The Dance Program at The Earth School is hosted by Arts Connection and The Rod Rodgers Dance Company.
Each week, professional dancer/choreographers hold workshops with children in grades 3 through 5, the program continuing through 20 weeks of term time. At the end of each year, the children present a dance extravaganza in the auditorium for the entire school community, performing special routines that they have choreographed themselves over the previous weeks!
Dance Program Details
The program is led by Kim Grier, a dancer and choreographer from the Rod Rodgers Company, and introduces participating students to the value of dance as part of a healthy lifestyle. The many benefits of the program include the development of:
- physical skills such as control of their bodies, coordination and balance, spatial awareness, strength and flexibility
- interpersonal skills including collaboration and respect for others
- personal skills such as increased stamina and self discipline
- cognitive skills including memorization, observation and recall
- literacy skills through learning the terminology of dance
The program introduces students to a range of dance styles including Modern and Creative Movement, and culturally based styles such as African, Afro-Caribbean and Chinese.
"Stella was so shy with her body movements, would always tell me to stop dancing mummy - until she started the dance program at Earth School, now she can't stop moving at any music sound, it makes me so happy to see such a big change..."
Stella's Mom
The basic terminology of dance is introduced to students at the beginning of the workshops. Physiological ideas are discussed in relation to what happens when we exercise: blood circulation, breathing techniques, and muscle use. Students learn how to integrate individual and group learning processes, and thus think as an ensemble. Spatial awareness and physical control are focused upon, as is the role of imagination in self-expression.
Students then advance toward an understanding of the performing application of movement studies. They learn to become critical thinkers as they move in space. Stamina is developed through specific exercises, and the role of stage directions in choreography as well as sequences in performance, are introduced.
Finally, students begin to learn structured choreographic material toward the culminating showcase performance. Multi-cultural awareness is an important theme. Through expressive theatrical movement, students explore curriculum and social issues that are important to their lives. The positive attitudes required for creative self-expression and performance are emphasized alongside an understanding of the importance of focus and concentration. Students learn about cues and the relationship between musical, spatial and dynamic references. The ability to retain learned information is developed alongside the encouragement to improvise.
Ultimately, the students are encouraged to enjoy dance and movement as a means to self-expression. This joy comes wonderfully to the fore during the end of year event, as does the level of self-esteem gained through participation in the program. The discipline and teamwork necessary for the completion of a successful artistic process provides a crucial template for the development of life skills in general.
The culminating dance event in the school auditorium allows parents and caregivers to share in what their students have learned during the dance residency. This year, the five classes presented musical selections from "The Wiz" with original choreography devised by themselves and Kim Grier. A great time was had by all!
