DNCE 370

DNCE 370: Creative Dance for Children

Credit Hours: (3) Three hours lecture

Presents theory and methodology for creative dance in elementary education.  Explores the nature of dance as a creative, aesthetic and movement experience which can integrate with other academic subjects.  Provides experience with lesson plans, varied ages, developmental levels and field experience provide pedagogical knowledge and skills.  Applicable to public schools, studios and recreation programs.

 

Students taking this class for graduate credit must:

1. Teach 8 sessions;
2. Complete additional test questions on class exams; and
3. Develop movement activities for a selected academic discipline within the school curriculum for a particular grade level.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

1. Orientation to dance in elementary education

        a. The scope of dance in elementary education

        b. The need of children to dance

        c. Understanding the dance program

2. Experiences in dance movement

        a. Presenting movement experience

        b. Exploration through movement manipulation

        c. Exploration through imagery

3. Skills of dance movement

        a. Basic movements of locomotion

        b. Combining basic locomotor movements into dance steps

        c. Non-locomotor movements

4. The skills of rhythm

        a. Response to pulse beats

        b. Response to accents

        c. Response to rhythmic patterns

        d. Response to musical phrasing

5. Composing dances

        a. Approach from imagery and idea

        b. Approach from songs

        c. Approach from words

        d. Approach from music

        e. Approach from movement

6. Learning dances

        a. Dancing with others

        b. Selecting dances

        c. Teaching others

7. Aids to teaching dance

        a. Performance standards for certain dance skills

        b. Problems and performance

        c. Accompaniment

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Course material may be presented through lectures; class and group discussions, videos, films, slides and other appropriate devices.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At the conclusion of the course the student should:

1. Develop an understanding of the importance of dance in the total development of children.
2. Develop skills and techniques in aiding children to move creatively and rhythmically.
3. Be aware of the elements comprising a comprehensive dance experience for children.

 

Assessment Measures

Students comprehension of material may be measured by objective exams, essay exams, papers, presentations/projects, class discussion, class attendance, among other appropriate means.

 

Other Course Information

Emphasis on various aspects of the course may vary with the instructor. The subject matter lends itself to a variety of ways of presenting the material.

 

Review and Approval

Date Action Reviewed By

October 1, 1991 Revision Margaret Devaney, Chair

March 24, 1998 Review Margaret Devaney, Chair

September 12, 2001 Review Margaret Devaney, Chair

February 14, 2003 Review Margaret Devaney, Chair