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Section 7: Annotated List of Resources for CSET: Dance

Introduction

This list identifies some resources that may help candidates prepare to take CSET: Dance. While not a substitute for coursework or other types of teacher preparation, these resources may enhance a candidate's knowledge of the content covered on the examination. The references listed are not intended to represent a comprehensive listing of all potential resources. Candidates are not expected to read all of the materials listed below, and passage of the examination will not require familiarity with these specific resources. A brief summary is provided for each reference cited.

Books

McCutcheon, Brenda Pugh. Teaching Dance as Art in Education. 2006. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

This book provides a detailed look at the philosophy of and strategies for teaching dance in public-school educational settings. Early chapters explore national standards for teaching dance, a teacher's role, and pedagogical concerns. The second section of the book presents dance knowledge content and skills with connections to national arts and dance education standards, along with approaches for teaching. A third section provides suggestions for imbedding dance in the general curriculum, connecting dance to other areas of study, and developing a dance curriculum, units, and lessons.

Clippinger, Karen. Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology. 2007. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

With a scientific perspective, this book presents content and skills related to anatomical and kinesiological knowledge that is important for dancers' effective and safe learning and performance. Arranged in chapters dedicated to individual body parts, the text includes descriptions of joint structure, key muscles, common alignment problems, joint mechanics, and movement analysis. Chapters include suggestions for strength and flexibility exercises.

Quin, Edel, Sonia Rafferty, and Charlotte Tomlinson. Safe Dance Practice. 2015. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

This book provides evidence-based guidelines and principles for informing and supporting dance practitioners in safe and effective movement practices. Topics include the physical environment, alignment, movement, and training principles and practices, nutrition, psychological well-being, and injury awareness and management.

Smith-Autard, Jacqueline M. Dance Composition Basics. 2004. 5th edition. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd.

This book is a guide for developing choreography. Chapters examine the basic elements and principles of dance composition and provide suggestions for forming and designing expressive movement.

Minton, Sandra Cerny. Choreography: A Basic Approach Using Improvisation. 2018. 4th edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Beginning with a chapter on the use of improvisation in dance making, this book goes on to explain principles, practices, and goals important to the craft of choreography. It concludes with a chapter explaining processes involved in staging a dance for performance.

Ambrosio, Nora. Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment. 2018. 8th edition. Dubuque, IA. Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

This book provides an overview of the world of dance. The first two parts explore the use of dance as art through history, the roles of participants in dance, and history and characteristics of major genres of dance. The fourth part considers practices important to dance production and presentation and connections of dance to education and career choices.

Lihs, Harriet R. Appreciating Dance: A Guide to the World's Liveliest Art. 4th edition. 2009. Highstown, NJ. Princeton Book Company, Publishers.

This book offers an overview of history, context, and practices related to major global forms of dance. Chapters on religion and dance and social dance are followed by three chapters presenting forms of concert dance and a chapter that considers careers in dance.

Kassing, Gayle. History of Dance: An Interactive Arts Approach. 2007. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

This book provides an overview of dance in western societies from prehistory to the present. Part I discusses approaches to studying dance. Part II explores early dance history in ancient civilizations. Parts III and IV explore dance from the Renaissance era through the nineteenth century and twentieth-century American dance.

Nadel, Myron Howard, and Marc Raymond Strauss. The Dance Experience: Insights into History, Culture, and Creativity. 2nd edition. 2003. Highstown, NJ. Princeton Book Company, Publishers.

Offering a global look at dance, this book contains 22 essays that consider a variety of dance styles from historical and cultural perspectives. It explores history, evolution, and significance of dance in culture, its relationship to other arts forms, and contributions of significant artists. In two sections, it looks at the diversity of the dance world and provides insights into teaching, critiquing, and the craft of dance.

Online Resources

https://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/sites/default/files/CoreContentVocabulary-Arts%26Humanities-Middle.pdf  opens in a new window

This site provides a glossary of terms important to the study and understanding of dance.

http://artsalive.ca/en/dan/  opens in a new window

This site provides essays and discussions on a range of dance-related topics, including dance forms and purposes, anatomy, dance making, and careers.

https://qcc.libguides.com/c.php?g=818979&p=6267812  opens in a new window

This site provides a short overview of major global forms of dance.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zc6mtyc/revision/5  opens in a new window

This site provides a discussion of essential skills and techniques for performing in dance.

https://artsintegration.com/?s=dance  opens in a new window

This site provides resources and lesson plans for dance learning, includes links to additional dance information resources.

https://www.contemporary-dance.org  opens in a new window

This site provides a range of information related to contemporary dance, including essays on historical topics, developing choreography, movement techniques, anatomy, and nutrition.

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/collections/collections/dance/  opens in a new window

This site provides resources on understanding and teaching a range of dance-related topics.


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