Importance of Dance
In Primary School
As we began our dance classes after our Professional Experience, I had already witnessed some the wonderful dance program at my placement school, Canterbury Public School. An outside dance company came once a week and taught stage by stage in the school hall. It was wonderful for me to watch my stage (Stage 2) dance together, as it was so joyful and free. I think that those kinds of experiences in primary school are some of the ones that stay with you most. I certainly remember my Nutbush days at school vividly! They used the Waka Waka by Shakira, and I Cry by Flo Rida as two of the songs for Stage 2, and even now if either come onto the radio they make me smile remembering the pure joy of the children dancing.
Ewing (2010) emphasises that every individual needs to feel comfortable in their bodies both in and outside of school. This comfortableness then translates into self-confidence and self-efficacy, both essential for creative and flexible thinking and which can transfer to risk-taking and trusting with others. Dance is wonderful as it is often about cultural expression, and it can also allow people from other cultures to immerse themselves in the culture. When people dance together, it is "the ultimate in aesthetic and visible rendering of coming together, being in one another's heads and bodies, and joining in mutual support and interdependency" (Heath, 2001, p. 14 from Ewing, 2010). I think dancing breaks down barriers between people, and certainly noticed that from watching my students dance with one another - there was one dance in which the boys and girls had to partner up, and it was interesting how the students rose to the occasion with most being very mature and helping one another with the steps.
The benefits of dance are, I believe, many. Dance promotes students to collaborate, hear one another's voices, gain confidence in themselves and their bodies, and requires focussed attention and memory of steps. I am excited to learn more that I can implement in the school context.
Elements of dance included in the curriculum:
Differences between creative dance and non art dance
Video Analysis
Dance Like Your Ol' Man by Chunky Move
Hyundai Ad by Pilobolus Dance Company
- How were the elements of Dance used in each piece?
- What was the style and purpose of each?
- How would you describe the quality of movement of the female dancer?
- What shapes did the dancers use?
- Discuss the intent of each piece?
Workshop Ideas
The purpose of warming up is to:
- Physically prepare the body
- Help to focus the mind on the lesson content
- Should reflect the focus or content of the lesson
- Should be structured from the general to the specific (physically and thematically)
A warm-up sequence should last for approx. 20% of the total length of the lesson. For example, in a 40-minute lesson, an 8-10 minute warm-up is appropriate; in a 60-minute lesson, a 12-15 minute warm-up is appropriate.
Warm-ups should include:
- Activities which raise the pulse rate and body temperature, mobilise joints and warm muscles
- Activities that emphasise awareness of space an other members of the class
- Whole-body activities, such as stretching, bending, swinging and circling, and a focus on appropriate individual body parts, depending on the focus of the lesson.
This week's warm up included stretching and walking in line with group in time with music. We then spent the workshop improvising: using two hands, one hand, one foot, no feet etc, then we developed a 16 count routine in groups.
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