DAN 385-F / Methods of Teaching Dance (k-12) / Spring 2026

  Please, answer the following questions in your own words, using: common sense, previous knowledge, class experience and the content of our blog posts. QUESTIONS  1. Teaching dance in a public school demands for the dance teacher to establish an inclusive learning environment. What are the benefits of the creative dance approach in such setting? 2. A teacher needs to collect enough content to teach 9 months out the year. Why is unit planning an important aspect of creating content? How is the acronym BEST-R a useful tool when planning dance units? 3. Lesson planning is key not only in organizing the content for the day but also in controlling behaviors. In which way lesson planning relates to behavior management? 4. Assessment can be formal or informal. It can also be diagnostic, formative or summative. Explain the meaning of each term within the context of a k-12 school system. 5. In class, you created a flyer in which you provided key information for potential...

 

   1   Sofia Yarosh Final Reflection -Yarosh, Sofia This class taught me a lot about how to actually teach dance, not just perform it. I learned how to plan lessons, break down movements in a simple way, and make sure students of all levels can understand. One big takeaway was how important it is to create a positive and inclusive environment so students feel comfortable participating. I also learned how to manage a class, keep students engaged, and adjust lessons depending on the group. Overall, it showed me that teaching dance takes a lot of patience, organization, and creativity. At first, I felt a little unsure about teach...

  I  Unit: Teaching Theme: Halprin and Other Teachers   Introduction Today's class introduces several dance teachers who have a wealth of experience in the field of dance education. Ana Halprin gives advice to teachers about how to avoid burn outs.  Ricky Hinds explains the importance of including dance in the curriculum. Professor Andre Isaacs uses dance to teach Chemistry to his students at the College of the Holy Cross.   II  Learning Objectives    Understand the different ways dance can be a part of the curriculum Explain the importance of using self-maintenance to avoid burn outs Gain an awareness of the variety of subjects for which dance can be a complement Discuss these ideas with other members of the class    III Main Lesson   1 Mini-lessons (5:54 - 6:39) Question 1 What does Halprin advise to avoid teaching burn out?     Question 2 According to Hinds, how should dance be included in the dance curriculu...

    I  Unit: Teaching Theme: Community Dance   Introduction Today's class introduces community dance to K - 12 students, as a possible source of knowledge.  Based on multiple spiritual practices from various cultures, community dances serve as a community enhancer where chants and steps combine to group people from all walks of life. The documentary shown in the case-study, Dances of Universal Peace, illustrates the possibilities of using dance to teach children how to build a learning community using dance.   II  Learning Objectives    Understand the different possibilities of international community dance  Explain the importance of community dance as a meaningful spiritual experience Gain an awareness of the variety of community dances with a spiritual origin Discuss these ideas with other members of the class    III Main Lesson   1 Mini-lessons     2 Read  Community Performance https://www.google....