DANCE STUDIES Methodology Session 4 …

How to teach something Link to planning and time allocation Depends on the topic – different requirements Preparation: Think about the role of the textbook and how to make it interactive in lessons  Learner should do something  Teacher should do something Engaged learning should happen Reinforce, Practise …

How? Things to consider:  Topic - the way it will be best presented Known to unknown / Concrete to abstract Background / context / prior knowledge of learners Discover and explore Discussions and interactive / shared group work Linking the theory to the practical The best way to learn is see, hear, do  Master the content/skills development Talking about topics / discussions to develop confidence Writing about topics / own opinions / thinking to understand …

Teaching dance technique Guide and supervise the practical dance classes at all times Learners need to warm up before every practical dance class and gradually develop a warm-up and body conditioning routine that is repeated in each class to build fitness and body memory Expose learners to a wide range of music genres and use various tempos to develop their listening skills and musicality - selection of good music is an important aspect of any class Teach dance movements and steps slowly (scaffolding the exercise to ensure an understanding of best practice) Sometimes teach a dance combination quickly to challenge learners to watch and listen well and to learn to pick up combinations easily Class technique can be used in improvisation exercises to develop and expand movement vocabulary The pace of the class is crucial and should involve standing, moving and dance combination exercises – learners are there to dance!! …

Get them moving Teach steps and combinations in the centre and then moving across the space Ensure that learners have an opportunity to perform dance combinations in each class. Start teaching a simple combination and keep adding to it each week until the learners can perform a whole dance Ensure that learners have open classes so that they learn to pick up unseen combinations quickly and easily …

Teaching improvisation Improvisations should be structured with clear parameters. Never say “do anything you like”/”just dance to the music” There should always be a specific aspect of dance elements you are developing e.g. time, force, space, levels etc. Learners must be guided to move with spontaneity, daring and confidence - scaffolding Improvisations should be developed into compositions so that they have meaning Encourage creativity and innovation – dare to be different Improvisation can be included in any aspect of your teaching …

Teaching choreography This is a skill that must be taught by the teacher Choreographing your own work is completely different compared to actually teaching this skill to inexperienced learners Do not tell learners to do whatever they want and to make up their own choreography alone Choreography is not about putting known steps together in a combination, it is about making meaning and self expression through movement From grade 10 to 12 teacher guidance and advice is needed In grade 10 specific parameters should be given to build confidence and exploration This should be constantly developed through improvisation and viewing of other works to allow the learners to gain experience – most learners have never been exposed to serious dance works or seen live performances Technology in the form of thee Internet can really help learners explore and discover new ideas – YouTube, images of dance works as well as playing a wide range of works to the learners – not only their set works Get parents involved in their child's achievements

Teaching dance theory The theoretical components of each topic can be done in any logical order Encourage learners to read and research dance history and theories – provide resources Expose learners to live and video performances to teach them how to look at dance critically Link Dance Literacy to choreography Give learners opportunities to write about dance in order to develop their writing skills and to use dance terminology Apply anatomy into the practical dance class …

Integrating theory and practice This aspect requires careful planning and thought It is very easy to teach theory reading from a text book The more learners sit, the quicker they switch off Get learners involved both mentally and physically in the topic presented – most sections allow for this Try wherever possible to integrate theory with either the practical or improvisation classes you present e.g. use anatomical terms in the practical classes Use pictures, Internet games, drawings, labelling, power point presentations and interactive methods to teach theory Develop thinking dancers who are excited about the subject …