Teaching Children Dance-2nd Edition

184 pages published:2005

About the Book

Teaching Children Dance contains a practical framework and approach for presenting creative dance lessons to children in kindergarten to fifth grade. It combines essential dance content appropriate for an elementary-level program with detailed descriptions of strategies. Featuring 20 dance learning experiences, the book has been updated and expanded to reflect educators’ renewed commitment to making dance an integral part of children’s education.

You’ll learn to view dance as an art form while improving your teaching and increasing your confidence. You’ll also learn the benefits of introducing dance to elementary students, the most effective ways to teach it, and what to teach and when to teach it.

In part I, you’ll find a wealth of new content, including ideas on how to design and present a dance learning experience composed of units and lessons, suggestions for classroom management, updated assessment content, and strategies for interdisciplinary connections.

Part II presents 20 dance learning experiences, reorganized for easy reference into two categories: kindergarten to second grade and third to fifth grade. These ready-to-use experiences walk you step by step through the dance process, beginning with an introduction and ending with a dance. Use experiences from either category as a series or dance unit—either way, you’ll set a welcoming environment for learning and creating.

Other features include the following: • Questions for reflection at the end of each chapter encourage teachers to apply the content to their own teaching style and preferences. • Nuts and bolts for presenting dance learning experiences ensure adherence to national and state standards. • New photographs and illustrations make the book visually attractive and show the ideas presented in action.

About the Authors

Theresa Purcell Cone, PhD, is a physical education and dance teacher at Brunswick Acres Elementary School in Kendall Park, New Jersey, where she also directs a children’s dance company. She is also an adjunct professor at Rowan University in New Jersey and a teacher and choreographer at the Princeton Ballet School.

Dr. Cone is a past president of the National Dance Association and was named its first K-12 Dance Educator of the Year. She is also a member of the National Dance Education Organization, the Alliance for Arts Education/New Jersey, and numerous other professional organizations. Dr. Cone was coauthor of Interdisciplinary Teaching Through Physical Education (Human Kinetics, 1998).

In 2004, Dr. Cone was awarded a Presidential Citation by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She also was awarded the Margie R. Hanson Distinguished Service Award by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Dr. Cone received her doctorate in dance from Temple University.

Stephen L. Cone, PhD, is a professor in the department of health and exercise science at Rowan University in New Jersey. Previously, he was chair of the physical education department at Keene State College in New Hampshire.

Dr. Cone is past president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) and received their Honor Award in 2000. He is also a member of the New Jersey AHPERD, the Alliance for Arts Education/New Jersey, and numerous other professional organizations. He has written dozens of articles for physical education publications and was coauthor of Interdisciplinary Teaching Through Physical Education (Human Kinetics, 1998).

Dr. Cone was made a charter fellow in the North American Society for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals in 2000. He also was named an American Council on Education fellow in 1993-94. He received a Presidential Citation from the National Dance Association in 1995. Dr. Cone earned his doctorate in motor learning and sport psychology from Texas A&M University.