The Art of Movement: A Musing on the Place of Dance in Schools
Dance, a universal language of movement and expression, has been an integral part of human societies for millennia. It both celebrates our shared experiences and highlights our diversity. Many argue that dance fosters creativity, improves physical health, and enhances social skills. Yet, despite these positives, there are compelling reasons to question whether dance should be taught in schools. Firstly, there's the issue of academic rigor. While dance can certainly be challenging, it lacks the intellectual demands of subjects like mathematics, science, or literature. These core subjects equip students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, necessary for the increasingly complex challenges of our world. Secondly, time and focus are finite resources in a school environment. Including dance in the curriculum often means taking time away from other subjects. This could potentially impact students' academic performance, especially those who are struggling in key areas. Lastly, there's the logistical and financial burden of providing dance classes. Dance studios, professional instructors, costumes, and music licenses all add up. Many schools, especially in lower-income districts, are already grappling with tight budgets. In conclusion, while the value of dance as an art form is undeniable, its place in the school curriculum is questionable. Schools should prioritize providing a robust education in core academic subjects, while encouraging students to explore their interest in dance outside the formal educational setting.
Question 1
What is a primary reason against teaching dance in schools mentioned in the text?
Dance is not a universal language
Dance does not foster creativity
Dance takes time away from core subjects
Dance improves physical health
Dance diminishes social skills
Question 2
What does 'academic rigor' mean in the context of this text?
The ability to dance well
The discipline of studying dance
The complexity of subjects like mathematics, science, or literature
The financial burden of providing dance classes
The celebration of shared experiences
Question 3
What are the schools advised to do regarding dance?
Make it a core subject
Ban it completely
Encourage students to explore their interest in dance outside the formal educational setting
Increase the time allocated for dance
Hire professional dance instructors
Question 4
Is the statement 'Including dance in the curriculum means taking time away from other subjects' true or false according to the text?
True
False
Not mentioned
It depends on the school's budget
It depends on the student's interest
Question 5
What is a logistical and financial burden that schools may face when providing dance classes?
The need to hire more security guards
The need to build more classrooms
The need to print more textbooks
The need to provide dance studios, professional instructors, costumes, and music licenses
The need to install high-tech computers
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Assign the ReadTheory pretest to determine students' reading levels.
