Illustrated with abstract and imaginative photographs, this is a philosophical guide for the dance field about the art of teaching modern dance. Integrating somatic theories, scientific research and contemporary aesthetic practices, it asks the reader to reconsider how and why they teach.
Teaching Children Dancecontains a practical framework and approach for presenting creative dance lessons to children in kindergarten to fifth grade. It combines essential dance content appropriate for an elementary-level program with detailed descriptions of strategies. Featuring 20 dance learning experiences, the book has been updated and expanded to reflect educators' renewed commitment to making dance an integral part of children's education. You'll learn to view dance as an art form while improving your teaching and increasing your confidence. You'll also learn the benefits of introducing dance to elementary students, the most effective ways to teach it, and what to teach and when to teach it. In part I, you'll find a wealth of new content, including ideas on how to design and present a dance learning experience composed of units and lessons, suggestions for classroom management, updated assessment content, and strategies for interdisciplinary connections. Part IIpresents 20 dance learning experiences, reorganized for easy reference into two categories: kindergarten to second grade and third to fifth grade. These ready-to-use experiences walk you step by step through the dance process, beginning with an introduction and ending with a dance. Use experiences from either category as a series or dance unit--either way, you'll set a welcoming environment for learning and creating. Other features include the following: -Questions for reflection at the end of each chapter encourage teachers to apply the content to their own teaching style and preferences. -Nuts and bolts for presenting dance learning experiences ensure adherence to national and state standards. -New photographs and illustrations make the book visually attractive and show the ideas presented in action.
Brenda McCutchen provides an integrated approach to dance education, using four cornerstones: dancing and performing, creating and composing, historical and cultural inquiry and analysing and critiquing. She also illustrates the main developmental aspects of dance.
Issues of race, class, gender and religion permeate the study of contemporary dance, resulting in cultural clashes in classrooms and studios. The first of its kind, this book provides dance educators with tools to refocus teaching methods to celebrate the pluralism of the United States. The contributors discuss how to diversify ballet technique classes and dance history courses in higher education, choreographing dance about socially charged contemporary issues, and incorporating Native American dances into the curriculum, among other topics. The application of relevant pedagogy in the dance classroom enables instructors to teach methods that reflect students' culture and affirm their experiences.
With this one-of-a-kind book, dance instructors will develop the confidence and professionalism to quickly and easily go from being a good teacher to a great one, and gain the skills needed to skyrocket their careers.
Dance Teaching Methods and Curriculum Design, Second Edition, presents a comprehensive model that prepares students to teach dance in school and community settings. It offers 14 dance units and many tools to help students learn to design lesson plans and units and create their own dance portfolio.
Training in somatic techniques--holistic body-centered movement that promotes awareness and well-being--provides an effective means of improving dance students' efficiency and ease of movement. However, dance educators do not always have the resources to incorporate this knowledge into their classes. This volume explains the importance of somatics, introduces fundamental somatic principles that are central to the dance technique class, and offers tips on incorporating these principles into a dance curriculum. The authors demystify somatic thinking by explaining the processes in terms of current scientific research. By presenting both a philosophical approach to teaching as well as practical instruction tools, this work provides a valuable guide to somatics for dance teachers of any style or level. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.