Dance/Theater Pedagogy Seminar explores the connection between engaged dance and elementary school literacy, mathematics and social studies while allowing students the opportunity to be civically engaged and contribute to the community. The course combines teaching movement classes to elementary school students while collectively engaging in an in depth exploration of Dance and Theater in Elementary Education with an emphasis on recent developments in the field. Fieldwork takes place weekly at designated out-of-class times. Classroom management skills, lesson planning strategies and various methods of evaluation/assessment will be examined.
Sample reading list:
Anne Green Gilbert, Creative Dance for All Ages
Teresa Benzwie, A Moving Experience: Dance for Lover’s of Children
Anne Green Gilbert, Brain Compatible Dance Education
Sandra Minton, Using Movement to Teach Academics
G. Kassing, Dance Teaching Methods and Curriculum Design: K-12 Dance Ed.
Stephen Wangh, The Heart of Teaching
Reading/Writing assignments:
Students will be required to read approximately 10 to 30 pages/week. Students will write a two page assessment/ reflection of classes taught during fieldwork, every week. Students will write a mid term essay, present a mid-term book report and complete a final project (create a 15 class syllabus/curriculum).
Other Requirements:
United States Travel Required
Prerequisites and Restrictions:
Although the Program in Teacher Preparation does not offer a certificate in dance instruction at this time, interested students may consult with program staff regarding available pathways for state licensure. This course cannot be used as a substitute for other Teacher Prep required coursework..
Other information:
In addition to class time on Fridays from 10 am to 12:50 pm, fieldwork requires that students must be available either Thursdays from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm to teach a class on-campus to Princeton Elementary school 5th graders at Community House or Friday afternoons at Grant School in Trenton. Transportation provided. New Jersey background check and fingerprinting required prior to teaching at Grant School. Administrative assistance and transportation will be provided.
