Incorporating dance into classroom learning

One of the tasks I was assigned last week was to write an internal blog entry on dance resources. We were to choose one and identify how dance could be used to support other areas in the curriculum. In an effort to make my learning visible to others I’m reposting my entry here.

Dance resources I explored

Arts online has some great resources for all levels of the schooling. I looked specifically at the resources for junior primary as I’m about teach Year 1/2. The internet also has some great stuff to find and adapt to your students.

I found myself memorised by this Junior high lip dub which was a great advertisement for both the clubs and the school and I’ve already proclaimed my love of the anti-bullying flashmob  by the Vancouver students that went viral.

Which dance resource did I choose?

I chose the pairs and prepositions from the Dance Across the Curriculum.

How would you use this resource to enhance other learning?

Literacy –  Students are using vocabulary and prepositions as texts to communicate through movement.

Social Science – impact of groups and spaces on relationships.

Language learning- this activity could be adapted for language learning by changing from English to the target language (in fact I’ve used something similar with language learners).

Science – this activity gives students an opportunity to explore everyday examples of physical phenomena such as movement.

Apart from being fun, dance also said the development of concepts in other areas of the curriculum.  Although activities like DDR might be useful in developing physical fitness, dance also gives teachers the oppurtunty to incorporate different styles of learning into our classroom programme.

I’m already in planning stages for series of music lessons I need to teach for my arts assignment however I think I’ll incorporate some movement into the unit as well.

For classroom teachers out there how do you incorporate dance into your class programme?