Get In the “Swing” of Things…Teach Dance!

Get In the “Swing” of Things…Teach Dance! Kate Cox Corte Madera School kcox@pvsd.net

History of Dance at CMS • Why and how we started our dance program • Professional development

Session Objectives • Participants will leave with the knowledge, skills and confidence to teach swing dance when they return to school. • Participants will learn by doing. • Have fun!!!

Standards Addressed • Meets standards in Physical Education, Dance and Performing Arts • Lifelong fitness and healthy living • Enjoyment • Self-expression • Social interaction • Challenge • Personal and social behavior and responsibility • Choreographic process • Rhythm

Who can teach dance? • EVERYONE!!! • Teachers with very little dance experience to professional dancers can have effective dance programs • Models risk taking • Your enthusiasm and energy is contagious amongst your students

Essential components for the 1st day of dance • Clear expectations • High expectations and standards for ALL • Everyone dances • Know the dance • Demonstrate finished product • Captures, motivates and inspires student learning • Identify potential pitfalls (problem students)

Pitfalls/Areas of Concern • Communication • Verbal • Non-verbal • Sweatshirts • Body language (ex. rolled eyes)

Teaching Progression • Progression • Step 1 • Step 1 + music • Step 2 • Step 2 + music • Step 1 & 2 + music • Etc.

Stages of Motor Learning • Verbal Cognitive Stage • Say it, Do it • Cues are very helpful when first learning a dance/skill • Visual learners appreciate having cues on the wall for reference

Teaching Cues • One word or syllable per step • Starting cue for Swing • Rock step, ready, go

Choosing and rotating partners • Everyone participates • Unequal numbers of men and women • Solo dancers • Rotate often to vary partners and include solo dancers • Stand in dance position in specified area

Teaching Progression Cont. • Routine format • Helps build confidence and rhythm • Reduces anxiety • Takes pressure off leader • Teacher still provides instruction in how to lead and follow for each move • Freestyle • Once students master routine, then allow them to choose to dance freestyle

Program promotion • Get kids on board • Invite administrators, teachers and community members to observe • Culminating activity • Lunchtime Dance • Board presentation with student demonstration

Swing Steps and Cues • Basic • Rock step, side, side • Fly-by • Rock step, fly, by • Single under • Rock step, fly, by

Swing Steps and Cues (cont.) • Catch her • Rock step, catch, her • Push her • Rock step, push, her

Swing Steps and Cues (cont.) • He Goes • Rock step, he goes • She Goes • Rock step, she goes • London bridge • Rock step, London bridge

Swing Steps and Cues (cont.) • Pretzel • Rock step, Pret-zel • Rock step, belt buckle • Rock step, single under

Music • The Brian Setzer Orchestra • Jump Jive an’ Wail • Big Bad Voodoo Daddy • Used for jump swing • Go Daddy O

Thanks for Coming! • Questions/Comments? • Kate Cox • kcox@pvsd.net

Get In the “Swing” of Things…Teach Dance!