Dance

Dance and movement are excellent ways to explore the language of literature. In particular, dance lends itself to:

• exploring the rhythm of poetry
• working through the contrasts in literary text
• exploring themes
• enacting a narrative
• exploring a character’s posture, movement and gesture

Exploring literature through movement requires the commitment of both the teacher and children. Dance, like drama, is work, and it is essential to aim for quality. Constructive critique will help the children to extend the range and the quality of their movement.

As well as large body movements, children need to be challenged to work on finer movements, and to use all parts of their bodies and to use space, direction and levels.

It is important not to rush through movement lessons and to give opportunities to rehearse, perfect, and to perform.

Further examples will be added to this page, please revisit to view the latest information.