Arts-In-Education Exploratory Enrichment

Creative Movement and Dance Unit

Presented by Jeannie-Marie Dunkel

Description: Creative movement is defined as a way for people to express themselves through dance and music to stimulate the imagination. Children have wonderful imaginations and a thirst for learning. Students will be engaged in exciting, fun activities that will help them develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially as they are introduced to dance. Motor coordination, spatial and rhythmic awareness will be developed through a positive learning experience. Basic dance fundamentals will be presented and built upon throughout the session. A structured unit can be created and modified to meet the specific needs of the school and students. Artistic Process: The teaching artist will begin with warm up exercises (coordination, spatial awareness, range of motion, balance) followed by learning about rhythm (counting and clapping). Emphasis on building control over gross motor skills and memory and introducing children to dance terms through stationary movements, traveling movement sequences and use of props. Children will learn about their bodies, the space around them, and each other. Traditional classroom skills such as following directions, working cooperatively and taking turns will be reinforced. Students participating in a residency of five or more days will work together with the teaching artist to create a dance and could have the opportunity to perform. Anchor Standards: Allow students to foster a love of movement in a non-competitive, success-oriented, and creative experience. Creative Movement activities can be used to enhance all areas of learning and growth. Many additional benefits can come from creative movement such as development, sensory and body awareness, classroom behavior, respect, self-esteem, language, and concentration. Activities are presented in an imaginative and age-appropriate manner.