Wk 9: The Body

This week was our first week of dance. To refresh our memories of using dance in the classroom we discussed how dance is used in learning. The most important thing that I re-gained an understanding of was how children are sensory learners. They are most engaged when they can move their bodies, engage the senses and explore ideas through movement.

However dance not only engages students physically but it can also explore their ability to analyse and artform for meaning, as stated by Ann McCormak dance "not only provides skills but challenges students to participate in dance making, performing and appreciating" (McCormak, 1995, p. 179).    Students are able to use their own bodies to express and idea but also observe the way that others perform and the ways in which they express ideas. This is a crucial component to teaching dance, that it is not only how you can move your own body, but appreciating how other people and other cultures are able to use their bodies to communicate through dance also,

"it can provide a unique communication tool 

which crosses all disciplines, languages, 

religions and ages"
(McCormak, 1995, p. 173)

McCormak, A. (1995). Dance in the Australian primary curriculum - a region case study. European Physical Education Review , 1 (2), 173-185.