Dance K-6

Dance involves performing, composing and appreciating through the elements of action, dynamics, time, space, relationships and structure.

In dance, students learn to:

  • use the elements of making, performing and appreciating effectively through sequenced dance activities
  • appreciate the meaning and values that dance offers personally, culturally and as a form of communication.

Move Ease

Through Move Ease teachers will access 5 original compositions by Tracy and Paul Burjan, with accompanying student learning experiences from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3. Students will develop shared knowledge and understandings, skills, values and attitudes in performing, composing and appreciating in dance. Move Ease facilitates student engagement with the elements of dance and the dancing body through fresh approaches and repertoire. Each piece covers a different musical and dance genre with a wide variety of syllabus based teaching and learning experiences. Many of these experiences are supported through videos with teaching experts in dance guiding students through the use of the materials within.

The 5 compositions include:

  1. Celebrations – dance around the world
  2. Cyber dance – dance in popular culture
  3. Dance through time – the role of dance throughout history
  4. Elements of gamelan – an Indonesian inspired dance experience
  5. Movement of life – expressive dance about life’s journeys.

Sample units

Moving me

In moving me students:

  • are introduced to shape, locomotor activity and the use of space
  • experiment with everyday movements, linking these together in a sequence
  • experience being an audience member and describe what they see.

Resource

Moving me (DOCX 79.8 KB)

Splish-splash

In splish-splash students:

  • create dance movements and sequences – both individually and collaboratively – using the stimulus of water.

Resource

Splish-splash (DOCX 60 KB)

Dance detours

In dance detours students

  • develop an understanding of cultural and historical dances
  • perform a familiar dance, which they then manipulate to create an original dance, based on bush dance steps.

Resource

Dance detours (DOCX 65 KB)

Tap ... stom

In tap ... stomp students:

  • compose and perform dances, using rhythm, sound, percussion and everyday objects, often in non-traditional performing spaces.

Tap ... stomp is based on the characteristics of contemporary tap dancing. This unit could also form the basis of a unit to study African, South American or Native North American cultures.

Resource

Tap ... stomp (DOCX 71 KB)

Dance solutions

In dance solutions students:

  • experiment with the elements of space and time
  • explore shape and develop movement by experimenting with size, dimension, pathway and volume
  • develop numeracy skills and an understanding of creating dance using abstract ideas.

Resource

Dance solutions (DOCX 109 KB)

Quick links

The following websites may be useful in the teaching of dance:

Category:

  • Teaching and learning

Business Unit:

  • Educational Standards
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