NDW ACADEMIC PROJECT

National Dance Week’s Academic Project

     As a part of the on-going efforts of the National Dance Week campaign, the Academic Project was conceived as a vehicle by which dance could be more evidenced and incorporated into the American academic classroom. This is a program whereby the teacher of any and all academic subjects may present a project within their syllabi which allows for one of two explorations. By becoming an Academic Regional Director Counselor, the instructor may oversee the work of students who commit to becoming Student Regional Directors within their school environment. Campaigns may then be planned and mounted to join in the nationwide celebration of National Dance Week, with the types of programs to be scheduled limited only by the creative imagination and efforts of the students themselves.

     This project need not be confined to the school grounds. In the absence of another local Regional Director, the students may take their planned celebrations into their community as a broadened arena for their events. A second venue by which the NDW Academic Project can be of value to the academic teacher is the incorporation of dance into any other subject of the academic curriculum. Sample lesson plans are available by which subjects as diverse as mathematics, grammar, science or literature may be taught utilizing differing aspects of dance. These have been classroom tested and proven as successful and innovative endeavors and offer the educator a novel and interesting alternative to traditional teaching methods while raising the student and public awareness to the benefits of dance as an art form in our society. They are adaptable to any grade level and are open to refinement according to the wishes of the individual instructors.

     All inquiries and/or commitments regarding the Academic Project for National Dance Week are to be sent to the Executive Director, Patricia Goulding, at 142 Parkedge Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 (inquiries may also be sent email to: ndw@udma.org). Once commitment forms are received a packet is then sent out which contains the sample lesson plans as well as a Delegates’ Handbook.

Professional Representative, Jennifer Kirsch, from Pittsburgh, PA, is developing a Training Program for NDW Delegates as a part of her studies in the Masters degree program at Duquesne University. Once finished, she will be able to conduct training sessions on the Internet for all NDW delegates through Workshops, Seminars and Chat Rooms. All levels of delegates will be welcome and invited to participate with the more experienced being able to offer valuable guidance and advice to the newcomers to the ranks. A major effort will be exerted to encompass one and all facets of our endeavors in this new aspect of NDW and we expect it will be the answer to the long hoped for national meetings for our delegates. For information or interest in becoming a part of this program, refer to Ms Kirsch's e-mail address on the listing of the NDW Delegates under the state of Pennsylvania.

TEACHERS!

Are you looking for a New Project for Your Students?
Is your own schedule too full to develop a new program?
WE MAY HAVE A SOLUTION FOR YOUR PROBLEM!

As a part of NATIONAL DANCE WEEK, we are offering a unique program to the
Academic Community wherein teachers could mentor their students who would hold positions as Student Regional Directors and conduct NDW campaigns either in their local communities or on their individual campuses. This could allow for a strong learning experience in leadership, organization, choreography, direction and production and, at the same time, would be offering a tremendous support for the growing movement across the United States to recognize and acknowledge the Art of Dance! Most students would be more than happy to add such an impressive position to their resume and could benefit greatly from the opportunity to present their chosen field to the general public! This is also an excellent vehicle for community service hours

HOW A TEACHER MAY BECOME AN "ACADEMIC SPONSOR"
THROUGH NATIONAL DANCE WEEK

• Include Student RD program as a Course Project suggestion or all-school activity
• Identify students who are focused, capable of leadership roles and demonstrates dependability
• Consume a limited amount of time for guidance
• Have a desire to see public awareness raised concerning Arts Education in the academic curriculum.
• Have a willingness to assist the National Dance Week's efforts and programs.

5 EASY STEPS TO BECOME PART OF THE
TEACHER'S ACADEMIC SPONSOR PROGRAM

1. Present proposal of Student Regional Director program to class for consideration as Class Project.
2. Form NDW Committee of students who will then elect one of their own to act as Regional Director.
3. Submit Commitment Form and optional donation to NDW Committee and National Chair for Regional Directors.
4. Distribute Regional Director Handbook, Success Kit and data to NDW Student Committee members.
5. Supervise and assist NDW Student Committee and Student Regional Director as needed through and to completion of campaign.
6. Take a Sponsor's Bow and add to your own resume.

STUDENTS!

Are you looking for a New Project for Your CLASSES or CAMPUS?
Is your own schedule too full to develop a new program?
WE MAY HAVE A SOLUTION FOR YOUR PROBLEM!

As a part of NATIONAL DANCE WEEK, we are offering a unique program known as the Community Project wherein students may hold positions as Student Regional Directors under the sponsorship of their instructors and conduct NDW campaigns either in their local communities or on their individual campuses. This could allow for a strong learning experience in leadership, organization, choreography, direction and production and, at the same time, would be offering a tremendous support for the growing movement across the United States to recognize and acknowledge the Art of Dance! Most students would be happy to add such an impressive position to their resume and could benefit greatly from the opportunity to present their chosen field to the general public! This is also an excellent vehicle for community service hours.

STUDENT REGIONAL DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Recruit teachers, dancers, mentors, all interested people into organizing and conducting varied events to celebrate National Dance Week.
2. Act as advisor to those who need guidance and advice in conducting individual events.
3. Supply suggestions and support to those who wish to undertake events.
4. Amas signatures for petition to attain official proclamation of NDW.
5. Work to attain state proclamation for National Dance Week from state governor's office.
6. Build a basis for future years' celebratory events.
7. Network with peers and public to better establish recognition of NDW.
8. Publicize events relating to National Dance Week.
9. Enlist others to form a regional committee so that none have an overload of work to undertake.
10. Provide enthusiasm and motivation to others to become more deeply involved in the goals of National Dance Week. Educate public concerning dance as an art form as well as a vehicle for awareness, learning, expression and creativity.

NATIONAL DANCE WEEK TRIVIA

National Dance Week is always held during the week which includes April 29th, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, the honored dancer, choreographer, ballet master and dance theorist born in Paris in 1727.

• National Dance Week is underwritten and sponsored by the United Dance Merchants of America.
• The goal of National Dance Week is to raise public awareness to the benefits of dance in our society and to establish its validity as a learning mechanism, creative art form, means of communication and form of creative expression as well as a performing art.
• National Dance Week has long been a "grass roots" effort with programs sponsored by the National Dance Association, Dance Magazine, Capezio, Dance Teacher Magazine, and the Bay Area Coalition for National Dance Week, all predecesors to that which is now undertaken and sponsored by the UDMA.

SUGGESTED NATIONAL DANCE WEEK ACTIVITIES

• Poster and literary arts contests
• Community parades
• Public demonstrations of dance classes/performances
• Public participation classes on community scale
• Retail stores window displays
• School and community groups lectures on history of dance
• Workshops, master classes
• Gift certificates to parents of children born during NDW
• Banners announcing National Dance Week and festivities
• Open house for studios
• Community service programs
• Dance-a-thons
• Free dance classes to community
• T-shirts, butons as fundraiser sales or giveaways
• Studio parties
• Shopping mall hand-outs of informational literature on dance
• Video presentations of dance-related subjects
• Publicity releases in area communications media
• Celebrity endorsement of National Dance Week through public statement or personal appearances
• Official state and national designation and proclamation of National Dance Week

APRIL 25 - MAY 4, 2008
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