This week I received an introduction to teaching dance and what it means to cater a lesson for learners with all abilities. The tutor of my session showed clear enthusiasm for the subject which was motivating and showed me the positive impact that enthusiasm can have on learners.
I have previously volunteered at a Primary School as a dance teacher and held a 6-week block leading 20 children. I have always had a passion for dance and teaching so this is an activity that came naturally to me.
From the workshop, I have learned good teaching techniques and feel that I could confidently lead a class with a similar PE lesson if required on placement.
One key lesson that I learned was to always check song lyrics/music videos in advance to ensure nothing explicit is introduced to the children. This is a point that perhaps would not have been one of my main focuses and after learning the importance of doing research on songs I will remember to do so in the future.
Another key lesson I learned was to remind myself that dance is a form of self-expression and children should be free to express themselves in any form they like (within reason). This means reminding the children to have fun and not to fear they are dancing incorrectly as there is no right or wrong.
A final key concept of the workshop was to encourage partner/group work in order to spark ideas off of one another and share ideas. This allows children to learn off of their classmates and have an opportunity to share their originality. Therefore I will ensure I include this in dance but also in other forms of learning within the classroom.
Overall I found the workshop to be both fun and interesting. I have learned some great tips for teaching and I am looking forward to putting them into practice over my placement!
