Creative dance improvisation involves both the movement of the body with awareness and the awakening of the creative spirit. The basic elements of creative dance improvisation--force, time, and space--are examined with a view toward how this approach to dance can be a means for growth in the general education of anyone throughout their lives.…

Intended for elementary school teachers who wish to implement a lesson on dance theater and dance as an art form to be used in conjunction with live performance, this guide offers classroom and extracurricular activities to teach children about various aspects of dance. Part 1 of the guide includes an introduction to Manhattan's City Center, a…

Designed to be used before and after attending a centennial performance of the music of African American composer William Grant Still, this cue sheet presents information about the performance. The cue sheet presents biographical information about Still and background information on the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., which had been closed…

A part of the New York City Board of Education Early Stages educational program, this activity packet was developed to assist teachers in preparing students for viewing the American Ballet Theatre's production of "The Nutcracker." The guide begins with a section on preparing for the performance, and includes information on the Early…

Three word puzzles are offered covering social, folk, and square dance terms and a description of a square dance for beginning to intermediate-level dancers. (JMF)

This publication is a performance guide containing several brief articles for students to use before and after attending an Arts Exposure Program given by the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). The first article, "Dancing," traces the origins and history of dance itself, and in particular, ballet. The second article, "Arthur Mitchell…

A lesson in the traditional music and dance of Panama and Puerto Rico focuses on the significant African influence in Hispanic culture. The lesson describes a dance, the instruments used, and the costumes worn, and explains the customs surrounding its performance. Entirely in Spanish with side glosses in English, the lesson is followed by…

This booklet describes and presents instructions and background for five popular Bulgarian folk dances. The document is part of an ethnic heritage teaching unit on folk arts of the Bulgarian people. The objective of the project is to help American students in elementary, junior high, and high schools understand and appreciate Bulgarians and their…

This textbook is designed for both undergraduate and graduate students who aspire to meet the individual needs of children with disabilities in physical education, recreation, sport, fitness, or rehabilitation settings. The goal is to prepare professionals to meet the personnel standards established by the National Consortium of Physical and…

This children's book describes how a Mexican-American family celebrates the traditional Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos). The book centers on 10-year-old twins, Ximena and Azucena, who live in Sacramento, California, with their two brothers, older sister, and parents. The Day of the Dead takes place on the first and second day of…

A text on the classical and folk dance of Spain includes a pretest, provided in both English and Spanish; text about the dance in general and the dance of Spain, both classical and folkloric; tests on the text, in both English and Spanish; more specific readings about the traditions of flamenco, castanets, and "el jaleo"; a glossary of…

Intended for all performing artists and students in the performing arts, this book begins with a history of mime through the ages (Chapter 1). Chapter 2 (Warming Up) discusses technique and artistry and offers an illustrated class exercise. Chapter 3 (Premise Work) continues with class exercises and considers how a teacher designs exercises and…

Traditional and contemporary Hupa songs as sung by a Hupa medicine woman in her 70's are collected in this booklet. Songs are presented in Hupa and English on facing pages that are illustrated with pen and ink drawings. The four songs are "Flower Dance Song" and "Kick Dance Song" (both for traditional religious ceremonial…

The booklet provides instructions for five Romanian folk dances. The dances include: the "Hora," one of the oldest, most widely known dances; the "Invirtita" and the "Hategana," Transylvanian celebration dances; the "Sirba," popular in all regions of Romania; and the "Caluserul" (the "Leaping…

Presents guidelines for teaching students about African culture via dances and games and for developing related activities to expand student learning experiences. Student activity pages describe how to do the Ghana national dance and how to play Mankala, a popular African game. (SM)