Dancing at My Desk: Utilizing Dance in Integrated Arts Curriculum for the Classroom

This proposal supports and describes a project regarding the research and analysis of dance-based, integrated arts curriculum in the classroom. Though normally categorized as a “specialized” form of teaching, dancing in the classroom has proved to be beneficial in students’ cognitive and physical development. This study examines the use of dance-based, integrated arts lessons as the foundation for all learning through a four-week long dance education summer program that will take place in a combined studio and traditional classroom environment. I will analyze the results of this project by comparing students’ understanding of the material taught solely in this style to their understanding of the same material that was taught through current, standard teaching practices