Take Some Time Out - dance notes creativity blog for teachers

Do you take time out from outputting? Are you always working through literal or metaphorical to-do lists? Maybe it’s worth standing back a while and allowing for a little input.

I had the very good fortune to visit Paris over the weekend. Whilst there, I went to the Pompidou Centre. Not only is the building itself a thing of inspiration but the exhibitions are truly mind-altering.

Switching Channels

Not everything was to my personal taste but that’s no bad thing either. Some exhibitions seemed to be there purely to provoke and anger. Which they did. Others, however, were transformative in more thought-provoking and life-enhancing ways.

Describing visual art is possibly like singing architecture. So, I won’t bore you with any attempts to convey the content or meaning of what was on display. However, the thing that struck me was the overall experience. It had the effect of making me somehow mentally switch channels.

Artistic Possibility

As a friend put it, you may find yourself – after a while – gazing on a fire hose and marveling at its beauty. Only after some time, do you realise that it is not, after all, an exhibit. However, this is a sign that you have opened your imagination to the artistic possibility within all things.

Nothing in Particular

As the weekend wore on, and my wife and I had ticked off the places we ‘had’ to visit, it became possible to then relax into simply being. Time was taken to sit at street-side cafes. From there, we observed the age-old tradition of watching the world go by. A happy lunch hour was then spent lying on grass in an ornate square, complete with fountains and statue.

We remarked on the intrinsic value of public spaces, to which people are drawn in order to do nothing in particular. Rather than marveling at the statue (Louis XIII, since you ask), it was actually more entertaining to simply let our minds roam. And to watch others do much the same.

From Output to Input

Research has suggested that children require periods of boredom in order to discover their innate creativity. The same would seem to be as true – if not more so – for adults. We all need to take a breath from time to time. To switch from ‘output’ to ‘input’. Or even ‘standby’. Only then do we free up the mental and emotional space required to engage our creative selves.

Immersion in unfamiliar surroundings or exposure to new and interesting artworks can transport us beyond our mundane everyday thinking. However, should such activities be done purely by way of ticking them off a list, the impact will be lessened. We need to be present and empty in order to receive.

The Luxury of Being Bored

So, see if you can take time out soon for some real creative input. Maybe listen to a concert, go to a gallery, take a long walk. Or simply allow yourself the luxury of being bored.

https://www.bbc.com/news/education-21895704

Ourselves (KS1)

Keep Your Distance

Creative Impatience

Dance Notes has given me the confidence to deliver Dance, something I have always struggled with or avoided. There are plenty of topics and themes to choose from and it is easy to use. Because there are no ‘rights and wrong’s about what children’s responses are, children were confident to join in and do what they felt and wanted rather than think ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I can’t dance’. Some boys who can sometimes be disruptive were totally engaged in Rough and Tumble. Also, because children can choose their own movements, there were less ‘rules’. Children were back from school after lockdown and thoroughly enjoyed moving and expressing themselves to music. Because the music is there ready and the plans are written for you, there is no scrabbling around finding suitable music. I would previously avoid teaching dance as I didn’t have plans or music.

Trish

This is the best dance scheme of work that I have used in my 40 years of teaching and even better than a dance teacher that comes into school. The children are very engaged in dance and enjoy it much more than they used to do. By doing the dance moves they are able to understand how people used to live. I have had many students who find it difficult to work with others but dance notes helped them find the confidence to change. I have had students who were not willing to join in with dance but with dance notes they find it enjoyable. The notes are so clear and well structured and the tracks are available too so there is no need for new planning.

Pauline

It is so easy to use with loads of possible units that can be used across the year.

Dance Notes has massively helped my planning of cross curricular dance. The children have really enjoyed the lessons. They have been able to bring their learning from the classroom and turn it into performance which has been joyous to watch. My planning time was cut in half with the use of Dance Notes

Kelly

Easy to follow instructions with the music. Good pair and group work. Fits well with my Ancient Greece topic. Thanks so much! It’s a great unit – it worked so well I’m doing it again this year.

Anna

I wanted to contact you and let your team know how useful we have found your resources. They have given our staff the confidence to deliver dance, knowing that their lessons will cover age-appropriate content. The plans clearly cover and develop choreographic/performance and appreciation skills and knowledge.

The topics you offer have allowed us to deliver and make truly cross curricular links within each year group. To have the music included has not only saved time but made the lessons fun for both staff and pupils.

I have been so impressed by the friendly, helpful and efficient service…thank you.

Finola

It was just what I was looking for. The planning for our circus dance unit was done for me. They encouraged the children to work together. The children behaved well in the dance lessons as they enjoyed them.

Lisa

They are lovely ideas set to fantastic music. Saves times finding appropriate music. The activities lend themselves to children creating movement together. Children are always engaged. Different ways of moving.

Cathy

The lessons are clear and easy to follow for any member of staff and the bonus is having the music provided with the lessons so teachers don’t need to spend hours searching for music. The lessons are detailed and planned out so no need to do much before the lessons. The lessons encourage collaboration whether it be paired work, small group work and whole class performance. The themes are able to be linked to topics in school which gives more of a purpose to the lessons. Well being is promoted by keeping children active. Gives pupils ideas on composing dances, movement sequences and choreography ideas.

Kate

Well resourced. Lessons easy to follow and adapt if teachers wish. Significantly reduces teacher workload. Boys and girls work well together as there are ‘boy’ themes they engage with. Boys more willing to join in.

Sallyann

Provides good lesson ideas, including warm ups and cool downs, building to a final piece at the end of the unit.

Tim

Great music. Activities are a good starting point. To be a 10, maybe some examples of shapes or videos of dances to inspire pupils or teachers who don’t know what they don’t know. Increased engagement leads to pupils applying themselves more resulting in improved motifs, shapes and sequences.

Ella

I have already recommended to Year 5 in my school and in September will encourage other year groups to use the scheme. Some of the boys in the class are more intrigued as the music and improvisation is more interesting. Children are more aware of terminology whilst dancing. Children want to push themselves to create a piece of dance. Following the lesson materials means we don’t have to create and source music or plans.

Sophie

Dance Notes has had a positive impact on the children who initially did not think that they would enjoy dance. Engagement in the lessons is high and behaviour is good. As the sports coach, I also feel a lot more confident in teaching dance now, as I did before I started using Dance Notes.

Jonathan

It was easy to order, lessons were enjoyed and I felt like the children had accomplished new skills at the end. They learned about the way people lived and moved during Stone Age Britain and created some great group dances. Boys are often reluctant to take part but enjoyed this dance unit and we’re actively engaged. The unit of work was easy to pick up and deliver . Saved lots of time.

Catherine

The resources- notes and music- were excellent. Clear to follow. Such a time-saver for the non-specialist. Children responded well and enjoyed the dance lessons.

All KS1 teachers found good to use. All PE helps develop fine and gross motor skills, which helps overall attainment . Dance notes motivated the children. Good vocabulary included. Good partner and group work. Motivation leads to better behaviour. Dance helps creativity and hence well being.

Rose

I have only used 1 unit so don’t have loads of experience using dance notes but I’ve really enjoyed what I have used. Clear guidance for teachers leads to better focus on learning in lessons and extends technical vocabulary. Partner and group work in the pirate unit children were motivated by the music to be creative and work together. Most children motivated and positive towards dancing. Helped some children gain confidence. Well-being music has a very positive impact and helps to motivate. Repetition of music linked to each lesson also builds confidence.

Jane

The lessons are easy to follow, the music is good and appropriate. The children are able to create movements very creatively using the ideas in the lessons. They can hear the speed of the music and adjust the speed and style of their movement. Many ideas provided require group work and collaboration in actions. The children are engaged and enjoy the activities so are less likely to misbehave.

Liz

Easy to follow lesson plans. Great ideas. Super music choices. Covers all aspects of dance and pupils are always engaged.

Melissa

Very cost effective set of planning complete with suitable music and excellent, expert content. Children can more readily describe their understanding using technical vocabulary. Plenty of group choreography opportunities and peer assessment moments. Where children previously couldn’t use dance related vocabulary to describe their performance and learning, they can now readily do that! Better in-lesson behaviour for learning.

Elton

Lesson plans have broad and varied subject content for Dance with cross curricular themes. Dance Notes provides music tracks of varied styles that stand alone or accompany the lesson plans. Children are motivated by the lesson plans. Lesson plans teach children about key dance principles. Children create dances in duets, trios and small groups. Differentiation is offered within lesson plans. The lesson plans are age appropriate in content and children enjoy them.

Lucilla

It offers teachers of all knowledge level and confidence the chance to offer dance lessons for all students. Participation in dance has improved dramatically. All children totally engaged with lessons – lots of topic areas offered for boys, who can sometimes lack interest. A great amount of collaboration in lessons. Wellbeing has been helped by children having the opportunity in engaging dance lessons.

Sarah

Allows all children to take part and work together. All get involved and have a purpose in the lesson. Music not always liked by the children.

Joanne

Clear, simple to follow planning with all resources together. Lots of topics covered.

Katie