Workshop 1 Making Ideas Dance

Tutorial 1

Lesson Outline

Welcome!!

-outline of the unit

-history of dance

-tribal and bush-dancing

-hip-hop (originated from the USA & Africa)

Activity 1- Why are you doing this unit?

Everyone was asked to write down why they chose this subject onto a piece of paper and drop into a pile in the centre of the room. Jacqui then asked a selected few to jump up and read a few of them. It was interesting to see the different reasons that brought us all together in this subject. Coming from a dance background I was excited to hear that others were like me.

We then continued the workshop with a discussion led by Jacqui about:

Macro- who, how, why and what (perspective-the bigger picture) and;

Micro-intimate details (space, time and energy)

We explored Positive and Negative Space,

learnt about Extend, Mirror and Mould and;

And Jacqui stressed the importance of speaking the language of movement, usually the appropriate vocabulary when expressing through movement and dance.

Because I was terribly sick with a cold, I was unable to make it through the whole lesson but created a lesson plan instead which has been attached.

Applying it to a mainstream classroom & Links to VELS

Different Levels

While I missed the crucial or 'dance' part of lesson, I feel it is still important to reflect on what I had learnt today in regard to the language and concepts explored and how I would implement this into my own classroom. When teaching early years students I feel that the language used should be changed to suit their age. I feel that students will understand 'mirroring' and 'extending' movements but this will have to be taught and practiced over a number of lessons. The stronger or older the students are the further you can take them. Throughout these blogs, I will apply to what we have learnt to the different VELS Levels, while explaining how I will apply these lessons to my own classroom. 

Links to me…

When I became aware that this subject was available this trimester, I was beyond excited. After moving down to Melbourne, I had forgotten how much I love dancing. When I lived in Queensland, dance was all I knew for most of my high school life. I worked as a dance teacher for 3 years alongside my two best friends and was so grateful for the wonderful, fulfilling feeling dance brought to my life. The school followed the Southern Federation of Dance syllabus and also did hip-hop exams each year. Students competed in eisteddfods and other talent quests and competitions and were involved in the end of year concert and other fundraisers and events. I truly miss the students and the freedom to use the dance space whenever I want to express my feelings and work through my thoughts, transforming them into choreography.

After the class, I was inspired. Excited to get back into it and although I was very sick, I was super pumped to do it all again the following week (hoping I would be well again). I am looking forward to this unit.

Jacqui Dressens (2012) Dance Workshop-Making Ideas Dance, ECL410 Primary Arts Education, Deakin University, Burwood.