Reflection 3 Dance!

I think children's dance specialists might focus more on creative dance for education because most studio or social dance follows specific movements that must be learned over a long period of time. In the classroom we might not have enough time to devote to learning these skills. These types of dance might not appeal to boys or even some girls. Studio or social dance would be harder to integrate into other lessons and might not allow for as much creativity. I don't remember for much dance in my elementary school except for children who had been taught studio dance performing.
I really liked the dances we learned last week-the flocking, machines, the harvest dance, and the nature dance. I would like to use dances like these in the classroom. I think they are (relatively) quickly learned and allow the children to express their creativity and emotions. I would like to use them within the curriculum like you said by teaching them about who performed the harvest dance and why. My son's 5th grade classes did an impressive veteran's day program in which they sang and danced wearing simple costumes from different time periods from various wars. It was a memorable learning experience for the students and parents.
I enjoy when schools perform a yearly dance program but I would like to use dance more often and more fully integrated with what is being learned. I was impressed that I wouldn't have to demonstrate much dance to get students started and let them use their imaginations. I would also love to do dances such as the skeleton dance or demonstrating fractions through dance. I would also like to teach my students how to do a dance and then take them on a field trip to see professionals perform. I think learning to do a dance and then see it performed would give them a richer experience. I'm excited to use dance in the classroom!