“Dance education that is developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive empowers students as they acquire diverse skills and an understanding of physical literacy and aesthetic literacy while meeting provincial curriculum standards and outcomes (PHE Canada Dance Program Advisory Committee, February, 2013)”.
Note: Some cultures do not permit dancing so be sensitive to those children who may not want to participate for various reasons.
There may also be some reticence from some of the shyer students so consider matching them up with students who are less inhibited.
International Dance Day occurs on April 29th every year. This day, which was introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute, recognizes the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre. Noverre was a choreographer who was significant in bringing about important changes in ballet.
Every year, a special international message is authored by well-known dance personalities. To view the international messages, click here.
Since 2005, the Canadian Dance Assembly issues an important message in conjunction with International Dance Day. This year’s message, delivered by Gregory Vuyani MAQOMA, South Africa Dancer, actor, choreographer and dance educator is indeed inspirational. Check it out here: https://www.international-dance-day.org/pdfs/IDD2020_EN_Message_GregoryMAQOMA.pdf
Perhaps the most important part of his message is:
“As we dance with our bodies, tumbling in space and tangling together, we become a force of movement weaving hearts, touching souls and providing healing that is so desperately needed.“
Play some fun and active music and observe what students do.
Ask:
Explain that our bodies love to move. They were made to wiggle and jiggle and jump and spin. Put the music back on and lead students around the room asking them to move to the music. When they are back as their seats, ask:
Encourage students to dance on their way to school, at home, and when walking or playing in their community.
Note: When your students start to droop at their desks, have some upbeat music on standby and get up and dance! You too, teachers!
Discuss responses to the following questions:
Explain that you want students to work alone, with a partner, or in a small group to plan and deliver a short dance routine.
The only rules are:
Select a song that has a simple but good beat and allow students some time to prepare their movements to the music.
Allow students time to practice, perform, and ask:
Close by suggesting: Dance more. Dance every day. Love the dance!
Ask:
Explain that dance is an important way to exercise the body and mind through movement. It promotes creativity and a love of music and movement, and helps to improve memory, communication, and thinking skills. Most importantly, dancing is fun!
Tell students that they are going to work alone, in pairs, or in a small group to prepare and perform a short dance routine. They may choose their own music but if so, it must be cleared by you to make sure that it is appropriate for classroom use.
The only rules are:
Review several different types of dance with students, from hip-hop to tap, ballet, line dancing, Irish or Scottish dancing, etc. Search online for examples to view together.
Remind students that any form of creative movement can be dance. It does not have to fit into a category.
Allow students time to prepare, rehearse, and share. Debrief by asking:
Close by encouraging students to dance more, move their bodies more, and to learn to appreciate the skills involved in many forms of dance.