BalletBoyz leads the field in using digital technology in its output and to disseminate it to wider audiences, this expertise, in partnership with LGfL has resulted in a range of content to aid the delivery of dance in schools in London.
The purpose of the content is to enable London teachers to access high-quality digital dance resources to assist and enhance their teaching. This unique online resource provides tailor made resources to support both the specialist and non-specialist teachers deliver dance at Key Stages 2-4. All the lessons are mapped to the National curriculum and a curriculum mapping document can be downloaded from the site to enable teachers to plan effectively.
Resources for the curriculum lessons consist of short expert videos with voiceovers featuring company dancers as they break down moves, brilliant for introducing the moves to students and acting as an inspiration. The moves are then broken down into a series of short tasks, again all explained via video and voice over and finally students are shown how to join them together in sequences. Detailed lesson plans are also provided for teachers explaining how to use the videos.
There are five lesson plans for KS2, K23 and KS4, which can either be used as stand-alone lessons linking to topics e.g. caves and jungles in KS2 linking to the rainforest, or can be used to make up a half terms dance programme for the students.
Introduction videos to the all the units are available for teachers to gain an overview as well as case studies from schools to show the impact that BalletBoyz has had within their schools and how they have used it, an example from KS2 can be seen below:
Inspiration clips are also included from the BalletBoyz company repertoire to further encourage and inspire teachers and students alike.
BalletBoyz are currently crowdfunding to support the partnership with Strathmore school, their local secondary school for students with complex learning difficulties. They have seen the impact that their involvement has had on the students including increased independence, confidence and well-being as well as the students' increased confidence in communicating and forming relationships with new people. You can find out more about the Dance Together crowd funder project here: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/dancetogether
If you have used BalletBoyz in your classroom we would love to hear from you, let us know using the hashtag #spotlight #BalletBoyz on LGfL’s twitter or Facebook