Welcome to episode 158 of The PE Umbrella podcast, the ONLY dedicated Primary PE Podcast in the world!

Joining me Under the Umbrella this week, is former teacher and now dance educator for Motion Dance Initiative Jessica Livock.

During this episode, we dive headfirst into ALL things dance in the Primary School setting, from planning units to addressing misconceptions. In my experience, alongside gymnastics, Dance is the other piece of the PE curriculum that fills teachers with fear.  Less about safety and more about not knowing what to do and a fear of ‘looking silly’.  As a result, many schools dismiss dance altogether, or what I used to do, have it on a 2-year cycle with gymnastics (what was I thinking?).  This episode seeks to put all of those feelings and uncertainties at ease, as Jess talks us through some actionable tips and advice that can help us begin shaping Dance in our settings for the better. Feeling self-conscious about it?  We’ve all been there, but Jess puts our minds at ease and explains to us the true physical and wellbeing benefits that Dance can bring to our students and ourselves. Not only that, but Jess also shares with us:

• – What currently excites you about PE?
• – What misconceptions of Primary PE would you banish to room 101 given the chance?
• – What was your worst ever dance lesson and why?
• – What are the goals of a dance unit in KS1 & KS2 and what would we be expected to teach?

All of that plus the many rabbit holes we venture down, you’re sure to find some golden nuggets and knowledge bombs that you can take away and implement!

So what are you waiting for? Come on over and join us Under the PE Umbrella.

Then link to the Dance Progression Documents mentioned in this episode is below!

Articles mentioned in this episode:

One Dance UK and People Dancing – Our Vision: Reducing health inequalities and tackling inactivity through dance – https://www.onedanceuk.org/programme/dance-health-wellbeing/

Mindwise Innovations – Dancing and mental health https://www.mindwise.org/blog/mental-health/dancing-and-mental-health/

World Health Organisation- Can you dance your way to better health and well-being?  http://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/sections/press-releases/2019/can-you-dance-your-way-to-better-health-and-well-being-for-the-first-time,-who-studies-the-link-between-arts-and-health

Ofsted inspection handbook – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-inspection-handbook-eif

Tanssi liikuttaa research released by ArtsEqual research initiative and University of the Arts Helsinki policy brief via UKEDCHAT article Schoolchildren should dance more in schools, say researchers https://ukedchat.com/2019/02/19/dance-schools/

Contact:

Twitter – Motion_Dance_

Website – http://motiondanceinitiative.co.uk/

Don’t forget to subscribe to The PE Umbrella on Apple Podcasts by following the link above, as well as your other favourite podcast providers.  I would love for you to rate and review the show there, giving me insight into what I can do to further improve the quality of the show for you! Until next time though, have a great week motivating, engaging and inspiring the children that you teach, and I’ll see you soon, ‘Under the Umbrella’.