TDfU Model – Guiding Principles

Learner-centered

The objective is to motivate students through positive experiences with dance as a physical activity, which leads to increased confidence and curiosity in learning about dance. A learner-centered approach allows teachers to focus on student success as well as draw from their interests when developing a curriculum plan.

Foundational

Students have to learn their ABCs before they can read or write. With dance, they have to develop foundational movement skills, an ability to hear music and a personal sense of confidence in order to be able to express their thoughts and feelings through dance. The TDfU Model allows teachers to purposefully plan activities and experiences that allow students to develop a movement vocabulary and gain positive experiences through dance.

Inquiry-based

Throughout the experiential learning process, self-reflection and instructor-led inquiry students can process and integrate their understanding of the Elements of Dance and how they can be applied to the creation and co-creation of a dance routine or performance.