Creative Dance and Learning is a comprehensive teaching guide that addresses the “what”, “why” and “how” of creative dance. It provides theoretical and practical guidance on teaching creative dance, particularly in educational settings. It is both a textbook for dance education courses and a resource for current dance and non-dance teachers. The authors speak from a passionate, lifelong commitment to arts education and thirty years of experience as dance specialists in elementary school, community and university settings. It is steeped in the influence of Barbara Mettler’s work along with the theories and practice of two other dance educator/theorists whom she admired: Margaret H’Doubler and Rudolf Laban. 

Published by Princeton Book Publishers / Softcover / 416 pgs 

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How to obtain Creative Dance and Learning: 

PART I: A KINESTHETIC APPROACH TO DANCE AS CREATIVE ART ACTIVITY 

1: Breaking Ground 

2: Principles of Dance as Creative Art Activity 

3: Creative Dance: A Collage of Learning 

PART II: A FRAMEWORK FOR TEACHING THE ELEMENTS OF DANCE 

4: The Instrument of Dance: The Body 

5: The Material of Dance: The Force Element 

6: The Material of Dance: The Time Element 

7: The Material of Dance: The Space Element 

Table: Elements of Dance 

PART III: LINKING DANCE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM 

8: Linking into the Elements of Dance 

Table: Inter-Disciplinary Links to the Elements of Dance and Linking Lessons }

9: Connecting to World Cultures 

10: Engaging Multiple Intelligences 

PART IV: BUILDING MOVEMENT LESSONS 

11: The Lesson Planning Process 

12: Creating a Learning Environment for Dance 

13: Assessing Student Progress 

PART V: CREATIVE DANCE LESSONS 

14: Foundation Lessons 

15: Extension Lessons from the Body Element 

16: Extension Lessons from the Force Element 

17: Extension Lessons from the Time Element 

18: Extension Lessons from the Space Element 

19: Crossover Extension Lessons 

Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Influences 

Appendix B: Musculoskeletal System 

Appendix C: Formats for Group Work 

Appendix D: Creative Dance Performance Objectives 

Appendix E: Quick and Easy Activities 

Appendix F: Teaching Resources 

Bibliography 

Index