Creative Dance for All Ages: A Conceptual Approach (Paperback)

~ (Author), Helen P. Smith (Photographer)

Product Details

• Paperback: 386 pages
• Publisher: Amer Alliance for Health Physical (November 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883145324
• ISBN-13: 978-0883145326
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #196,393 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A complete guide to teaching creative dance, January 28, 1999

By A Customer

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in teaching creative dance, whether you have dance experience yourself or not. The book provides a thorough overview of what creative dance is and how to teach it. There are hundreds of dance exercises included, as well as sample lesson plans and useful suggestions for how to structure your classes. As a dance teacher, I have found this book to be the most helpful I've encountered -- I use it constantly!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A recipe book for classroom teachers of creative dance, September 14, 2002

By	Tamara Bliss (Edmonton, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

This book is the most practical one for teachers of creative dance in the classroom, although it is much more than a classroom tool. "Creative Dance for All Ages" is easy to read, simple to grasp and the lessons almost teach themselves. Gilbert starts you from the basics of movement using vocabulary and concepts simplified from Rudolph von Laban's work in movement analysis. Her methods are generous and joyful, reflecting her passion for giving children (and adults) the experience of dance without fear or feeling threatened. Each chapter focuses on one of the elements of dance (and movement) providing multiple choices for activities in each of her lesson plan components. Her basic lesson plan is sound and safe, divided into 5 main components and progressing from (1) Introduction and warm-up using the dance element, (2) exploring the element, (3) developing dance skills, (4) creating with the element explored and (5) cooling down.
If you are a teacher of dance or a teacher in the school system, you will find this book invaluable! Many lesson plans are already laid out for you. Most may be adapted to expand student learning in the academic curriculum. This book is also great for dancers looking to expand their compositional approach. Every teacher will want a copy ready at their teaching fingertips.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must for Every Teacher, October 15, 2009

By	Cynthia Tosh - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been teaching ballet for many years and have never come across a curriculum like this for an introduction to dance. The book is well written providing you with a clear outline of concepts that are introduced and layered upon through out the year according to what age group you are teaching. It provides examples of class planning, music and props. It is very clear on body alignment, strength and capabilities of the developing child as to not cause harm to their young bodies. [[ASIN:0883145324 Creative Dance for All Ages: A Conceptual Approach] is a must for any school of dance and anyone who teaches young children. The children love the class and the time flies leaving them with wanting more!