Teaching: Creative Dance Approach

I

Unit: Teaching

Theme: Creative Dance Approach

 

Introduction

 Creative Dance is a conceptual approach that develops both technical and creative skills at the same time through exploration of movement. The focus of each lesson is based on concepts to explore.

II

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the different parts of a creative dance lesson
• Explain the different concepts that conform the creative dance approach
• Gain an awareness of the benefits the creative dance method has for children and teachers
• Experience the planning and teaching of a creative dance lesson
  

III

Main Lesson

 

1

Review

Mind Up

Brain Breaks

Brain Fitness

Gratitude Journaling

Positive Psychology

Evidence Based Research

Wellness Curriculum

 

Question  1

Why is the MindUp curriculum an important addition to the general curriculum of students K-12.

 

2

Important Definitions

Movement Metaphors

Conceptual Dance/Art

Learning Styles: VAKT

Individuation 

 

Question 2

Explain each one of the definitions listed above.

 

 

3

Role of the Teacher:

• Creativity Facilitators
• Behavior Managers
• Freedom-to-Make-Mistakes Givers 
• Coach vs Teacher vs Mentor

 

 Question 3

In your view, based on the concepts above, what should be the role of a teacher in the dance studio when teaching K trough 12?

IV

A Note to Remember

 

Creative Dance is a contemporary form of dance that combines movement and artistic expression, without the need for specific training. Typically, creative dance focuses on the development of motor skills and emotional expression, as opposed to the aesthetics based focus of dance in more traditional structured settings.

V

Case Study

Educational Video

CREATIVE DANCE - Children's creative dance classes, San Diego NC, California, by Amanda Banks

This video provides creative dance and movement ideas for parents and teachers to help children develop their imaginative, creative, and collaborative capacities. Activities include warm ups, movement games, dance phrases and sequences, improvisation, and choreography. These type of activities are suitable for 6-11 year old boys and girls, with or without any previous dance experience.

 
After watching this video about the way a teacher in San Diego teaches a creative dance class, answer the following questions:

 

Question 4

 
What resonated with you about this class and the teacher? Explain why?

 

Question 5

 

Name the different parts of the class. What is the importance of each part? Explain in your own words.

VI

Activity

 

Students go back to their groups and create a dance class using the creative approach. Write a lesson plan in any way it makes sense to you.

Important definitions may come up:

Movement Metaphors
Conceptual Dance/Art
Learning Styles: VAKT

Individuation 

Role of the Teacher:

Creativity Facilitators
Behavior Managers
Freedom-to-Make-Mistakes Givers 
Coach vs Teacher vs Mentor

 

VII

Journaling

VIII

Glossary

IX

Sources

 

X

Students' Work

XI

Students' Work

Emilia Haderer

Emi and Indi

Warm up: (15 min) 

• Gather students around in a circle and ask for them to make a dance movement that expresses how they feel that day 
• Once every one does their movement, have the students explain how their movement reflected how they are feeling 

Creation of dance

• Explain the different ways dance can express certain feelings and emotions, and group students into different emotions and explain how those feelings can metaphorically be expressed through movements. 
• Put students into groups and have them create an 8-step dance routine 
• Ask the students to choose a song that depicts their movement
• After each group performs, discuss with the class how they visually represented the metaphorical concepts through dance movements, encouraging reflection on the relationship between movement and metaphor in artistic expression. 

Cool down and reflection: 

• Sharing circle where students can share their feelings towards the activity, and how useful they thought it was/ how easy it was for them to express their emotions through movement. 

Teaacher’s role

• No interception, except feedback/ assigning groups
• Challenging the students by asking them how they chose the movements and music they decided on for their dance. 

 

 

Ashley Fincheltub

Creative Dance Approach - Ashley, Gia, Daniela

Warm-up (10 minutes):
    •    Start a class discussion on the role of metaphors in artistic expression, specifically dance.
    •    Practice a visualization exercise, asking students to visualize themselves as the different elements of nature (e.g., wind, water, fire), encouraging them to embody these elements through free-flowing, creative movement.

Creation of Personal Metaphorical Dances (25 minutes):
    •    Ask students to write down words or phrases representing significant emotions, experiences, or concepts that they identify with.
    •    Encourage students to choose one of their words or phrases and develop a movement metaphor to emulate it.
    •    Guide students in exploring their chosen metaphor through improvised movement, offering feedback and guidance as necessary.
    •    Instruct students to craft a 1 minute solo dance inspired by their chosen metaphor to present to the class.

Cool-down and Reflection (10 minutes):
    •    Wrap up with a sharing circle, allowing students to reflect or discuss any meaningful realizations/lessons from the class.

 

 

 

Alessandra Diamond

Kat and Ale

Creative Dance Exploration for Kindergarteners

Our goal: Students will explore basic movements and rhythms using a creative approach, encouraging self-expression and physical awareness.

Materials:

• Maracas for each student
• Space for movement

Warm-Up (5 minutes):

1. Circle Gathering: Begin with all students standing in a circle.
2. Follow the Leader: The teacher demonstrates simple hand movements (waving, tapping together)

Introduction:

1. Maracas Magic: Distribute maracas. Teach students how to create rhythms by shaking their maracas softly, loudly, quickly, and slowly.
2. Clap and Count: Without maracas, introduce clapping to different counts

Main Activity: Divide the class into small groups. Each group is tasked with creating a short dance sequence incorporating the following elements:

1. Stomp Symphony: Start the sequence with stomping, experimenting with different speeds and intensities.
2. Joyful Jumps: Incorporate jumps into their dance. They can vary the height and direction of the jumps.
3. Hand Movements: Add expressive hand movements, such as waving, circling, or tapping.
4. Shake it Off: Introduce shaking heads gently as part of the dance, ensuring safety and comfort.
5. Maracas Return: Incorporate the maracas again, creating a rhythm that matches their dance sequence.

Performance:

1. Showcase: Allow each group to perform their dance sequence in front of the class. 
2. Reflection Circle: Gather in a circle. Discuss what they enjoyed about the activity, what they found challenging, and how they felt expressing themselves through dance.