Unfortunately I was on holiday during Week 9 and 10 so i have missed blog posts for these two weeks. I was also sick during Week 12 so there are not any blogs for that week either.

During the drama workshop, we were contenting to watch groups present their lessons. My group had already presented while I was on holiday so I participated in other groups activities.

This input was pretty interesting as it allowed us to watch our peers teaching methods and the ways in which things such as body language and voice control can have such an impact on the engagement of the lesson. It also gave us the chance to be critical with each other in order to determine what parts of the activity could be changed for the lesson to be responded to in the most effective way possible.

In dance we were focusing on creating a dance to perform and video in next week’s workshop.

Cone (2009) p.81 made a statement that I feel really relates to the learning of this week’s dance workshop :

“One of the most powerful experiences dance educators can offer children is the opportunity to create a dance that reflects their ideas. Empowering children to create dances about what is personally meaningful presents them with the responsibility and commitment to bring their vision alive.”

By creating our own dance by scratch as separate groups and coming together as a full class unit I found to be a really empowering experience. If children get the chance to feel this with the facilitation and carrying out of dance lessons where they can express what is meaningful to them would be a great opportunity. This would also allow them to really feel that their individuality is being respected and nurtured.

The difference between the start of the module and now are immense. I feel that I have really improved my confidence and become more comfortable when inputting every area of the integrated arts topic. I have also developed a new found appreciation for the arts and how powerful and encouraging they can be for children. I hope that I can contribute to the raising of children’s self-esteem and self-expression through the integrated arts subjects that we have been studying for the past semester.

References: Cone, T (2009). Following Their Lead: Supporting Children’s Ideas for Creating Dances. Journal of Dance Education Vol 9(3) p.81