Dance

When I went into this portion of class I was thinking that it was going to be like dance routines. I have never danced and I have very little coordination and I was really worried. I stayed worried even throughout the activity because I didn't want to look stupid, I have a hard time with dance. But as we worked in class I realized it was so much more open for interpretation. It's more of an expression of emotion through movement than what I think of as dance. The practical application of dance became more real as I became aware of the emotion I experienced and how I could express that. I think learning that is invaluable in so many ways. 

 As we talked in class about why dance would be beneficial for children I realized that the kids in my cooperating class could really enjoy dance. The classroom I am going into has 6 children with ADHD and 3 with severe physical disabilities. I think using dance in one of my lessons could really help the kids with ADHD channel their energy in a good way. It could help them express themselves in a way they never thought before. The 3 with physical disabilities could also really benefit from being part of their class in a new way. I want them to experience a new body connection and it really makes me want to try dance during field.

  

I need to practice creative dance often enough that I become comfortable with it. I also need to practice side coaching and telling students what to do using the correct language. I feel that I need to look for other materials to aid me in how I could use dance even more than any other art because I am least comfortable with it. I feel like I could also do this activity with my family and make it more a part of my life.

The group experience was great again. I wrote half of the lesson plan and wrote the assessment and extension, I also chose the book. I feel that my group members did give a lot of input and encouragement to do this assignment because I was very anxious and nervous about it. I have learned that some people just don't want to step up which works for me because I like to be the boss. I have also learned that I like working with people that have various strengths that are different from my own because I can learn more from them than when I work with all people that are very similar to me.