“The body is the instrument and the medium for expression”
Dr Katrina Rank, Manager of Education and Training – Ausdance Victoria
Through dance, students get to explore their ideas though movement, both individually and collaboratively, and develop knowledge, understanding and skills to communicate ideas. “Learning in dance involves students exploring elements, skills and processes through the integrated practices of choreography, performance and appreciation (ACARA, 2013).
During our tutorial we explored the Elements of Dance and how they create and communicate meaning.
Space: where the body moves, including level, dimension, direction, shape, active space, positive space, negative space, planes, pathways, general space, personal space and performance space
Time: when dance occurs (how long it takes), including metre, tempo, momentum, accent, duration, phrasing, rhythmic patterns, stillness and beat
Dynamics: how dance is performed, including weight, force, energy and movement qualities
Relationships: associations or connections occurring when the body dances
During the tutorial we explored both the Elements of Dance through creative movement using the Performance Skills of Dance as stimulus. The focus during the lesson was on creating and experimenting with different movements, rather than the end dance performance itself. By participating in various activities and focusing on developing and understanding the elements of dance, it allowed us to gain a greater understanding of the elements of dance, and how we could develop and apply these in our own teaching and learning experiences.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority provides teachers with detailed information about learning in dance: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/thearts/learning-in-dance
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (2014). Elements of dance. Retrieved May 11, 2014, from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Glossary?a=TheArts&t=elements%20of%20dance
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (2013). The arts: learning in dance. Retrieved May 11, 2014, from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/thearts/learning-in-dance