The purpose of the book is to help teachers develop an understanding of dance in the preschool setting, sense when dance can be a natural extension of classroom activity, and develop skill in planning and leading meaningful dance experiences. The first chapter of this book discusses what dance in preschool education is about and its importance for young children. In the second chapter, the content of movement is presented; these elements are the building blocks from which dance activities are created and provide reference points for developing ideas into class activities. The third chapter discusses general preparation for dance activities, and chapter 4 offers a step-by-step description of the process of developing an idea into a class session. Chapters 5 and 6 discuss the reality of teaching a dance class, and the final two chapters give suggestions for adapting material to particular groups--the very young, the handicapped, and parent-child groups. The appendixes include resources and strategies for recorded music, ideas for use in lessons, children's literature, sample original stories, sample lesson on a specific movement theme: curved and angular lines, and suggested resources for further reading. (JD)

This is a unique and powerful presentation of the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism on the five elements: earth, water, air, fire, and space. In their gross and subtle forms, these elements combine to make up the infinite illusory display of phenomenal existence. Through teachings, stories, and his distinctive use of language, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche relates how the energies of the elements manifest within our everyday world, in individual behavior and group traditions, relationships and solitude, medicine and art. He explains their links to the five Buddha families and their respective Wisdom Dakinis, and shows how each element relates to our senses, temperament, passions, habits, and karmic potentials. This magic dance of the elements, he concludes, can be transformed through meditation practice and cultivating the calm, vast, and playful state of consciousness that he calls "playmind."

This classic "must have" is NDA's most popular publication. Includes locomotor/nonlocomotor movement, assessment, and interdisciplinary topics.

Grade level: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ,9, 10, 11, 12, k, p, e, i, s, t.

Brenda McCutchen provides an integrated approach to dance education, using four cornerstones: dancing and performing, creating and composing, historical and cultural inquiry and analysing and critiquing. She also illustrates the main developmental aspects of dance.

Teaching Dance Studies is a practical guide, written by college professors and dancers/choreographers active in the field, introducing key issues in dance pedagogy. Many young people graduating from universities with degrees – either PhDs or MFAs – desire to teach dance, either in college settings or at local dance schools. This collection covers all areas of dance education, including improvisation/choreography; movement analysis; anthropology; theory; music for dance; dance on film; kinesiology/injury prevention; notation; history; archiving; and criticism. Among the contributors included in the volume are: Bill Evans, writing on movement analysis; Susan Foster on dance theory; Ilene Fox on notation; Linda Tomko addresses new approaches to teaching the history of all types of dance; and Elizabeth Aldrich writing on archiving.

Teaching Children Dance, Third Edition, presents 31 ready-to-use lessons that bring fun and challenging dance experiences to elementary-aged children of all ability levels. The updated third edition includes 13 new learning experiences and two new chapters on teaching children with disabilities and making interdisciplinary connections.

"This book is wonderful. My colleagues often state that the joy has been taken out of teaching. This book is a wake-up call that should be read by lawmakers at every level. Today I am celebrating the childhood of my students—something that we forget to do." —Christine Zajac, Principal Lt. Clayre Sullivan School, Holyoke, MA There is more to education than teacher-proof curricula and scores on high-stakes tests! Educators know that genuine teaching involves caring, compassion, and building character—principles that can sometimes take a back seat to short-term goals of standardized performance. This inspirational volume for practicing teachers, student teachers, and school leaders champions the heart and soul of teaching and emphasizes how teachers can influence, inspire, and touch the lives of learners. The book explores the central themes of teaching practice and offers perspectives on: Teaching as an art that promotes creativity, character, and imagination in students Balancing testing and accountability with the art and passion of teaching Authentic being and authentic teaching Reform from the ground level, where educators are making a difference in the lives of their students New directions for accountability mandates A motivating and empowering guide, this book reminds educators why they went into teaching in the first place!

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A PLANET FAR, FAR AWAY... The planet was called Kateraan. All of its inhabitants were cats- incredibly smart, genius cats! Kateraan was a world of vast scientific achievement. Everyone on this planet was a genius at something. Everyon, except for El Gato, so they thought. And the big discovery in the life of the average Kateraanian was that of determining what he/she was brilliant at. To ease each Kateraanian along the path to discovery of his or her brilliance, huge institutions of higher learning had been established. They contained their computer data banks vast storehouses of all the accumulated knowledge of hundreds of years brilliant work by Kateraanian scientists, historians, mathematicians, sociologists, etc. And, these institutions were staffed by a faculty of the most brilliant minds available to the Kateraanian populace, at large. To be a teacher in Kateraan was an honor bestowed only upon the best and the brightest of an already stellar pool of talent. It was the highest position anybody could achieve in society short of being a world leader. There is no such thing as dance music on planet Kateraan. The Kateraanians believe that any kind of music other than drone sounds or classical music is the work of the Devil, because it promotes hatred, violence, discrimination and domination. Thus, at times, life can be a bit boring, hearing the same old drone sounds and/or classical music over and over again. In brief, El Gato's goal is to prove the Kateraanian's that not all music can be healing voice of the universe. El Gato further believes that non-toxic music promotes self-respect, as well as respect for others. Moreover, good music promotes fun, togetherness and a sense of hope when things aren't going well. The bottom line according to El Gato, "Life ain't fun until the music plays."