are not able to attend the Nutcracker On Ice show, patches will available to purchase.

Ordering Patches Orders for patches will be taken between October and January.
The cost is $2 per patch. Download an order form.

Group Ticket Sales By ordering tickets to Nutcracker On Ice as a group you will have a block of the best seats available reserved for your group. You will also receive the discounted pre-order ticket price. Orders for group ticket sales will begin in September and all orders are due by the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. A minimum of eight tickets must be ordered.

The "Girl Scout Special" is available to Girl Scout Troops only. In addition to reserving a block of the best seats available for your group, this offer provides patches for your scouts plus two free tickets for your leaders. Additional adult or tag-along tickets at the discounted pre-order price may be added to your order. A minimum of 6 scout tickets must be ordered for this offer.

Download order forms from the show web site www.NutcrackerOnIce.org . Select the "Tickets" hyperlink at the top of the page.

Patch Program Activities

1. *Learn the story of The Nutcracker written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Then, review the story of the Nutcracker On Ice show. This can be found at the web site www.NutcrackerOnIce.org . Is the plot the same? How are these two stories different? Who are the main characters?
    

2. Learn about nutcrackers and their history. Their shape ranges from a simple metal kitchen tool to elaborately decorated dolls. Borrow nutcrackers from family or friends then hold a "show and tell" with your group.
    

3. The Nutcracker Ballet is based on The Nutcracker story. The music for this ballet was composed by Peter Tchaikovsky. Listen to some or all of the ballet music (available on CD from most libraries). Be able to identify "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy", "Waltz of the Flowers" and "Russian Dance".
    

4. *Attend a live performance of figure skating; a show, recital or competition. Try to speak to a figure skater and ask them questions such as how they got started in skating, how old they were, and how much time they practice each week. Metro Edge Figure Skating Club performs 2 major shows a year. The Nutcracker On Ice held each December and Oscars On Ice held in April/May of each year. This year, the Metro Edge Figure Skating Club is host of the Show-Me State Games that qualify skaters all across Missouri for the National State Games of America Competition held in Colorado Springs in 2009.
    

5. Why are there different kinds of ice skates? Learn the difference between a figure skate, a hockey skate and a speed skate. How are the shapes of the blade different? What moves do figure skaters perform which are not typically done by hockey players or speed skaters?
    

6. What is Figure Skating? Make a vocabulary sheet on figure skating. List a minimum of 10 items including the definitions for these words: toe picks, edges, stroking and swizzle. Hint: The Metro Edge Figure Skating Club has an extensive list of Figure Skating Terminology!
    

7. It takes many people to produce a show. Define the role of the Producer, Director, Choreographers, and Cast Members. Look through a playbill and find where these important people are recognized.
    

8. Visit a skating rink and attend a public skating session. Arrange to have a professional figure skating coach from the rink demonstrate some of the beginning figure skating moves to your group including what to do if you fall. Try one of these beginner moves. Also, take some time to watch the figure skating students who usually practice in the center section of the ice. See if you can spot these moves: crossovers, spins and jumps. You will notice that figure skaters will fall and bounce right back up many times during practice when trying to learn a new and difficult move. Contact the MEFSC to arrange this!
    

9. What are figure skating clubs? Using the US Figure Skating web site www.usfigureskating.org select the "Clubs" hyperlink and search for the figure skating club nearest your home zip code. Contact this club to get a copy of their membership form or other club information. Why do skaters want to join figure skating clubs? What are the benefits? Metro Edge Figure Skating Club has their membership information online!
    

10. There are five separate disciplines in competitive figure skating: men’s singles, ladies singles, pairs, ice dancing and synchronized team skating. List a well-known skater, pair, or team from each of these disciplines and one of their major accomplishments.

Congratulations on discovering more about Figure Skating! Ordering Patches Orders for patches will be taken between October and January. The cost is $2 per patch. Download an order form.

We hope you have the opportunity to attend our Nutcracker On Ice show to round out your learning experience and have some good family fun. Also, see if figure skating is for you; take a class at your local rink.

 

© Metro Edge Figure Skating Club; 2007. For corrections, concerns or comment, please contact the Webmaster.