Highlights of the historical development of structured and creative/free dance experiences for children within the curriculum of early childhood education in the 20th century are sketched. Although some educators dissented with the practice, in the 1920s most dance activities for young children were structured. The following decade was…

This volume introduces an experimental method for teaching creative movement and choreography. The method requires both a framework of conceptual structure, and freedom to explore ideas and imaginative transformation of experience through movement and external form. An opening discussion of creativity explains how dance performance has been…

The Research in Dance Education (RDE) project grew out of a long-term national need to know what researchers in dance and allied fields have studied over 80 years, what they learned, and how existing research impacted teaching and learning. The project set out to answer the following questions: (1) What research exists in dance education?; (2)…

This book explores the moving world, introducing more than 100 movement experiences organized around the themes of rules, recipes, props, poetry and prose, objects and images, and integrated arts. It is intended to help the teacher develop an eye as choreographer. The book includes six chapters. Each chapter identifies a theme, specific learning…

This book provides theoretical knowledge, practical tips, and inspiration to help prepare the next generation of dancers and meet the demands of contemporary dance. It teaches the reader to set strategies and reasonable goals; use rituals to facilitate centering; safely incorporate conditioning principles; understand the interplay between gravity…

This book views gymnastics as both sport and art and provides gymnasts with an introduction to the types of dance training that can enhance their performances. Dance training routines that incorporate several dance styles are presented to help gymnasts acquire polish, prevent injuries, improve their body alignment, express their creativity, and…

Outlines are presented for 30 creative dance lessons for first grade children. Each lesson description includes: (1) a statement of the lesson objective; (2) an overview of how the lesson illuminates a general concept of dancing; (3) musical equipment needed; (4) introductory activities; (5) tasks for skill development; (6) suggestions for the…

Outlines are presented for 30 creative dance lessons for second grade children. Each lesson description includes: (1) a statement of the lesson objective; (2) an overview of how the lesson illuminates a general concept of dancing; (3) musical equipment needed; (4) introductory activities; (5) tasks for skill development; (6) suggestions for the…

Outlines are presented for 30 creative dance lessons for third grade children. Each lesson description includes: (1) a statement of the lesson objective; (2) an overview of how the lesson illuminates a general concept of dancing; (3) musical equipment needed; (4) introductory activities; (5) tasks for skill development; (6) suggestions for the…

Outlines are presented for 30 creative dance lessons for sixth grade children. Each lesson description includes: (1) a statement of the lesson objective; (2) an overview of how the lesson illuminates a general concept of dancing; (3) musical equipment needed; (4) introductory activities; (5) tasks for skill development; (6) suggestions for the…

This book, a revision of a previous publication, "Dance: Creative/Rhythmic Movement Education", continues and expands on the substantive work contained in the initial publication. Building on the essential elements of the body of knowledge articulated in the first book, this guide presents a conceptual framework for dance and gives procedures for…

Laban Movement Analysis is a system that helps dancers recognize and define the variety of elements that make up the movement event. This is not a method of teaching a movement style, but provides a means for creative expression. (DF)

This paper describes an improvisational dance model that analyzes verbs and adverbs in terms of their movement essence and yields a unique group dance using dancers of any age or experience. Essence dance uses word cards to build a dance. Each word (verb or adverb) suggests a movement or use of the body. The teacher begins by charting a piece of…

This volume contains 30 unit suggestions for dance lessons in elementary or secondary education. The volume opens with a preface, a discussion of the value of dance in education and of how learning takes place in dance, and a glossary. Each of the units that follow is arranged in sets of five lessons on a theme. Each lesson has a structure:…

This volume contains 30 unit suggestions for dance lessons in elementary or secondary education. The volume opens with a preface, a discussion of the value of dance in education and of how learning takes place in dance, and a glossary. Each of the units that follow is arranged in sets of five lessons on a theme. Each lesson has a structure:…