Dance

Exploring Dance: Elements of Dance - Space and Body

Explore the dance element of space and body by allowing children to begin with completing an activity circuit inside the classroom (Bullard, 2014, p. 339). Use the wooden horses from the activity circuit to gallop over to the main carpet area and ask children to find their own personal space (Ramsey, 2013, p. 39). Begin warming up exercises before moving onto stretching exercises while listening to the musical score of Jessica's Theme (Pirateie, 2007) (Landy, 1999, p. 5; Lorenzo-Lasa, Ideishi & Ideishi, 2007) .

Practicing Dance: Space and Body – Jack and Jill (Kane & Walmsley, 2011a)

Using the Classic Nursery Rhymes (Australian Broadcasting Corporation [ABC] Music, 2011) compact disc (CD), sing a variety of nursery rhymes as a whole group. Encourage children to move to the nursery rhymes with corresponding actions to each rhyme. Incorporate rhymes that explore fine and gross motor movements.

Ask children to stand and dramatise the movement of Jack and Jill (Kane & Walmsley, 2011a) pretending that Jack and Jill are carrying very heavy buckets up a hill. Continue selecting a variety of creative movement scenarios where children can practice using their bodies in various positions and at various speeds and while making use of space (Ramsey, 2013, p. 48). Ask for volunteers during the experience to model creative movements to the group. Finish the experience by instructing children to find their own personal space again imagining they are inside their personal bubble as they stretch out their arms and sit down (Ramsey, 2013, p. 39).

Responding/Reflecting

Ask the children to reflect upon the experience by describing what they liked best by discussing “two stars and a wish” (DETWA, 2007b, p. 2). Ensure correct understandings of body and space in dance are understood. Ask children to draw a picture of themselves moving within the experience showing their use of body and space during the experience.