Teaching Dance to Educable Mentally Retarded Adolescents: A Curriculum Guide for Educators and Recreators

The manual describes activities designed to teach dance to adolescents with mild mental retardation. It is explained that the manual can be used in a sequential 25-week course in a mini-approach, or as a special event or performance guide. Expected outcomes are considered, including increased self-confidence, improved peer cooperation, and increased independence. The bulk of the manual is composed of 30 activity lessons which include information on goals and objectives, tasks, organization, and teaching emphasis. Activities are grouped into five units: movement orientation, movement exploration, dance foundations, rhythms, and dances. Also included are provisions for evaluation of student progress at the conclusion of each unit. Evaluation forms are provided, as is an assessment evaluation instrument for pre- and post-testing. (CL)