Dance as a specialist teaching area is well embedded at Nundah State School. Every year in Term 4, students participate as an entire year level to learn new knowledge and skills and design their own group choreography. Students also learn a whole group dance that is presented at the annual Fancy Dress Ball.
In this learning area students explore the language of movement, using the body as an instrument of expression. Dance lessons progress steadily from week to week to teach students a variety of dance movements and techniques whilst developing overall fitness, core strength, flexibility, and spatial awareness.
It has been shown that dance can significantly enhance, deepen and increase learning in all of the other essential learning areas.
Dance curriculum (example)
Prep / Year 1 / Year 2
'Shape Dance / Cultural dance'
Students explore various ways of representing tactile experiences through movement and making shapes. They are introduced to the dance components of space (levels), time (slow and fast) and energy (high and low levels) as well as traditional dances from a range of cultures.
Year 3 / Year 4
'Dance Messages / Wildlife Watch'
Students create a performance using known stories and animals as reference. They perform their creation collaboratively for classmates then respond to and reflect on their dance.
Year 5 / Year 6
'Symmetry and Dance / Adventures in Dance'
Students will identify and explore through movement the dance elements of body awareness, space, time, energy and relationship. They will initiate and express dance ideas based on a variety of stimuli. Students will share dance through informal presentation and describe how dance expresses ideas and feelings.
Fancy Dress Ball
The conclusion to the dance learning each year is the highly anticipated Nundah State School Fancy Dress Ball. This is a longstanding tradition at Nundah, where we host an evening and each year level presents their cohort's dance routine to the other students and parents, followed by a fun-filled disco party!