I, like many others perceived dance as techniques learned in classes such as ballet, jazz, and tap. I'm not a very coordinated person and I was happy to see that it didn't matter what the movements are in creative dance. It was up to my own imagination and creativity how my body moved. It made it a little less embarrassing to participate.
I am continually amazed at how the arts can be integrated into the curriculum. Not only can dance be used as a tool in grabbing a student's attention and interest, but it also can be used to help them remember what has been taught, and help them with higher order thinking. I like how the text says, "Dance is the art that puts the curriculum in motion." I felt it did just that as we performed the water cycle last week. I am really amazed that students can even learn or review math through dance.
I think one of the most interesting things that I learned last week is that possibly children who are diagnosed with ADHD might just need to get up and move. The book says that dance triggers the brain to produce catecholamine which is an alertness hormone. I think it is great that we learn about helping our students be able to focus in class. In Psychology we do brain busters that serve the same purpose. After activities such as these, kids will be able to concentrate more and this will help in moving information from sensory memory- to working memory- to long-term memory.
I really like the idea of implementing creative arts, including creative movement into the curriculum. This will take a little extra planning, but it will be worth it in the long run. My students are worth the effort. They will be able to learn better, feel good about themselves, and be able to use their creativity, all while having a good time.
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