Time is one of the Elements of Dance. It is an essential part of choreographing and performing dance. It helps us to stay together when we dance in unison, identify the beat and the rhythm of how we move and
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Using dance as an integral part of the primary/elementary curriculum has met with some resistance from teachers over the years. Fear around teaching the art form correctly can stop generalist teachers from even ‘dipping their toes in the water’. However,
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Starting the year talking about this wonderful dance project, led by Tanya Voges is real treat for me. It integrates so many of my personal and education interests, art, dance, and archaeology. The workshop she has created is adaptable for many
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Mia Hollingworth, an Australian teacher and performance artist and guest writer for DTI, gives teachers some simple ideas for combining visual arts with dance. Use these lesson ideas as icebreakers or as a way to show children the connections between
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Does dance improve reading and build on an enthusiasm for reading? This does seem like a strange connection but many of the skills of dance and reading are similar. There are many linguistic connections to dance. The creative processes for
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Our DTI guest writer, Mia Hollingworth, makes choreographic connections between Mathematics and the work of choreographer Merce Cunningham. These approachable and engaging activities are appropriate for a range of Primary aged dance classes.
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Often when we think about Dance and Mathematics with think about geometry. The shapes and angles made when using the body can be useful for teaching about mathematics. However, dance and music are also based on numbers and patterns. Using
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Using literature to support dance learning is one of the most common ways to plan a dance lesson in Primary school. Picture books, graphic novels, chapter books and comics can be an effective stimulus for children to learn about the
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Dance in Primary school encourages flexibility in thinking, creativity, and perseverance. These are all necessary for building skills for mathematics. There is a history of Mathematics and Arts as far back as the ancient Greeks. Along with the Egyptians, they
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The much-loved children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, is celebrated each year on the 20th March around the world. It is held on this day to celebrate the beginning of Spring in the northern hemisphere. This is
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