PE_Guidelines_english0

Approaches to dance
Ag baint taitnimh as damhsa traidisiúnta
In addition to the considerations for
planning the class programme outlined
on pp. 34–39 the following guide will
aid the planning process for dance:
• Consider the two aspects of dance
contained in the strand: folk dance
and creative dance.
• Consult the year plan and decide
how many units of work can be
developed for each of these aspects.
Folk dance
The following guide will aid the
planning of folk dance lessons:
• Select steps or movement patterns
which may be explored to develop
co-ordination.
• Select the dances to be developed
throughout the unit.
• Select the sections of a dance or
dances to be developed in each
lesson.
• Select the appropriate
accompaniment.
• Plan the understanding and
appreciation of folk dance to be
developed throughout the unit.
Exemplar 6 illustrates a Westphalian folk
dance ‘Come to Me’ which is suitable
for teaching to children in first or
second class or to introduce folk
dancing to older children.
Exemplar 7 illustrates a simple Irish
dance ‘An Damhsa Mór’ which
introduces children to some of the
basic steps of Irish dancing. It could be
performed by children from first to
sixth classes who are being introduced
to Irish dancing.
Exemplar 8 illustrates the Haymaker’s
Jig, an Irish dance suitable for fifth and
sixth classes who have some experience
of Irish dancing.
Approaches to dance
Physical Education Teacher Guidelines
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