Sunday 25 March 2012

Deadlines!

With modules coming to end, I have loads of different deadlines to meet.  Having three pieces of coursework all due in the same week is hard work.  Its difficult having to switch between Artists in Education and Community Settings,  Movement Studies and Dance Analysis.  It always comes as a shock when we have this much written work to do because most of our time is spent in practical sessions.

Having this blog is really helping with my Movement Studies essay.  I've found it a lot easier to blog this year which is great when it comes to reflecting on what I've done.  I would have never guessed I'd actually enjoy having a blog!  I will definitely keep posting in future. 

Thursday 15 March 2012

My Movement Studies Aim

At the beginning of this term, Katye asked us to identify one thing that we would be working with during our Movement Studies 2 module.  The image below is from my journal (form 9th January 2012).  This has been my focus in each Movement Studies class.  Yesterday, in a Skinner Releasing class with Polly, I felt that the idea of finding space and opening the back and spine was really prominent in my movement.  The curling and uncurling exercises began opening the spaces of the back and the work we did with axis (imagining an axis running directly down the centre of the body) helped me explore the full range of movement of the spine.

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Placement Complete

This weekend I finished my placement with Jenna at Kenilworth Creative Dance.  I've really enjoyed my 5 weeks on placement and Jenna has said that I can continue with the classes next term.  

The first class has children between the ages of 2-5 years old and their parents.  The sessions are very creative and involve lots of storytelling.  These classes are so much fun and the children have a lot of say in what they want to do.  One participant made an 'Ideas Box' so the other children can submit ideas for future classes. 

The second class is for 5-7 year olds.  Most of the children in this class have some kind of disability and parents also take part.  This class can be more difficult at times.  It seems that there are good days where the children are very interested and keen to take part but there are also bad days when one or two children decide they do not want to be there so it can be struggle to make progress in the session.

I've loved every minute of my placement and it has most certainly reminded me why I want to be a community dance leader.