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K-6 dance overview

The Dance strand of the NSW Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus has three practices: performing, composing and appreciating. This page provides an overview of the practices and creating a dance culture in primary schools.

Performing in dance Performing in dance involves developing skills and understanding of how your body moves.This study incorporates an understanding of safe dance practice. Students develop the ability perform a range of body skills and to use movement as a means to communicate ideas, feelings and moods.
	Composing in dance Composing in dance involves students developing an understanding of intention - why people dance, what a dance is about and what effect a dance may create. In composing, students respond to a stimulus, such as movement itself, poems, stories, visual images, events, issues and music. They use the elements of dance to create and structure movement to communicate feelings and ideas.
Appreciating in dance Students should be provided with a variety of learning experiences to develop the ability to make informed judgements about the dance they perform or compose, and about dances created by others. Through appreciation, students value the diverse ways in which dance is composed and performed.

Developing a dance culture in primary schools

Through sequenced dance activities students will gain increasing understanding and accomplishment in dance and and will learn to appreciate the meanings and values that dance offers personally, culturally and as a form of communication.

Dance is a unique medium for learning and addresses a range of learning styles.

Dance provides opportunities for students to express their feelings, moods and ideas symbolically through movement. It provides opportunities for personal expression and enjoyment.

Dance is a way of knowing about oneself, other people and the world, and is a means of confirming cultural identity.

Students learn to value dance as a form of cultural expression related to cultural understanding, tradition, location, gender, social and technological issues.