Dance Dance Education

A Guide for Teachers to Bring Dance into Physical

Education

Nicole Cavallo

AAHPER….. D?

Dance • commonly absent from Physical

Education• Why ?

– Teachers lack a dance background– Schools do not enforce dance curriculum– Teachers not educated in health benefits

What’s in it for the Students?

• Promotes Cooperative Learning• Enhances Student Creativity• Fulfills Required State Goals and

Standards• Expands Opportunities for Students• Enhances Cognitive Development• Promotes Student Health

It Takes Two to Tango

Cooperative Learning in Dance Education

• Relies upon group work to achieve goals

• Builds social skills• Ensures participation of every student• Students learn to compromise• Students learn accountability

Creativity is more important than knowledge

~ Albert Einstein

Dancing is the poetry of the foot

enhances the “creative capacities”

-risk-taking and expressive freedom

Fulfills State Standards

• Requires proper development of motor skills– Dance develops awareness of :

• Space• Direction• Time• Level• Force

Break

Dance

Not

Hearts

An Opportunity for Discovery

Dance provides students with the opportunity to…

• Try something new• Discover hidden talents• Develop self confidence• Surprise themselves

Give Their Brains a Workout

Dance Enhances Cognitive Development

• Increases blood, oxygen flow to brain

• Develops visual-spatial awareness– Important in letter recognition,

mathematical understanding.

• Fun and Engaging

Give Their Brains a Workout, cont.

Students remember….

• 20% of what they hear

• 30% of what they see

• 90% of what they see, hear, say and DO!

For the Health of It!

Dance in Physical Education…• Strengthens bones and muscles • Tones entire body • Improves posture and balance• Increases stamina and flexibility

Dance in Physical Education…• Reduces stress and tension

• Prevents obesity• Increases energy levels

For the Health of It!, cont.

Putting the “D” back into AAHPERD

Ideas to Run With• Dance Formations• Rhythmic Activities • CuesFresh Ideas• DDR (Dance Dance Revolution)

Key:Man

WomanDirection

Rhythmic Equipment

Rhythmic Activities

Students will be aware of• effect of sound on music style• Consistency of rhythm and timeTeacher can help by• Clapping out the beat• Encouraging complementary rhythms

Cue & A

Cues keep students ready for dance steps

• Anticipatory –ex: “Ready….Walk”• Rhythmic-ex: “1,2,3,4” • Directional- ex: “Right, Left”• Step pattern-ex: “Slide, Close”• Combination-ex: any above

examples

DDR

Dance Dance Revolution• Currently used in several hundred

schools • Reaches wide range of students• Process information and do moves• Less competitive than traditional

sports• No skill required for a good workout

Wrapping it Up

Adding Dance to curriculum• Generates interest of less athletic

students• Battles childhood obesity• Promotes creativity• Less competitive activity• Makes Phys Ed more fun!

See?

References

• Putnam, Mary (2008). Handbook for Rhythmic Activities and Forms. Rowan University.

• Schiesel, Seth. “P.E. Classes Turn to Video Game That Works Legs.” The New York Times. 10/20/2009.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/health/30exer.html>