dance : cooperation
fair play—positive interactionsIt is important for teachers to create a positive learning environment in the classrooms & physical education environments. In dance, this is especially important because it is not usually a unit that students are always comfortable with. For this reason, it is extremely important for teachers to display and encourage positive attitudes, positive comments, support and encouragement not only from the teacher to the student but from peer to peer!
When this positive learning environment is established, it becomes easier to inspire growth and creativity among your students. |
participationParticipation in the dance unit is very important because if you have a few students who think dancing is "lame" and don't want to participate, this may rub off on your other students and then you will have a whole class that does not want to participate in your super fun dance unit. In order to avoid this, one step would be for you (the teacher) to participate. Instead of just instructing your students with the dance steps, you can fully participate in everything you expect your students to do. This will demonstrate your willingness & openness to learn new things and hopefully this will rub off onto your students.
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One activity you could do that focuses on leadership is a dance game we named Diamond Dance. Split your students up into groups of 4. They begin by all facing the same way, with the leader in the front (for now). The person in the front performs a dance move of their choice and then turns either left, right, or backwards so the person now in the front will then be the new leader. This game goes on and on as they maneuver around the gym in their diamond formation!
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leadershipTo foster participation among your students, another tip could be to assign a role to students who display confidence in their body movement in the dance unit. (Make sure not to assign this role without consenting with that student first). Assigning a leadership role to a few students could help other students feel comfortable in participating. However, keep in mind that this does depend on your students' relationships so it may not be beneficial for your group of students. Also, we suggest not to do this in every lesson because the leader students could get annoyed of having to 'teach' or to be the leader. Also, the other students may feel they aren't good enough and this will lower their confidence even more. The best way would be to have a few activities where a leader could be assigned to help and encourage his/her peers!
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Parker Knight, lorenkerns