Dance Resource Category: Publications

When a Boy’s Gotta Dance

Why would boys want to dance? Why would anyone want to dance? The argument prosecuted in this paper is that dance educators have tended to see dance as a self-evidently good thing with self-evident benefits for children who learn to dance. In other words, dance educators tend to concern themselves with why students should dance rather than why students want to dance or not dance. Instead, I propose that educators need also to think about how students, but particularly boys, experience, think and feel about dance here and now. But rather than offering an over-arching philosophy, I then discuss some practices from my own teaching research and practice which attempt to engage with young people’s experiences of dance. In short, my argument is that the content of dance education might just as profitably be concerned with the immediacy of pleasure and displeasure rather than dry, hopeful and formal educational objectives.

When a Boy’s Gotta Dance

Why would boys want to dance? Why would anyone want to dance? The argument prosecuted in this paper is that dance educators have tended to see dance as a self-evidently good thing with self-evident benefits for children who learn to dance. In other words, dance educators tend to concern themselves with why students should dance rather than why students want to dance or not dance. Instead, I propose that educators need also to think about how students, but particularly boys, experience, think and feel about dance here and now. But rather than offering an over-arching philosophy, I then discuss some practices from my own teaching research and practice which attempt to engage with young people’s experiences of dance. In short, my argument is that the content of dance education might just as profitably be concerned with the immediacy of pleasure and displeasure rather than dry, hopeful and formal educational objectives.

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Dance Advantage

A blog about dance for teachers, parents & students

Dance Advantage

A blog about dance for teachers, parents & students

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Partnering Dance and Education. Intelligent Moves for Changing Times

This book offers information and insights for university dance educators and their students, administrators, policy makers, parents, dance instructors, dancers, and dance enthusiasts. Part 1, “Understanding Dance Education,” explains key features of the discipline of dance and how it is a performing, liberal, physical, and applied art. Its four chapters include (1) “Is Dance a Distinct Body of Knowledge?” (2) “The Power of Dance Well Taught,” (3) “Survival of Dance Education,” and (4) “Who Should Teach Dance?” Part 2, “Learning In, About, and Through Dance,” describes how to teach social, academic, and career skills through dance. Its chapters include (5) “Teaching Academic, Citizenship, and Workplace Skills Through Dance,” (6) “Dance Education for At-Risk Youth,” (7) “Children’s Dance at Play as a Teaching Tool,” (8) “National Identity and Cultural Diversity in Dance Education,” (9) “Dance Education and Gender,” and (10) “Dance Education and Stress.” A finale, “Overcoming Obstacles and Moving Forward,” discusses hurdles to dance education’s success and notes promising pathways to overcome these obstacles. The three appendixes include discussion questions, an outline of National Dance Education Standards, and dance education resources.

Partnering Dance and Education. Intelligent Moves for Changing Times

This book offers information and insights for university dance educators and their students, administrators, policy makers, parents, dance instructors, dancers, and dance enthusiasts. Part 1, “Understanding Dance Education,” explains key features of the discipline of dance and how it is a performing, liberal, physical, and applied art. Its four chapters include (1) “Is Dance a Distinct Body of Knowledge?” (2) “The Power of Dance Well Taught,” (3) “Survival of Dance Education,” and (4) “Who Should Teach Dance?” Part 2, “Learning In, About, and Through Dance,” describes how to teach social, academic, and career skills through dance. Its chapters include (5) “Teaching Academic, Citizenship, and Workplace Skills Through Dance,” (6) “Dance Education for At-Risk Youth,” (7) “Children’s Dance at Play as a Teaching Tool,” (8) “National Identity and Cultural Diversity in Dance Education,” (9) “Dance Education and Gender,” and (10) “Dance Education and Stress.” A finale, “Overcoming Obstacles and Moving Forward,” discusses hurdles to dance education’s success and notes promising pathways to overcome these obstacles. The three appendixes include discussion questions, an outline of National Dance Education Standards, and dance education resources.

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Dance Horizons

Princeton Book Company publications, DVDs and video.

Dance Horizons

Princeton Book Company publications, DVDs and video.

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Human Kinetics

At Human Kinetics, our mission is to produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives.

Human Kinetics is committed to providing quality informational and educational products in the physical activity and health fields that meet the needs of our diverse customers. Within the physical activity field, recreational and organized sports are a major focus.

Our customers include scholars who study physical activity and health issues; professionals who apply sport, physical activity, and health knowledge in delivering useful services; and the public who engage in fitness and sports activities in many forms and who benefit from living healthier lifestyles.

Human Kinetics

At Human Kinetics, our mission is to produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives.

Human Kinetics is committed to providing quality informational and educational products in the physical activity and health fields that meet the needs of our diverse customers. Within the physical activity field, recreational and organized sports are a major focus.

Our customers include scholars who study physical activity and health issues; professionals who apply sport, physical activity, and health knowledge in delivering useful services; and the public who engage in fitness and sports activities in many forms and who benefit from living healthier lifestyles.

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The Healthy Dancer

The mission of The Healthy Dancer Blog is to aid the development of intelligent, thinking, healthy dancers and to draw attention to ways that dancers can improve their technique through cross-training, better nutrition and body awareness.

The Healthy Dancer

The mission of The Healthy Dancer Blog is to aid the development of intelligent, thinking, healthy dancers and to draw attention to ways that dancers can improve their technique through cross-training, better nutrition and body awareness.

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Dance & Culture: An Introductory Reader

Dance is more than learning steps; it is an interdisciplinary, multicultural subject that can teach students about the world around them. This illustrated dance textbook explores dance from around the world, their influence in the United States, and the importance of preserving these dances for future generations. Studying dances of other cultures aids in understanding of shared values and develops respect for the uniqueness of each dance style.

Dance & Culture: An Introductory Reader

Dance is more than learning steps; it is an interdisciplinary, multicultural subject that can teach students about the world around them. This illustrated dance textbook explores dance from around the world, their influence in the United States, and the importance of preserving these dances for future generations. Studying dances of other cultures aids in understanding of shared values and develops respect for the uniqueness of each dance style.

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