Blog Post #3: What are the key components of DANCE and where does it fit in the curriculum?

The key components of dance include Dance forms, Elements of dance and the use of dance. Technically the dance we are talking about fits into the curriculum in the category of Creative Arts.

Learning in Dance

Dance forms is the structure to organising the ideas that we express though dance. The three main forms are ABA, rondo and Theme and variation. In all these forms let A equal the same routine e.g. A is a chorus of a song . ABA is A then a different routine or action used them followed by A again. Rondo follows an ABACADAE pattern where A is always the same but B, C, D and E are all different e.g. verses in music. Theme and variation follows a pattern of A A1 A2 A3 this is where A is changed slightly but can still be seen as the same. e.g. same movement type but performed with arms instead of legs.

The elements of dance can be remembered by Be a BEAST in dance. B=Body, E=Energy, A=Action, S=Space and T=Time.

The use of dance can be integrated cross curriculum rather than separating it out and using as a single subject area of the Creative Arts. This can be done by having students perform dance to express and show what they have learnt in other learning areas for example after learning about life cycles in science students can perform a dance about a creatures life cycle. Or after learning about the measurement of time in mathematics students could perform a dance to reflect a clock or other time ideas.

Making in Dance

There is an example of the life cycle here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gbeWvdXVQg&feature=youtu.be

This dance is suited for year 2 students. It does not need to be s complicated dance but simply allows them to reinforce the ideas of a life cycle they have studied. This type of dance would cover the studied subjects content as well as meeting ACADAM001 – Explore, improvise and organise ideas to make dance sequences using the elements of dance and ACADAM002 – Use fundamental movement skills to develop technical skills when practising dance sequences. It also meets the science content descriptor ACSSU030 – Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves.

Responding in Dance

The use of the forms of dance, elements of dance and the integration of dance across the curriculum helps students to develop their skills in expressing their thoughts, feelings and ideas. It also allows them to explore their body as well as the curriculum in a different way to fully develop their understanding.

Students can use dance to express their responses to situations in their life.