This paper examines specific pedagogical themes, findings, and implications for dance education. The focus is on the topic of educating the student body in dance. The paper draws on a preliminary introduction and analysis from a previous study and accompanying course which pointed out a common dominant focus in dance education (an externalized…

This issue of "The Progress of Education Reform" provides a brief summary of several recent research studies on the role and value of education in the arts, as well as a look at the results of National Assessment of Educational Progress tests in music, visual arts and theater. A growing body of evidence points to the important role of arts…

The focus of this special issue is how art facilitates the cognitive maturation of the child. In the last 20 years, the copious research conducted in the field of children's art and artistic development underscores that children's intellectual, as well as emotional development, is of long-standing and continuing interest. (RM)

Nine articles give information to help make professionals in health, physical education, recreation, dance, and athletics more knowledgeable about planning facilities. Design of natatoriums, physical fitness laboratories, fitness trails, gymnasium lighting, homemade play equipment, indoor soccer arenas, and dance floors is considered. A…

Planned movement experiences can serve as a vehicle for young children's self-expression, problem-solving, and body awareness development. Techniques and learning activities for providing creative movement experiences to children in early childhood programs are described. (PP)

The 1980 Morley Olympics at May Morley Elementary School is an example of a successful special event in which sport served as the launching pad for an interdisciplinary educational experience. Teachers developed special classroom activities featuring the Olympic Games. Students registered as competitors from several countries. (JN)

The Orff Schulwerk Approach is an ordered framework in which children create speech, movement, and music as part of their daily learning processes. The approach entails movement training and movement forms, improvisation, dance, and music and language play. (JN)

The author offers these suggestions for increasing the creative component of elementary fine arts education: In art, encourage drawing, not just crafts; in music, use classical and folk music, as well as popular songs; for physical development, deemphasize team sports in favor of fitness and creative movement. (SJL)

It is the responsibility of the movement education and dance teacher to create an atmosphere of free expression in which the child can grow personally as well as educationally. (LH)

Examines both generally and with particular attention to dance aesthetics, philosophy, and theory the implications of the divorcement of sensibility from intelligence. (Author/RK)

Explores how one first-grade teacher incorporates dance experiences to support lessons across the curriculum. Describes the exploration of basic dance elements; creation of simple dances to support lessons in math, science, and language arts; the study of movement in nature; creation of a dance story; and use of the dance story to produce a…

Examined how elementary students' use of critical thinking in their movement actions was inspired by an "expert" teacher's task design, task presentation, and instructional strategies during creative dance lessons. Data from videotaped lessons and written anecdotes indicated that by presenting sequential, open- ended tasks and learning…

Presents three days of classroom activities for children 4 years and older in preschools using a videotape of Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" through which children explore storytelling through dance and music, learn the nuances of music, and become aware of the performing arts. Includes steps for teacher preparation, a script for…

Discusses the success of arts-focused schools in performing and visual arts. Offers examples of outstanding schools. Focuses on the importance of having the best administration, the administrative considerations involved in establishing a successful arts-infused school, and finding the best faculty with a diverse focus. (CMK)

Describes how two proficient teachers of physical education retrained to become proficient teachers of writing. Discusses the plan for retraining teachers; the connections between writing, tennis, and dance; revision; evaluation; and outcomes. (SR)