Dance and Dragonflies

For many years, I have wondered how it was possible to have K-12 Virtual Physical Education but not Dance.  I have many friends who teach virtually in various subjects and embrace the challenges and learning curves that come with this platform of teaching.  In one quick minute, I, as many educators in the world have been, was rocketed into the world of virtual teaching in the arts discipline of Dance.

While I miss my students and my colleagues and physically seeing their faces each day, I am learning so much through this process.  I am fortunate that my district has a platform for virtual learning in Google Classroom although I know there are many more platforms out there for people to use (many are also free).  Over the last two weeks I have worked hard to consider new and innovative ways to continue 21st century learning skills in Dance while teaching all of my material over Google Classroom.

Last week I was able to read an article on Michio Ito and have my students record themselves creating their own choreography based in Michio Ito’s style using the dance elements and basic principles of design in dance.  This week I am using CLI Studios courses (they are currently offering free trials for 30 days-there are hundreds of technique, yoga, educational, and conditioning classes in this online platform)-clistudios-to teach my students technique while giving my students an opportunity to self-assess using Flipgrid videos.   In the state in which I live, we are currently going to be teaching online until at least April 30th; therfore, I am working each day to train myself in various virtual platforms and learn a new tool each day to add to my dance teacher toolkit.  National Dance Education Organization is currently offering webinars for members and non-members for free.  Check out their site at ndeo.org

My next goal is to use the materials created by Dance Curriculum Designs to have a virtual choreography class with my students.  While this is certainly a very uncertain time in our world history, I am striving each day to be innovative and offer my students creative ways to learn dance.  I feel strongly that when we are able to greet our students and colleagues face to face again that we will all be stronger educators and better prepared to meet the 21st century needs of our students.  #keepdancing

Typically I write about the joys of teaching educational dance. Today I am reflecting on the wonderful moments of the holidays. I am thankful for so much but especially this time of year. Blessings to those out there today who celebrate Christmas with me.

If you are not using the principles of design in your dance classroom, I would encourage you to think about using these as a starting point for teaching best practices in choreography.  Friends, I have to tell you that after 14 years of teaching I am just discovering the importance of talking about these design principles every week.  I began my school year introducing these design principles to my students.  This week I am teaching folk dance and introduced the Hukilau from Hawaii.  As I shared a video of this dance with my students, one of my students said that he recognized the principle of design called repetition in the dance.  What is amazing is that he noticed that without my even asking!  I am so excited about this transforming year in my teaching career!  I hope that I can inspire at least one other teacher to think about ways to use these concepts each and every day!  It is so important to never stop learning as a teacher and to grow your teaching style each year!

I am excited to begin introducing artists as the basis for teaching all artistic processes in Dance (create, performing, connecting, and responding).  I am beginning to create documents to share artists with students.  These documents will inform students of the artist’s background and will also give students a visual connection to the artist/artist’s company.

I am excited to see how this teaching style will enhance and transform my classroom this year!  https://www.smore.com/65vpq-david-parsons

I attended Cirque du Soleil’s latest traveling production last night entitled Crystal. Although the stage floor is ice for this show, the dancing throughout this show is inspirational! I am thinking that I will add this master work to my Dance units for next year. I love that I can cover technique, creating, responding, and culture/history simply by starting my units with a master work and teaching all other aspects of Dance in tandem with one another.

If you have never seen a Cirque du Soleil performance check one out soon! The “dancinspiration” is incredible and emphasizes many aspects of Dance from basic dance elements to intricate movement for the advanced dancer!

Dance in education is becoming more present in the schools and I love the direction in which it is moving. I currently teach in a dance program at the elementary level that is artistically gifted and talented. What I love about this model is that I can teach Dance to my students in a classroom setting; however, this model also gives me opportunities to work with all students in their classrooms to teach dance skills that they can also utilize in their academic subjects. Dance educators and specialists are emerging as leaders in the arts as we lead students to develop 21st century skills that will help them not only now but as they enter the world as adults.

Have you ever thought about the vast number of ways there are to say good morning or hello? Each language has their own way of saying these words and communicating and in Dance we have our own language to “speak” as well. In many cultures, hello is a simple gesture such as a wave or a curved motion of the body in some way or form. It is incredible how important the body is in communication with others. As a Dance teacher, I like to think of my role as facilitator to encourage transformation in the body through communication.

As a Dance teacher, I always hope to inspire students to think outside of the box and beyond their basic level thinking of what Dance is. In Dance we use history and culture to teach dance performance skills while encouraging students to create their own movement and respond to movement with a critical eye. This holistic manner of teaching is giving me the opportunity to reinforce 21st century learning and students more substantial information that they can take into other classrooms in the school as well.

Until next time…for now, I’m enjoying my summer and enjoying the transformations all around me!

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton