Oriental Dance Curriculum

The art of Oriental dance may be complex. Teaching it should not be. Teaching belly dance can be one of the most rewarding and exciting journeys in your life. However, the constant demand of coming up with new and interesting class content can suck the joy out of teaching. Worse, is seeing your students frustrated with their own progress. There are some resources on “how to teach”, but not “what to teach.” Until now, there has never been a cohesive widely used curriculum in the field. Until now, belly dance teachers had to beg, borrow and steal, or create their own after years of trial and error. Katayoun has developed her format over the past 15 years. Now she shares her tried and tested methodology with you. This complete belly dance curriculum guide will help you take the complexity out of teaching and put creativity in. -Movement Vocabulary: A foundational movement vocabulary incorporating all the basics is detailed. Dancers of all levels must master the unique and universal elements of dance, in order to build their skills. -Thematic Units & Lesson Plans: Lessons are compiled in units that explore a different theme each session to add variety, while continually refining and building on the basics. Lesson plans are outlined in an intuitive and visually pleasing format. -Build-Up Method of Creating Combinations: Instead of breaking-down movements, build them up instead with a more positive and versatile approach with infinite possibilities using the Build-Up Method. -Layering Method of Teaching: Allow students to develop skills at their own pace, while exploring aesthetics, musicality and expression through the vertical and horizontal layers of learning. -Class Structure, Sequence & Pace: An outline of how to effectively use class time is detailed step-by-step along with suggested music playlists for each lesson. -Rubrics of Skills & Standards: Skills and standards of learning are detailed at various levels of experience. Each unit includes rubrics to help evaluate students. -Teaching Tips: At the end of each lesson, a gold nugget of teaching advice is offered to support you in your goals and pursuing your passion. Resources of supporting and background material corresponding to each thematic unit are listed at the end of the book. As a qualified belly dance instructor, you have the opportunity to offer a life-changing experience. Teaching belly dance is a calling that requires more than passion. It requires dedication, experience and education to build your confidence. Imagine yourself as a successful teacher with lots of happy students. That is the first step. The next step is getting the training and tools you need to succeed in your passion. Using the guidance, tools and tips in this book, you and your students have the potential to thrive and soar in all of your dance endeavors for years to come.