Dance is the art of gesture and movement. It transforms images, ideas, and feelings into movement sequences that are personally and socially significant. Dance organizes physical energy within time and space, and may draw upon the power of music, literature, drama, and the visual arts. Dance is a natural means of communication and expression, integrating movement, feeling, and intellect. As a fine art, dance is a balance of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. It embraces movement, creation, and performance. Dance demands our personal best. It stretches the limits of our physical ability, of our expressiveness, and of the human spirit. Dance can be powerful, vital, and joyful. People dance for many reasons and in all stages of life. Appreciation of dance provides a context for understanding the world and contributes to a vibrant culture.
Dance education provides all students with opportunities to experience, understand, and value the language and art of dance. Dance uses movement uniquely, providing an exciting impetus for learning in all areas of the curriculum.
This dance curriculum has been written much like the art itselfas a continuum. It has been developed to make dance accessible to all students and educators, while encouraging the physical, creative, and intellectual development of each student.
Dance is a required area of learning in the primary years. Children enter the primary years already experienced in the expressive movement of play. This experience can be a motivational foundation for all learning. Dance education in the primary years provides students with experiences that enhance their physical, intellectual, aesthetic, and social development. Dance education provides opportunities to develop the imagination, and encourages children to co-operate, develop friendships, and appreciate their own and others´ abilities and cultural identities. These experiences occur in a nurturing environment where the student can be actively involved in the creative process, and begin the development of a lifelong appreciation of dance.
All four of the fine arts (dance, drama, music, and visual arts) are required areas of study through grade 6. In grades 7 to 10, students are required to choose one or more of the four fine arts areas of study (dance, drama, music, and visual arts). Dance in the intermediate years provides students with opportunities to extend their creative, expressive, and technical abilities. Students broaden and refine their skills in composing, performing, and appraising. They are encouraged to incorporate dance in the development of their intellectual and social lives both in and outside of school. Dance education in the intermediate years also helps to develop good work habits, and promotes further awareness and understanding of career opportunities in dance and the contribution dance makes to our society.
The graduation years build on previous learning by providing students with a balanced study of the nature of dance through active participation, observation, and inquiry. In addition, students at the graduation level will have continued opportunities for specialization in technique, choreography, performance, and research. The study of specialized dance genres will depend on the availability of trained instructors within the school and community. Students will acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable them to be involved in dance as a lifelong interest or to pursue careers in this field.
An education in dance allows students to acquire dance literacy skills that contribute to their development as educated citizens. It provides students with opportunities to:
Province of British Columbia
Ministry of Education
Curriculum Branch
© 1995 Copyright
Maintained by: Fine Arts Coordinator - Dance
Revised: January 25, 1999
Ministry of Education Home Page
Table of Contents