CONVERSATIONS:
As a child, I went to ballet, tap dancing and jazz ballet for several years. This type of dance was centered on achieving certain accreditation levels and performances, rather than self expression. As an adult, I went to a contemporary dance workshop with Kaara Tilsami (previously of TasDance) which was revolutionary to me. It changed my previous perception of dance, but I now enjoy attending performances of contemporary dance, rather then participating. Through the Steiner school I have undertaken workshops in Eurythmy, which is a curative art form used throughout Steiner schools. Eurythmy uses gestures and postures to speak through movement - have you heard of it Kirsten? Elise
| Eurythmy Performance |
I was told I was too uncoordinated, clumsy and heavy for ballet when I was a young child but I have always loved dance. My mum was a jazz, rap and disco dance teacher when she was younger and she was very talented. In primary school, favourite part of PE was the school square dance! I took up line dancing in grade 3 as it was a dance style that did not require grace or light footedness. In high school, I followed in my mum's footsteps and took up disco dancing but like you we danced for levels and awards not expression or feeling. Still I always felt that I was expressing emotion when I danced. My best friend did tertiary Contemporary dance so I had a very rounded dance education. I have never heard of Eurythmy though so thanks for the video! Every Tuesday my grade 3's have 'Move and Groove' for the first 15 minutes of the day and they dance to a CD. Apart from that I have seen little dance so far in schools apart from one Prep/1 music class which had the children do a partner dance (with much difficulty!!). Kirsten
Dancing seems to emerge naturally during play, it is later when children become self conscious that it is important to create a supportive environment in which to encourage freedom of expression. I observed Dance in a kindergarten in PE 1. but not in older age groups.
No, I have not seen a lot of dance during Practical Experience, although we did a bit of disco dancing in a kindergarten class. I thought the children in the Dance videos did a wonderful interpretation of various animals - especially the boys. What happens to boys which turns them away from dance? Elise
I have no idea what turns boys away from dance but it is something I see all the time. I have also noticed this in our dance workshop the boys began the lesson and then gradually disappeared! Strangely enough the boys in my grade 4/5 love hip-hop dancing and often bust-a-move in the classroom. Maybe the boys reluctance to dance is related to be able to impress girls? As a side note, I have noticed that the pre-service teachers are shy and reluctant to try activities in the workshops. It seems to be the same few people having a go. Why should you force your students to do something that you wouldn't try yourself?? I find this frustrating!!! My belief is that a teacher is a role model that students would rightly think "if my teacher won't do it neither will I". Kirsten
Yes, I did see a couple of the males leave. I think once again you have to make it relevant (if not cool). Also maybe providing lots of positive male role models. Also presenting movement in different ways, through martial arts, yoga, gymnastics etc as long as they provide provide opportunities for self expression and creativity.
I like the way music provokes and enhances children's expression, such as in the underwater dance activity. Again there is a strong correlation between drama, dance and music. I liked the universal writing technique as it encourgaed movement without being daunting. Elise
Dancing seems to emerge naturally during play, it is later when children become self conscious that it is important to create a supportive environment in which to encourage freedom of expression. I observed Dance in a kindergarten in PE 1. but not in older age groups.
No, I have not seen a lot of dance during Practical Experience, although we did a bit of disco dancing in a kindergarten class. I thought the children in the Dance videos did a wonderful interpretation of various animals - especially the boys. What happens to boys which turns them away from dance? Elise
I have no idea what turns boys away from dance but it is something I see all the time. I have also noticed this in our dance workshop the boys began the lesson and then gradually disappeared! Strangely enough the boys in my grade 4/5 love hip-hop dancing and often bust-a-move in the classroom. Maybe the boys reluctance to dance is related to be able to impress girls? As a side note, I have noticed that the pre-service teachers are shy and reluctant to try activities in the workshops. It seems to be the same few people having a go. Why should you force your students to do something that you wouldn't try yourself?? I find this frustrating!!! My belief is that a teacher is a role model that students would rightly think "if my teacher won't do it neither will I". Kirsten
Yes, I did see a couple of the males leave. I think once again you have to make it relevant (if not cool). Also maybe providing lots of positive male role models. Also presenting movement in different ways, through martial arts, yoga, gymnastics etc as long as they provide provide opportunities for self expression and creativity.
I like the way music provokes and enhances children's expression, such as in the underwater dance activity. Again there is a strong correlation between drama, dance and music. I liked the universal writing technique as it encourgaed movement without being daunting. Elise
RESOURCE TOOLKIT:
Kirsten you may never have seen Eurythmy so here is an example from You Tube. Elise
Eurythmy performance of Beethoven - Pathetique
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upT5it63f-I&feature=fvwrel
Eurythmy performance of Beethoven - Pathetique
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upT5it63f-I&feature=fvwrel
A Lecture on Eurythmy: Rudolf Steiner
http://www.waldorfbooks.com/anthroposophy/eurythmy
I really like this book which gives movement examples related to Gardner's Multiple Intelligences. I always try to work kinaesthetically when teaching at the Steiner school.
http://www.waldorfbooks.com/anthroposophy/eurythmy
I really like this book which gives movement examples related to Gardner's Multiple Intelligences. I always try to work kinaesthetically when teaching at the Steiner school.
Wright, S. (Ed). (2003). Children, meaning-making and the arts. French's Forest, NSW: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Although I have only seem Chapter 1, I think this book would be useful. Cone Purcell, T., Cone, S. (2005) Teaching children dance. (2nd ed). Torrens Park, SA: Human Kinetics.
What a pity there is no AUSDANCE in Tasmania, however on the Victoria website I found professional development opportunities at the following
http://www.ausdance.org.au
Although I have only seem Chapter 1, I think this book would be useful. Cone Purcell, T., Cone, S. (2005) Teaching children dance. (2nd ed). Torrens Park, SA: Human Kinetics.
What a pity there is no AUSDANCE in Tasmania, however on the Victoria website I found professional development opportunities at the following
http://www.ausdance.org.au
- Dance for people with special needs
- Hip hop choreography
- Dance for boys
- Curriculum changes in dance
Go and see some live dance by TasDance, I always find their sets, costumes and dance amazing. Elise
Enroll in a dance PD, there are plenty of courses in Hobart...
Belly-dancing
Ballet, tap, boys dancing
Ghetto dancing and Hip-Hop
Jazz, Swing and Blues
Flamenco
http://flamencoaustralia.org/lessons/dance/flamenco-classes-in-hobart-2010/
Here is a site for Wakakirri a Primary based estedford. It has many resources and tips for teachers it would be wonderful to do this as a school one day
http://www.wakakirri.com/wakakirri-primary/categories/primary-story-dance-live/primary-story-dance-live-teacher-resources-and-forms
http://flamencoaustralia.org/lessons/dance/flamenco-classes-in-hobart-2010/
Here is a site for Wakakirri a Primary based estedford. It has many resources and tips for teachers it would be wonderful to do this as a school one day
http://www.wakakirri.com/wakakirri-primary/categories/primary-story-dance-live/primary-story-dance-live-teacher-resources-and-forms
ENGAGING IN THE MEDIA:
Here are our small group dance compositions from the Dance Workshop, before we put them all together. I like the way Fiona Rielly scaffolded each activity so carefully.
Kirsten's Group
Elise's Group
Traditional dances accompany plays and festivals at the Steiner school. Elise
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| Drama and dance in the play Little Snow White |
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| Traditional dancing at the Harvest Festival |
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| Dancing and singing to Lady Spring |
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| Whole school Winter Spiral |
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