This morning I read a great article about teaching gifted students (check out the article at http://www.ronit.baras.com/ and it inspired me to write something about teaching through movement.
For many, dance is a creative art that is limited to those who who have a particular interest in dancing/performing. But this is such a limiting interpretation of the usefulness of the art. Not only is it a great form of self expression, it is also something that is wonderful to incorpoate into teaching which will appeal to kinsesthetic and visual learners alike.
In a year 8 Japanese class, we learnt a famoous Japanese song that had a simple dance to go with it. There's no question about it, the new vocabulary was more easily acquired when accompanied with movement.
But it wasn't just the quick learning that took place that was so wonderful about it; it was the enjoyment that the students had from the lesson that really convinced me to use dance more often. They laughed at themselves and at each other and me while we danced and asked if they could be videod! I then had some very keen students who wanted to have a dance off!
It really is a great way for students to express themselves. No technical knowledge is required - just a willingness to move and a good sense of humour!
For many, dance is a creative art that is limited to those who who have a particular interest in dancing/performing. But this is such a limiting interpretation of the usefulness of the art. Not only is it a great form of self expression, it is also something that is wonderful to incorpoate into teaching which will appeal to kinsesthetic and visual learners alike.
In a year 8 Japanese class, we learnt a famoous Japanese song that had a simple dance to go with it. There's no question about it, the new vocabulary was more easily acquired when accompanied with movement.
But it wasn't just the quick learning that took place that was so wonderful about it; it was the enjoyment that the students had from the lesson that really convinced me to use dance more often. They laughed at themselves and at each other and me while we danced and asked if they could be videod! I then had some very keen students who wanted to have a dance off!
It really is a great way for students to express themselves. No technical knowledge is required - just a willingness to move and a good sense of humour!
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