2. Dance Dance Education A Guide for Teachers to Bring Dance into Physical Education Nicole Cavallo

3. AAHPER….. D? Dance commonly absent from Physical Education Why ? –Teachers lack a dance background –Schools do not enforce dance curriculum –Teachers not educated in health benefits

4. What’s in it for the Students? Promotes Cooperative Learning Enhances Student Creativity Fulfills Required State Goals and Standards Expands Opportunities for Students Enhances Cognitive Development Promotes Student Health

5. It Takes Two to Tango Cooperative Learning in Dance Education Relies upon group work to achieve goals Builds social skills Ensures participation of every student Students learn to compromise Students learn accountability

6. Creativity is more important than knowledge ~ Albert Einstein Dancing is the poetry of the foot enhances the “creative capacities” -risk-taking and expressive freedom

7. Fulfills State Standards Requires proper development of motor skills –Dance develops awareness of : Space Direction Time Level Force

8. Break Dance Not Hearts

9. An Opportunity for Discovery Dance provides students with the opportunity to… Try something new Discover hidden talents Develop self confidence Surprise themselves

10. Give Their Brains a Workout Dance Enhances Cognitive Development Increases blood, oxygen flow to brain Develops visual-spatial awareness –Important in letter recognition, mathematical understanding. Fun and Engaging

11. Give Their Brains a Workout, cont. Students remember…. 20% of what they hear 30% of what they see 90% of what they see, hear, say and DO!

12. For the Health of It! Dance in Physical Education… Strengthens bones and muscles Tones entire body Improves posture and balance Increases stamina and flexibility

13. Dance in Physical Education… Reduces stress and tension Prevents obesity Increases energy levels For the Health of It!, cont.

14. Putting the “D” back into AAHPERD Ideas to Run With Dance Formations Rhythmic Activities Cues Fresh Ideas DDR (Dance Dance Revolution)

15. Key: Man Woman Direction

16. Rhythmic Equipment

17. Rhythmic Activities Students will be aware of effect of sound on music style Consistency of rhythm and time Teacher can help by Clapping out the beat Encouraging complementary rhythms

18. Cue & A Cues keep students ready for dance steps Anticipatory –ex: “Ready….Walk” Rhythmic-ex: “1,2,3,4” Directional- ex: “Right, Left” Step pattern-ex: “Slide, Close” Combination-ex: any above examples

19. DDR Dance Dance Revolution Currently used in several hundred schools Reaches wide range of students Process information and do moves Less competitive than traditional sports No skill required for a good workout

20. Wrapping it Up Adding Dance to curriculum Generates interest of less athletic students Battles childhood obesity Promotes creativity Less competitive activity Makes Phys Ed more fun! See?

21. References Putnam, Mary (2008). Handbook for Rhythmic Activities and Forms. Rowan University. Schiesel, Seth. “P.E. Classes Turn to Video Game That Works Legs.” The New York Times. 10/20/2009.