Exploring Dance and Literacy: Using One Discipline to Enhance Another Presentation by Gianna Limone

Why Arts AND Literacy? State mandates arts educators to incorporate literacy into the teaching of their art form Creative work in the arts encourages confidence and pride in the process and product of the work The arts provide a springboard for ideas and creativity in literacy… the reverse is also true Literacy enables students to further explore their art form in a variety of ways. Both disciplines work together to give students a creative voice and safe space for expression

Value of Dance in Schools Engages students physically Encourages social and cultural growth and awareness Gives students the opportunity to develop a creative voice and collaborate with other students.

Literacy in the Dance Classroom A few examples… Opportunities for self-reflection Mapping and organizing ideas for choreography Viewing, describing, and writing about dance Using poetry to inspire movement Language of Dance symbols to describe or initiate movement

Choreographer’s Workshop Collecting ideas: Class collects ideas for a specific sort of dance –Where to artists get their ideas for a dance Seed idea : Small groups/individuals focus on making a specific dance (ie: water dance) –What do we want to teach others about our topic through dance? Planning –Given our choreographic intent, how might we structure the dance? An example of a student-centered literacy & dance activity Concept by Barbara Bashaw

Choreographer’s Workshop cont. Drafting : Make the dance by putting the plan into action Revision : Show the first version of the dance to the class or a small group. –What is working and what needs to be fixed? –Establish a rubric –Redraft dance Recording : Keep a record of the dance-making process –Maps, drawings, lists, words, motif notation, notes, photos, video, etc. Sharing : Invite a population outside of your artist group to share the dance with

Choreographer’s Workshop cont. Some Benefits: Students create their own dances & thus develop their artistic voice Organize and document the process of creating dance Collaborate with others Reflect on their contributions to group Reinforce skills learned in the writing process Use constructive feedback and dialoging