K - 2 Dance Diaries

Using Stories to Teach Dance

Children in K - 2 are just beginning to explore storytelling through books, and illustrations play an important role in them. Quality literature will form a strong basis for your child’s learning in Dance this term and I invite you to build on this at home.

I got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison describes impromptu dances
using the rhythm around you. Although this is a relatively simple story,
it has bright illustrations and is a good starting point for getting
your child to observe the rhythms in their surroundings. It is a great activity
for getting children to really listen.  It also acknowledges children’s imagined
world by getting children to ‘hear’ the rhythm with their eyes. The book
explores the dance elements, primarily through the Rhythms and
Tempo, but also through the use of the Body and Space. 
There are learning opportunities about shape, level, and size that
are simple and clear.  

How to use it?

• Create a dance that uses the body parts and the rhythms mentioned. You could begin by doing a ‘call and response’, changing the rhythms made by different body parts and having your child copy like an echo.
  
• Go for a walk and listen for rhythms and then create a dance using the ones your child hears. 

Further suggested books for dance activities at home:

• The Box of Delights by John Masefield
• The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton
• Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems 

(source: https://danceteachingideas.com/books-that-connect-with-the-dance-elements/)

Happy reading and dancing!

Dancers of the Week:

Stay tuned for next week’s ‘K - 2 Dance Diaries’ article.  

Nicola Jackson
Kinder to Year 2 RFF Teacher