Dance=Creativity, Creativity=Power

There is a huge secret that many dancers already know and all non-dancers fail to realize. Dancers have been trying their best to bring people in 'the light' for a very long time. If everyone knew this secret, it would change the shape of education as we know it.

How do we get students to learn? How do we get students to think outside the box and be resourceful? How do we help them develop their inner voice and express their opinions?

The secret is simple... make them choreograph a piece!

The book Educational Pyschology by Robert J. Sternberg discusses some learners having an entity view of thinking. This means believing that intelligence cannot be learned, but rather something you are born with. Imagine believing that your mind can only hold enough room for the math problem 1+1=2. This is a very unrealistic way of thinking, but now translate this to a person who may say 'I will always be a horrible dancer' or 'I could never be a scientist'.

Having students choreograph a piece, or even just a phrase of movement, forces students to delve in to their minds for movement they have seen or learned in the past. As they connect the steps together, it is important as a teacher to challenge them further and give them positive feedback. Saying something like "Oh! I like that move. What if you repeated it or slowed it down?" can give a wide range of ideas to a amateur choreographer.

Do not think choreography is something that can only happen in the dance classroom. Kids can make shapes with their bodies that express geometrical shapes and/or their functions. How would a student's dance look if they were to represent an obtuse angle? Possibly really big jumps and large hand motions could display this, but then again, it is up to the student.

In history class, students could create a skit acting out the events of a historical event. Let them be the directors! Make it a lot of fun by videotaping them and showing them off in class as a mini-movie. The possibilities are endless!

Students will always take pride in something they can physically see put to life. The stress of performing in front of peers will automatically up the ante and push kids to want to do their best. Nothing beats the sound of applause after it is over and the positive feedback from others so make sure you train students on being a good audience.

Dance has been proven to increase test scores and learning in other subject matters. Just look at the Evidence: A Report on the Impact of Dance in the K-12 Setting by the National Dance Education Organization for proof. It is time to create students who are not afraid to create! Do it NOW!