ACTIVITY SHORT DESCRIPTION:
I will be taking modern dance classes in the sports center Fadura every Tuesday and Thursday from October to June. It is going to be my third year dancing and I really love it. In class we do various activities including simple warm-up choreographies, stretching, strength and resistance exercises, dance skills practice and also learn three choreographies, in different music styles, to perform in May and June.
As well as the dance class itself, this activity includes my cycling to Fadura. I added this on the third week of class, deciding it was wrong to be driven to the local sports centre when I could be cycling, reducing my carbon footprint and contributing to the sustainability of a natural environment. It is also a great added workout, around 25 minutes more of exercise.
PREDICTED LENGTH OF ACTIVITY
The one hour classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday for 9 months (October to June). Occasionally, when the performance is approaching, we add an extra half an hour onto the classes.
CAS ELEMENTS INVOLVED
PERSONAL GOALS FOR THE ACTIVITY:
In the first place, one of my goals for this activity is the learning of the dances. Our dance teacher choreographs two or three dances per year. The first is usually a hip-hop or pop style song and the dance type is “danza moderna”, or modern dance, which is influenced by hip hop; the second tends to be a slower song with the so-called “danza lirica”, which combines elements of jazz and ballet and emphasizes expression and control; the third is a more simple choreography that we do together with the younger age dance group. From other years I realized that although I have a lot of control in the lirico style, I struggled in keeping up with the speed of the modern style. My goal is to learn the dances really well, so that I can work on speed and expression.
Second main goal:
My second main goal for this year is to improve my flexibility, and hopefully be able to do the splits. Last year I pulled a muscle at the beginning of the year, so had to go much more slowly with flexibility training, and didn’t become as flexible as I would have liked to. I did manage to just touch the ground by doing a right leg split, but after the whole summer holidays not doing any flexibility training, I have lost it. So, I hope to touch the ground entirely when doing the right leg split. I also hope to get much lower and possibly touch the ground a bit with the left leg split. Finally, for the so-called “frontal”, or middle split, I don’t expect to reach the ground, but I do hope to get about halfway lower than I could last year.
I hope to reach my goal of moving as fast as all the other dancers by practicing as much as I can. At first I will concentrate on learning all of the movements correctly and precisely, but then make sure I do them energetically and fast.
Second main goal:
Part of our warm-up choreography includes stretching, so I will be putting in maximum effort there, although being careful not to injure myself. We do some stretching each dance class, but I will try to do some at home as well.
I will know I have kept up the right speed by managing to do the right movements in time with the music and the other girls. Also, our teacher often gives us feedback, so I will know by her comments if I am being energetic enough. Once we have learnt a significant part of the choreography, we video ourselves dancing, so by watching that video I will have a really good idea of how well I execute the movements.
Second main goal:
I will know I have achieved my goal when I do the three splits in class in front of the mirror and see how low down I can go.
ANTICIPATED LEARNING OUTCOMES:
I will be taking modern dance classes in the sports center Fadura every Tuesday and Thursday from October to June. It is going to be my third year dancing and I really love it. In class we do various activities including simple warm-up choreographies, stretching, strength and resistance exercises, dance skills practice and also learn three choreographies, in different music styles, to perform in May and June.
As well as the dance class itself, this activity includes my cycling to Fadura. I added this on the third week of class, deciding it was wrong to be driven to the local sports centre when I could be cycling, reducing my carbon footprint and contributing to the sustainability of a natural environment. It is also a great added workout, around 25 minutes more of exercise.
PREDICTED LENGTH OF ACTIVITY
The one hour classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday for 9 months (October to June). Occasionally, when the performance is approaching, we add an extra half an hour onto the classes.
CAS ELEMENTS INVOLVED
- ACTIVITY
PERSONAL GOALS FOR THE ACTIVITY:
- What do I hope to accomplish?
In the first place, one of my goals for this activity is the learning of the dances. Our dance teacher choreographs two or three dances per year. The first is usually a hip-hop or pop style song and the dance type is “danza moderna”, or modern dance, which is influenced by hip hop; the second tends to be a slower song with the so-called “danza lirica”, which combines elements of jazz and ballet and emphasizes expression and control; the third is a more simple choreography that we do together with the younger age dance group. From other years I realized that although I have a lot of control in the lirico style, I struggled in keeping up with the speed of the modern style. My goal is to learn the dances really well, so that I can work on speed and expression.
Second main goal:
My second main goal for this year is to improve my flexibility, and hopefully be able to do the splits. Last year I pulled a muscle at the beginning of the year, so had to go much more slowly with flexibility training, and didn’t become as flexible as I would have liked to. I did manage to just touch the ground by doing a right leg split, but after the whole summer holidays not doing any flexibility training, I have lost it. So, I hope to touch the ground entirely when doing the right leg split. I also hope to get much lower and possibly touch the ground a bit with the left leg split. Finally, for the so-called “frontal”, or middle split, I don’t expect to reach the ground, but I do hope to get about halfway lower than I could last year.
- How does what I'm doing help to accomplish the stated objectives?
I hope to reach my goal of moving as fast as all the other dancers by practicing as much as I can. At first I will concentrate on learning all of the movements correctly and precisely, but then make sure I do them energetically and fast.
Second main goal:
Part of our warm-up choreography includes stretching, so I will be putting in maximum effort there, although being careful not to injure myself. We do some stretching each dance class, but I will try to do some at home as well.
- How will I know if I've achieved my objectives or not?
I will know I have kept up the right speed by managing to do the right movements in time with the music and the other girls. Also, our teacher often gives us feedback, so I will know by her comments if I am being energetic enough. Once we have learnt a significant part of the choreography, we video ourselves dancing, so by watching that video I will have a really good idea of how well I execute the movements.
Second main goal:
I will know I have achieved my goal when I do the three splits in class in front of the mirror and see how low down I can go.
ANTICIPATED LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- (Learning outcome #1): Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
- Dance is an activity that has many different aspects to it and requires many skills, including flexibility, speed, coordination, memory, sense of rhythm, strength, resistance, balance and motivation. I know from my previous years that I am stronger in some areas than in others. Still, this is a new year and depending on the amount of work we put in for developing each skill in each class I will be improving more in different aspects. I have already identified two of my areas for growth and improvement (energeticness/speed, and flexibility) and have set personal goals for bettering those skills. Throughout the 9 months I will continue identifying my areas of strength and do my best to improve in areas that I struggle with.
- (Learning outcome #2): Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
- My teacher choreographs more challenging dances each year, inserting new elements and movements. Each of these new dance skills will be challenging, but “practice makes perfect” so hopefully by June I will be able to perform the new dance movements and skills very well. Furthermore, it is not only the actual choreographies that are challenging, but all the exercises for strength, resistance and flexibility as well. I am already quite strong and resistant in sport, but flexibility is a challenge for me. It is part of my personal goals too, so I will work to overcome the challenges and achieve the skill of doing the splits.
- (Learning outcome #7): Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions (ADDED ON WEEK THREE)
- I decided to switch from being driven to the sports center for class by my parents to cycling there myself. In this way I considered the ethics of contributing to the sustainability of a natural environment and reducing my carbon footprint.
REFLECTIONS:
BEFORE (Mon 3 October 2016)
I will be starting dance classes tomorrow and am really looking forward to it. I really love dancing and often have music on at home. Throughout the summer I danced at home for fun, and at parties, and did a bit of flexibility work in July. However, I haven't done any proper elasticity work or choreographed dancing since our last class in June, so I am a bit worried that I lost some skill. Still, I am sure that it will be fun to start classes again. No matter how much homework I have or how stressed I am, going to dance always leaves me somehow feeling both energised and relaxed, which is a great feeling.
I will be starting dance classes tomorrow and am really looking forward to it. I really love dancing and often have music on at home. Throughout the summer I danced at home for fun, and at parties, and did a bit of flexibility work in July. However, I haven't done any proper elasticity work or choreographed dancing since our last class in June, so I am a bit worried that I lost some skill. Still, I am sure that it will be fun to start classes again. No matter how much homework I have or how stressed I am, going to dance always leaves me somehow feeling both energised and relaxed, which is a great feeling.
WEEK ONE: Tues 4 and Thurs 6 October 2016
My first week is complete, and I can really feel it in my muscles! The first day it seemed I had no flexibility at all, but as we warmed up i loosened a bit. On the second day I did get closer to what I could reach last year. For the first two days I am quite pleased, considering it has been so long. Also, I didn't over stretch to not injure myself.
In terms of the choreography, I enjoy the warm-up dance. The song has good rhythm and teh movements help but strength and flexibility. It is a bit faster and more demanding than last year's warm-up choreography, and I think that is great as I will improve at a faster rate.
On the other hand, I am not really enjoying the actual choreography. It is the lirico dance style which I love, but it is the song that I honestly do not like at all. The song is called "Ganamos" by Bebe, a Spanish singer actually called María Nieves Rebolledo Vila. It could be said that it is a beautiful song, but at the moment I do not enjoy dancing to it. The rhythm is irregular and there are many silences. This makes timing and coordination tricky, as our teacher has choreographed it according to the lyrics rather than timing it in 8 counts like other times. I am not that satisfied with these two first days, but I hope that with time I will enjoy the song. On the bright side, it has made my second learning outcome even more meaningful, as it is a challenge for me to dance to a song with irregular rhythm and that I don't truly like. I will try to adapt to this type of song and dance and do my best to make the most of it and develop that new skill.
My first week is complete, and I can really feel it in my muscles! The first day it seemed I had no flexibility at all, but as we warmed up i loosened a bit. On the second day I did get closer to what I could reach last year. For the first two days I am quite pleased, considering it has been so long. Also, I didn't over stretch to not injure myself.
In terms of the choreography, I enjoy the warm-up dance. The song has good rhythm and teh movements help but strength and flexibility. It is a bit faster and more demanding than last year's warm-up choreography, and I think that is great as I will improve at a faster rate.
On the other hand, I am not really enjoying the actual choreography. It is the lirico dance style which I love, but it is the song that I honestly do not like at all. The song is called "Ganamos" by Bebe, a Spanish singer actually called María Nieves Rebolledo Vila. It could be said that it is a beautiful song, but at the moment I do not enjoy dancing to it. The rhythm is irregular and there are many silences. This makes timing and coordination tricky, as our teacher has choreographed it according to the lyrics rather than timing it in 8 counts like other times. I am not that satisfied with these two first days, but I hope that with time I will enjoy the song. On the bright side, it has made my second learning outcome even more meaningful, as it is a challenge for me to dance to a song with irregular rhythm and that I don't truly like. I will try to adapt to this type of song and dance and do my best to make the most of it and develop that new skill.
WEEK TWO: Tues 11 and Thurs 13 October 2016
Week two and I still don't like the song! Well, actually, I am getting more used to it. I am trying to focus more on the music and how each move is connected to it rather than the song as a whole, and that helps me enjoy the dance more.
As for my personal goals, my flexibility is a bit better than last week's, so I am pleased with that. The choreography is still challenging for me, and I haven't yet learnt it that well. Currently I am concentrating more on learning each move perfectly before I work on expression and speed.
I have encountered an unforeseen problem, and that is that the dance has a move that is very rough on the knees and I got a huge bruise on my left knee. In addition, my knees have been hurting. To solve this, I will be buying kneepads, which other girls have and the teacher recommends. with these I will hopefully dance more comfortably and avoid injuring myself.
Week two and I still don't like the song! Well, actually, I am getting more used to it. I am trying to focus more on the music and how each move is connected to it rather than the song as a whole, and that helps me enjoy the dance more.
As for my personal goals, my flexibility is a bit better than last week's, so I am pleased with that. The choreography is still challenging for me, and I haven't yet learnt it that well. Currently I am concentrating more on learning each move perfectly before I work on expression and speed.
I have encountered an unforeseen problem, and that is that the dance has a move that is very rough on the knees and I got a huge bruise on my left knee. In addition, my knees have been hurting. To solve this, I will be buying kneepads, which other girls have and the teacher recommends. with these I will hopefully dance more comfortably and avoid injuring myself.
WEEK THREE: Tues 18 and Thurs 20 October 2016
I wasn't able to buy the knee pads until after class on Tuesday, so on that day I didn't perform the painful move properly. Then, on Thursday, I finally had the knee pads -- what a difference! It has made is so much more comfortable for me to dance, and I will no longer get bruises on my knees.
This Thursday I added on a new learning outcome: "Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions". Normally this learning outcome would not fit with dance classes, but this week I decided to switch from driving to cycling on my way to Fadura, the sports center where I take my classes. The first two weeks of classes my parents were driving my there when they got home, around 7:15, so I would get there 5 or 10 minutes early to begin warming up. This worked well for me because I could get there quickly and comfortably. However, it is a 3.4km trip either way, totalling 13.6km per day, which is 27.2km a week, that could avoid. So, I decided to cycle there. The cycle route I take is 3.7km long, and it takes me around 15 minutes because there are a lot of hills. Still, it is well worth it as I get plenty of fresh air, exercise and I am making the ethical decision to contribute to a sustainable natural environment.
I wasn't able to buy the knee pads until after class on Tuesday, so on that day I didn't perform the painful move properly. Then, on Thursday, I finally had the knee pads -- what a difference! It has made is so much more comfortable for me to dance, and I will no longer get bruises on my knees.
This Thursday I added on a new learning outcome: "Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions". Normally this learning outcome would not fit with dance classes, but this week I decided to switch from driving to cycling on my way to Fadura, the sports center where I take my classes. The first two weeks of classes my parents were driving my there when they got home, around 7:15, so I would get there 5 or 10 minutes early to begin warming up. This worked well for me because I could get there quickly and comfortably. However, it is a 3.4km trip either way, totalling 13.6km per day, which is 27.2km a week, that could avoid. So, I decided to cycle there. The cycle route I take is 3.7km long, and it takes me around 15 minutes because there are a lot of hills. Still, it is well worth it as I get plenty of fresh air, exercise and I am making the ethical decision to contribute to a sustainable natural environment.
WEEK FOUR: Tues 25 and Thurs 27 October 201b
I am really enjoying the rides to Fadura by bicycle. I feel really energised when I cycle, and love the feeling of the cold air and wind through my hair. The only downside is I arrive at Fadura already rather tired and hot. Still, it doesn't tire me so much that I cannot dance as well - it is more like a warm-up than a workout. Combined with the dance class, though, I get plenty of activity done.
The dance is progressing quite nicely. The more I practice the easier it gets, and little by little I am internalising the movements. On the other hand, a new problem is arising for me. In our class there are two girls who are particularly advanced, as they are older and have been dancing for around 12 years. I have been dancing with them and others for three years, and it has alwas quite obviously shown favouritism towards them. It has always annoyed me a bit, but I managed to overlook it, and just enjoy the dancing. This year it has gotten to such a point that I find it almost laughable: the choreography is basically a duet with the rest of us just there as a sort of decoration on the sides and in the back. This has become increasingly frustrating over these first four weeks. However, I have decided to ignore this blatant favoritism and just do my best wherever I am put.
I am really enjoying the rides to Fadura by bicycle. I feel really energised when I cycle, and love the feeling of the cold air and wind through my hair. The only downside is I arrive at Fadura already rather tired and hot. Still, it doesn't tire me so much that I cannot dance as well - it is more like a warm-up than a workout. Combined with the dance class, though, I get plenty of activity done.
The dance is progressing quite nicely. The more I practice the easier it gets, and little by little I am internalising the movements. On the other hand, a new problem is arising for me. In our class there are two girls who are particularly advanced, as they are older and have been dancing for around 12 years. I have been dancing with them and others for three years, and it has alwas quite obviously shown favouritism towards them. It has always annoyed me a bit, but I managed to overlook it, and just enjoy the dancing. This year it has gotten to such a point that I find it almost laughable: the choreography is basically a duet with the rest of us just there as a sort of decoration on the sides and in the back. This has become increasingly frustrating over these first four weeks. However, I have decided to ignore this blatant favoritism and just do my best wherever I am put.
WEEK FIVE: Thurs 3 November 2016
This week I changed my bicycle route, as the days have become much shorter since the clocks changed, and part of the route I have been taking has no street lights and passes through a place with no people, so it can be dangerous in the dark, even though my bike has small lights. I changed to a route more similar to the one that cars would take, which is actually shorter, approximately 2.9km, and taked me between 10 and 12 minutes. I am very happy with the change as it is faster and safer. The only reason I initially chose the other route was that tghis one is on the bicycle track (called bidegorri here) right next to the road, so I woudl be cycling next to cars the whole time, as opposed to in more natural surroundings. Nevertheless, this is a very open, quite suburban area, with lots of trees, and not that many cars, so pollution is not really a worry - especially opposed to having an accident on a dark road with no one to help me.
There was no dance class on Tuesday this week, as the 1st of November is a national holiday. Thursday was relatively uneventful. The dance is progressing little by little, as is my personal goal for flexibility. In general I feel that my personal goal of speed while dancing is being accomplished. Currently, I am completing every movement at the same time as the rest, and with the music. This is especially tricky with this song, as I mentioned the first week, because the dance does not go with the typical 8 beat count. But, as always, practice makes perfect, and that is what I am doing! I think that the goal of speed is easier to keep for this "lyrico" dace than it will be for the "moderno" dance, as the movement in the latter tend to be much smaller and faster. To tell teh trutgh, I am really looking forward to starting the modern dance soon...partly because I am eager to work on that personal goal...and partly also because I do not like the lirico one so much this year!
This week I changed my bicycle route, as the days have become much shorter since the clocks changed, and part of the route I have been taking has no street lights and passes through a place with no people, so it can be dangerous in the dark, even though my bike has small lights. I changed to a route more similar to the one that cars would take, which is actually shorter, approximately 2.9km, and taked me between 10 and 12 minutes. I am very happy with the change as it is faster and safer. The only reason I initially chose the other route was that tghis one is on the bicycle track (called bidegorri here) right next to the road, so I woudl be cycling next to cars the whole time, as opposed to in more natural surroundings. Nevertheless, this is a very open, quite suburban area, with lots of trees, and not that many cars, so pollution is not really a worry - especially opposed to having an accident on a dark road with no one to help me.
There was no dance class on Tuesday this week, as the 1st of November is a national holiday. Thursday was relatively uneventful. The dance is progressing little by little, as is my personal goal for flexibility. In general I feel that my personal goal of speed while dancing is being accomplished. Currently, I am completing every movement at the same time as the rest, and with the music. This is especially tricky with this song, as I mentioned the first week, because the dance does not go with the typical 8 beat count. But, as always, practice makes perfect, and that is what I am doing! I think that the goal of speed is easier to keep for this "lyrico" dace than it will be for the "moderno" dance, as the movement in the latter tend to be much smaller and faster. To tell teh trutgh, I am really looking forward to starting the modern dance soon...partly because I am eager to work on that personal goal...and partly also because I do not like the lirico one so much this year!
WEEK SIX: Tues 8 and Thurs 10 November 2016
This week I will be analysing and reflecting on how I am currently addressing my first learning outcome, of identifying my own strengths and developing areas for growth. I have previously discussed two areas for growth, speed and flexibility, as they are my personal goals, but I have more ,as well as strengths:
This week I will be analysing and reflecting on how I am currently addressing my first learning outcome, of identifying my own strengths and developing areas for growth. I have previously discussed two areas for growth, speed and flexibility, as they are my personal goals, but I have more ,as well as strengths:
- Memory: The learning of a dance choreography requires good memory. Over my three years of dance classes, I have noticed an improvement in my memory. When I first started I would forget what new movements the teacher had added the previous class, and it would take a lot of time to really learn them. Presently, I am much faster at learning mobements, but, unfortunately, don't have brilliant memory, so it takes me time to learn it so well that I can do the dance without teh teacher or the other girls fro reference. I'd say I am much stronger in this area than when I started, but I can definitely grow.
- Coordination: Coordination is essential in every type of dance style, particularly when it is a group dance, as I need to coordinate my own movements at the same time as keeping in time and position with the rest of the group. There are some movements that are quite complex, and for me personally are impossible to get the first time. It used to astonish me how the more experienced dancers could do movements the first time around, practically perfectly. Then, one time, one of those girls said how there are movements that she can almost predict, and can do them with no practice, because they are based on or teh same as previous movements she has done. I realised that coordination is not really a talent but something that improves with experience and practice. So, even though I am much, much better than my first year of dance, this is an area for growth.
- Sense of rhythm: I it one thing to have the memory, coordination, speed and strength to learn dance movements and another to be able to dance to the rhythm of a song - for this, it is necessary to listen the beat, and be able to fit each movement into the song. I would consider this one of my strengths, as previously to this dance, we would always count everything in 8 beats, or 4 long beats, and I was good at keeping this rhythm. I often noticed how other girls went too fast, but I generally knew how to fit movements into the rhythm (...although my body didn't always move quickly enough, I did start and end movements right). This year, however, thing are different, as this song's rhythm isn't regular, as the lyrics go over the beat counts, and there are many pauses and elongated notes, so the movements go according to the lyrics instead. So, this strength has turned into an area for growth, and though it was frustrating at first, I can already feel myself getting used to it and improving.
- Balance: Balance is also very important in dance, especially in the lirico style, which has many jumps, pirouettes and positions that need to be maintained in balance. Overall, I believe that balance is one of my strengths: I am good at keeping balance on one foot or in difficult positions. I also used to believe that I was very good at spinning, in pirouettes, because when I was younger I did figure skating (on wheels), for which I did all sorts of pirouettes. However, I have come to the realisation that I am not actually very good at spinning, or at least not on my left foot. On my right foot I do have relatively good control, probably because it is my dominant leg, but mainly because that is the leg that most roller skating pirouettees are done on. Unfortunately, in dance I need to be good on both legs. In thsi dance, in particular, there is a pirouette on the left foot for which I am in teh first row! I find it really quite stressful to have to do this in the first row, and I know that the teacher is seeing me lose my balance, and I am worried that I will be changed. Therefore, I am working hard on improving my left foot spins. So, although balance is generally a strength of mine, for spinning on my left foot it is definitely an area for growth.
- Strength/resistance: Despite the fact that some people may consider dance not to be a "sport", and more like an "art", it requires a lot of strength, resistance and physical exertion. I would say that this aspect of dance is one of my strengths - over my life I have enjoyed a variety of sports, including swimming, tennis, figure skating, rollerblading, biking and many of the sports we did in PE at school, including football, hockey and basketball. Although this year I am only doing dance as an afterschool activity, I also try to fit in workouts at home when I have time. At the end of each class we do a series of an abdominal exercise that is a sort of alternative jacknife crunch and pushups. unfortunately, I have an issue with my wrists due to improper healing when I sprained it twice, so my doctor does not allow me to perform exercises that put my bodyweight on my wrists. Instead, I do elbow plank holds and elbow planks with arm lifts. For both exercises the teacher says we should do 20 repetitions, but I do about 25, because although this is already a strength of mine, tehre is always room for growth.
WEEK SEVEN: Tues 15 and Thurs 17 November 2016
This week was similar to the previous, except some new movements were added onto the dance. Two of the dance moves are done in pairs and both involve one person in the pair lifting up the other. At the moment I lift up the girl in the first movement and am lifted up in the other. Both of these fit with my second learning outcome, "Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process", because although I have done partered movements that include one person being in the air before, these particular two are new to me. It is challenging to coordinate a lift and jump with my partner and to make sure I am moving in the right way to make the movement possible, as well as keeping in time with the music and the rest of the dancers. Nevertheless, this is a challenge I am going to undertake eagerly, as both movements contribute to making the dance more dynamic.
This week was similar to the previous, except some new movements were added onto the dance. Two of the dance moves are done in pairs and both involve one person in the pair lifting up the other. At the moment I lift up the girl in the first movement and am lifted up in the other. Both of these fit with my second learning outcome, "Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process", because although I have done partered movements that include one person being in the air before, these particular two are new to me. It is challenging to coordinate a lift and jump with my partner and to make sure I am moving in the right way to make the movement possible, as well as keeping in time with the music and the rest of the dancers. Nevertheless, this is a challenge I am going to undertake eagerly, as both movements contribute to making the dance more dynamic.
WEEK EIGHT: Tues 22 and Thurs 24 November 2016
Uneventful week.
Uneventful week.
WEEK NINE: Tues 29 November and Thurs 1 December 2016
Tuesday was a normal dance day, but on THursday I could not attend as I was at home with a fever that reached 39.6°C. I am not sure how I caught the flu, but I think it may have been influenced by my cycle back on Tuesday night, as I began feeling bad on Wednesday morning. I think that coming out of a hot, sweaty sports center and then cycling, breathing in cold air, is taking its toll on me. I love getting that activity done, but the cold air is a problem. So far I have been extremely lucky with the rain, and I have only gone by car twice, and I mean luck as Bilbao is very rainy so it seems a fortunate coincidence that mpost Tuesdays and Thursdays it is dry. Nevertheless, from December to Febryary it gets cold and there is a lot more rain, so I need to reconsider cycling there every day, especially as it makes me vulnerable to the cold or flu. Still, even if I cannot cycle on some days, I will be taking the public bus rather than beig driven there, to be more environmentaly friendly.
Tuesday was a normal dance day, but on THursday I could not attend as I was at home with a fever that reached 39.6°C. I am not sure how I caught the flu, but I think it may have been influenced by my cycle back on Tuesday night, as I began feeling bad on Wednesday morning. I think that coming out of a hot, sweaty sports center and then cycling, breathing in cold air, is taking its toll on me. I love getting that activity done, but the cold air is a problem. So far I have been extremely lucky with the rain, and I have only gone by car twice, and I mean luck as Bilbao is very rainy so it seems a fortunate coincidence that mpost Tuesdays and Thursdays it is dry. Nevertheless, from December to Febryary it gets cold and there is a lot more rain, so I need to reconsider cycling there every day, especially as it makes me vulnerable to the cold or flu. Still, even if I cannot cycle on some days, I will be taking the public bus rather than beig driven there, to be more environmentaly friendly.
WEEK TEN: Tues 6 and Thurs 8 December 2016
Tuesday and Thursday are bank holidays, so no classes this week.
Tuesday and Thursday are bank holidays, so no classes this week.
WEEK ELEVEN: Tues 13 and Thurs 15 December 2016
We have reached th eend of the song for this dance! We are actually no where near finished, as there are parts of the choreography that need improvement, and others that are still not fully developed, but most of the dance is done, and we know how it will end. It always feeld great to finish a choreography, but for this particular one I feel relieved too! I have mentioned several times that I dislike the song and I am not too fond of the choreography either...I do enjoy dancing it, but would have preferred any of countless other songs. Therefore, it is a relief to see the end is near, although we will continue practicing it throughout the rest of the year, until May and June, when we exhibit it. At some point in January we will be starting the second dance, which I am very excited about!
We have reached th eend of the song for this dance! We are actually no where near finished, as there are parts of the choreography that need improvement, and others that are still not fully developed, but most of the dance is done, and we know how it will end. It always feeld great to finish a choreography, but for this particular one I feel relieved too! I have mentioned several times that I dislike the song and I am not too fond of the choreography either...I do enjoy dancing it, but would have preferred any of countless other songs. Therefore, it is a relief to see the end is near, although we will continue practicing it throughout the rest of the year, until May and June, when we exhibit it. At some point in January we will be starting the second dance, which I am very excited about!
WEEK TWELVE: Tues 20 December 2016
Tuesday was the last dance class of 2016!!!
It was actually unlike most dance classes, as instead of doing our usual warmup and dance choreographies, we danced bachata, a Latin American dance. This was different and really fun, and met some of my learning outcomes: I undertook the challenge of learning this new dance style and steps, developed that new skill and grew my knowledge of dance styles.
Tuesday was the last dance class of 2016!!!
It was actually unlike most dance classes, as instead of doing our usual warmup and dance choreographies, we danced bachata, a Latin American dance. This was different and really fun, and met some of my learning outcomes: I undertook the challenge of learning this new dance style and steps, developed that new skill and grew my knowledge of dance styles.
WEEK THIRTEEN: Tues 10 and Thurs 12 Januray 2017
During the last few days of the holidays I seemed to have overexerted my knees and I have chosen not to attend dance while they hurt, so as to not make them worse. It has happened to me with my wrist that I sprained it a couple of times and it never fully recovered, so I can no longer use them as well as I'd like to. If I had to live the rest of my life with bad knees or worried that I might hurt them again, I would be extremely unhappy, as I could no longer dance, run, jump...so to avoid that I will rest and recover fully before returning to dance.
During the last few days of the holidays I seemed to have overexerted my knees and I have chosen not to attend dance while they hurt, so as to not make them worse. It has happened to me with my wrist that I sprained it a couple of times and it never fully recovered, so I can no longer use them as well as I'd like to. If I had to live the rest of my life with bad knees or worried that I might hurt them again, I would be extremely unhappy, as I could no longer dance, run, jump...so to avoid that I will rest and recover fully before returning to dance.
WEEK FOURTEEN: Tues 17 and Thurs 19 Januray 2017
Still not recovered.
Still not recovered.
WEEK FIFTEEN: Tues 24 and Thurs 26 Januray 2017
My doctor said it would be safe for me to return to dance next week, although making sure i do not overdo it.
My doctor said it would be safe for me to return to dance next week, although making sure i do not overdo it.
WEEK SIXTEEN: Tues 31 January and Thurs 2 February 2017
It is great to be back in dance! I really missed the feeling of exercising in that room with the girls, and the feeling of energy I get afterwards. Tuesday was not easy, as I hadn't done the stretching routine nor practiced the choreography for over a month! Anyway, this was a good opportunity to once again address my learning outcome of demonstrating that challenges have been undertaken. Actually, this was not such a huge challenge, as by Thursday I had already gotten back into it.
A major challenge for me now is the new dance, which was started while I was away. It is our second choreography of the year, this time in the style of modern dance.
It is great to be back in dance! I really missed the feeling of exercising in that room with the girls, and the feeling of energy I get afterwards. Tuesday was not easy, as I hadn't done the stretching routine nor practiced the choreography for over a month! Anyway, this was a good opportunity to once again address my learning outcome of demonstrating that challenges have been undertaken. Actually, this was not such a huge challenge, as by Thursday I had already gotten back into it.
A major challenge for me now is the new dance, which was started while I was away. It is our second choreography of the year, this time in the style of modern dance.
WEEK SEVENTEEN: Tues 7 and Thurs 9 February 2017
WEEK EIGHTEEN: Tues 14 and Thurs 16 February 2017
WEEK NINETEEN: Tues 21 and Thurs 23 February 2017
WEEK TWENTY: Tues 28 February and Thurs 2 March 2017
WEEK TWENTYONE: Tues 7 and Thurs 9 March 2017
These weeks were mostly uneventful. Surprisingly, we have not been working on the new dances at all. There are actually two new dances: one is modern in style, which I mentioned previously, and which I have seen a couple of times. Still, watching the girls dancing it two times quickly is nowhere near enough to be able to learn it. The other is also a lirico one, which I have not seen yet at all. I am a bit worried about these two dances as I have to catch up with the rest of the girls.
For now however, we are not practicing it at all, but concentrating on the first dance. This is because we will be performing only that first dance on the 29th of April, whereas we will not be performing the others until the final exhibition in June. The 29th of April is El día de la danza, which translates as the day of dance. I will be performing my group dance on a Saturday afternoon, where many other groups will perform too.
Also, that Saturday morning I will be taking part in another CAS activity, because, also to celebrate the day of dance, there will be free dance classes and workshops taking place. I will write about that in a page for that activity, and I hope I won't be tired in the afternoon!
Going back to these past few weeks, as I mentioned before, we have been mostly practicing and perfecting the first dance. It gets tiresome to be repeating it so often, but it is definitely helpful. Our teacher sometimes takes it step by step, making sure that we not only complete the movement, but also thinking of every part of our body, especially the face, to add expression. By doing so, I am working on my learning outcome: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth. Expression is definitely one of my areas for growth. When I am dancing, especially when I am still learning or perfecting a dance, I often concentrate entirely on executing the movements that I forget about my face. The result is me looking rather serious, or pulling faces that do not go with the song. Nevertheless, I feel that I have been improving lately. The better I know the choreography, the more I can relax and get into the music...and dance as if I were making up my own dance, with nobody watching, expressing the song through my movement.
WEEK EIGHTEEN: Tues 14 and Thurs 16 February 2017
WEEK NINETEEN: Tues 21 and Thurs 23 February 2017
WEEK TWENTY: Tues 28 February and Thurs 2 March 2017
WEEK TWENTYONE: Tues 7 and Thurs 9 March 2017
These weeks were mostly uneventful. Surprisingly, we have not been working on the new dances at all. There are actually two new dances: one is modern in style, which I mentioned previously, and which I have seen a couple of times. Still, watching the girls dancing it two times quickly is nowhere near enough to be able to learn it. The other is also a lirico one, which I have not seen yet at all. I am a bit worried about these two dances as I have to catch up with the rest of the girls.
For now however, we are not practicing it at all, but concentrating on the first dance. This is because we will be performing only that first dance on the 29th of April, whereas we will not be performing the others until the final exhibition in June. The 29th of April is El día de la danza, which translates as the day of dance. I will be performing my group dance on a Saturday afternoon, where many other groups will perform too.
Also, that Saturday morning I will be taking part in another CAS activity, because, also to celebrate the day of dance, there will be free dance classes and workshops taking place. I will write about that in a page for that activity, and I hope I won't be tired in the afternoon!
Going back to these past few weeks, as I mentioned before, we have been mostly practicing and perfecting the first dance. It gets tiresome to be repeating it so often, but it is definitely helpful. Our teacher sometimes takes it step by step, making sure that we not only complete the movement, but also thinking of every part of our body, especially the face, to add expression. By doing so, I am working on my learning outcome: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth. Expression is definitely one of my areas for growth. When I am dancing, especially when I am still learning or perfecting a dance, I often concentrate entirely on executing the movements that I forget about my face. The result is me looking rather serious, or pulling faces that do not go with the song. Nevertheless, I feel that I have been improving lately. The better I know the choreography, the more I can relax and get into the music...and dance as if I were making up my own dance, with nobody watching, expressing the song through my movement.
WEEK TWENTYTWO: Tues 14 and Thurs 16 March 2017
Similar to previous weeks, but I'd like to reflect a bit on my cycling to dance class. I am feeling really positive about my decision to cycle to and from classes. It is just an extra twenty five minutes of exercise, but I really push hard, and get home sweating and exhausted but energized. Dance class also tires me out, but it is indoors, and it is very different to exercise in fresh air. Cycling somehow manages to use up my energy but leave me more energetic afterwards. When I get home I always feel refreshed and happy. It also feels great to be doing another small bit for the environment.
I have to say that I have been incredibly lucky with the weather this winter. My city is known to be a very rainy one, but somehow the downpours have quite rarely coincided with my biweekly cycles. There have been a few days during the winter that my parents drove me to the class because it was pouring, but the great, great, great majority I have been able to cycle.
I am also lucky in this respect that I live in a costal area, where is hardly every snows, and the temperatures are generally rather mild in winter, tending to stay above the 0 degree mark. Still, there have been some cold days, where I had to put on my warmest, heat-trapping top and buff and gloves, to protect my skin from the bitter wind. Nevertheless, I have not found the weather to be the obstacle that I thought it would be in winter for cycling. Of course, this is great for me to be able to cycle, but it also reminds me of the worrying idea of global warming. Even for where I live, this winter has been very mild. (added in April:) I also read that the average temperatures this March have been the second highest ever recorded (those in 2016 being the highest). These facts are troubling, especially as there are countless people still in denial of the reality that is global warming.
Similar to previous weeks, but I'd like to reflect a bit on my cycling to dance class. I am feeling really positive about my decision to cycle to and from classes. It is just an extra twenty five minutes of exercise, but I really push hard, and get home sweating and exhausted but energized. Dance class also tires me out, but it is indoors, and it is very different to exercise in fresh air. Cycling somehow manages to use up my energy but leave me more energetic afterwards. When I get home I always feel refreshed and happy. It also feels great to be doing another small bit for the environment.
I have to say that I have been incredibly lucky with the weather this winter. My city is known to be a very rainy one, but somehow the downpours have quite rarely coincided with my biweekly cycles. There have been a few days during the winter that my parents drove me to the class because it was pouring, but the great, great, great majority I have been able to cycle.
I am also lucky in this respect that I live in a costal area, where is hardly every snows, and the temperatures are generally rather mild in winter, tending to stay above the 0 degree mark. Still, there have been some cold days, where I had to put on my warmest, heat-trapping top and buff and gloves, to protect my skin from the bitter wind. Nevertheless, I have not found the weather to be the obstacle that I thought it would be in winter for cycling. Of course, this is great for me to be able to cycle, but it also reminds me of the worrying idea of global warming. Even for where I live, this winter has been very mild. (added in April:) I also read that the average temperatures this March have been the second highest ever recorded (those in 2016 being the highest). These facts are troubling, especially as there are countless people still in denial of the reality that is global warming.
WEEK TWENTYTHREE: Tues 21 March 2017
This week I only had dance class on Tuesday, because early Wednesday morning I left on a class CAS trip to Prague (see CAS experiences for all the activities I did there).
This week I only had dance class on Tuesday, because early Wednesday morning I left on a class CAS trip to Prague (see CAS experiences for all the activities I did there).
WEEK TWENTYFOUR: Tues 28 and Thurs 30 March 2017
WEEK TWENTYFIVE: Tues 4 and Thurs 6 April 2017
WEEK TWENTYSIX: Tues 25 and Thurs 27 April 2017
Tuesday was the first day back in dance after two weeks with no practice, on account of Spring Break. Two weeks is not that long, but I have lost some elasticity, so I will need to work extra hard to gain it back and continue improving, as that is an area for growth (learning oitcome 1) and a personal goal.
On Saturday I will be performing my dance! The day has arrived so soon! These months have flown by, and I am really rather nervous. I have danced in the DAy of Dance exhibition the last 3 years, but it is still a challenge to perform in front of so many people (maybe a couple hundred people). So, on Saturday I will be working on my second learning outcome: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
Tuesday was the first day back in dance after two weeks with no practice, on account of Spring Break. Two weeks is not that long, but I have lost some elasticity, so I will need to work extra hard to gain it back and continue improving, as that is an area for growth (learning oitcome 1) and a personal goal.
On Saturday I will be performing my dance! The day has arrived so soon! These months have flown by, and I am really rather nervous. I have danced in the DAy of Dance exhibition the last 3 years, but it is still a challenge to perform in front of so many people (maybe a couple hundred people). So, on Saturday I will be working on my second learning outcome: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
DIA DE LA DANZA: Dance performance on Saturday 29 April
Thinking about hiphop
- Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
- Dance is an activity that has many different aspects to it and requires many skills, including flexibility, speed, coordination, memory, sense of rhythm, strength, resistance, balance and motivation. I know from my previous years that I am stronger in some areas than in others. Still, this is a new year and depending on the amount of work we put in for developing each skill in each class I will be improving more in different aspects. I have already identified two of my areas for growth and improvement (energeticness/speed, and flexibility) and have set personal goals for bettering those skills. Throughout the 9 months I will continue identifying my areas of strength and do my best to improve in areas that I struggle with.
- (Learning outcome #2): Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
- My teacher choreographs more challenging dances each year, inserting new elements and movements. Each of these new dance skills will be challenging, but “practice makes perfect” so hopefully by June I will be able to perform the new dance movements and skills very well. Furthermore, it is not only the actual choreographies that are challenging, but all the exercises for strength, resistance and flexibility as well. I am already quite strong and resistant in sport, but flexibility is a challenge for me. It is part of my personal goals too, so I will work to overcome the challenges and achieve the skill of doing the splits.
Thinking about hiphop
WEEK TWENTYSEVEN: Tues 2 and Thurs 4 May 2017
On Tuesday we talked a bit about our performance on Saturday. It was helpful to reflect on our dance as a group, and I was able to see that even though I was not as satisfied with my individual performance, everyone was happy with how the dance looked as a whole.
On Thursday we practiced the second dance which I was really looking forward to. We rehearsed and corrected the part already choreographed, which is still only the beginning. I am not yet totally confident dancing it, as I have only been able to practice it a few times, but after today I feel like I have improved and have a hang on the first part.
On Tuesday we talked a bit about our performance on Saturday. It was helpful to reflect on our dance as a group, and I was able to see that even though I was not as satisfied with my individual performance, everyone was happy with how the dance looked as a whole.
On Thursday we practiced the second dance which I was really looking forward to. We rehearsed and corrected the part already choreographed, which is still only the beginning. I am not yet totally confident dancing it, as I have only been able to practice it a few times, but after today I feel like I have improved and have a hang on the first part.
WEEK TWENTYEIGHT: Tues 9 and Thurs 11 May 2017
WEEK TWENTYNINE: Tues 16 and Thurs 18 May 2017
These two weeks were spent continuing the choreography of the second dance and practicing, practicing, practicing!
WEEK TWENTYNINE: Tues 16 and Thurs 18 May 2017
These two weeks were spent continuing the choreography of the second dance and practicing, practicing, practicing!
WEEK THIRTY: Tues 23 and Thurs 25 May 2017
This week we made a video of the dance, as it is practically finished, just in need of cleaning up a bit. We split into two groups and took turn to dance in front od each other so that we could watch the dance live. I wasn't really nervous, but I did make a mistake in the middle of the dance where I started dancing the wrong bit. Apart from that small mistake, which I actually covered quite quickly, I am happy with how I did, as I put in maximum effort and energy. I feel, especially watching myself in the video afterwards, that I have reached my first personal goal of speed. I have noticed by my speed in the video and by how much more tired I feel as I get towards the end, as I am making such an effort. Feedback from a friend confirmed this, as she said that I am more enrgetic than others. Of course, it is not good to go too fast or hard, as I must keep in time with the rest, but I feel really proud at my progress regarding energy and speed. At the same time as accomplishing that goal, I am reaching my first learning outcome of identifying strengths and areas of growth: I have been working hard on a personal area of growth, and am now seeing the positive results!!!
This week we made a video of the dance, as it is practically finished, just in need of cleaning up a bit. We split into two groups and took turn to dance in front od each other so that we could watch the dance live. I wasn't really nervous, but I did make a mistake in the middle of the dance where I started dancing the wrong bit. Apart from that small mistake, which I actually covered quite quickly, I am happy with how I did, as I put in maximum effort and energy. I feel, especially watching myself in the video afterwards, that I have reached my first personal goal of speed. I have noticed by my speed in the video and by how much more tired I feel as I get towards the end, as I am making such an effort. Feedback from a friend confirmed this, as she said that I am more enrgetic than others. Of course, it is not good to go too fast or hard, as I must keep in time with the rest, but I feel really proud at my progress regarding energy and speed. At the same time as accomplishing that goal, I am reaching my first learning outcome of identifying strengths and areas of growth: I have been working hard on a personal area of growth, and am now seeing the positive results!!!
WEEK THIRTYONE: Tues 30 May and Thurs 1 June 2017
This week our teacher set the positions for the second dance. I am second row, which is really good but also stightly disappointing after the great effort I made. Nevertheless, I will do my best from there.
This week there were also some important modifications to the dance:
In the last part of the time we dance, the chorus is repeated, with the same movements. That second time, however, instead of all of us doing it at the same time, we will do some in turns. That is, some of us will freeze in one position while the rest will continue to the next step, then all will resume at the next step. These, in which I am generally one of the ones freezing, are especially challenging as I seem to have learned the movements by muscle memory, and, without thinking, my body goes to the next step. This means that I need to concentrate extra hard at those bits, as during the first chorus I do all the movements but during the second only some. With this addition, I am meeting my second learning outcome, as I am undertaking a challenge, and developing the skill of thinking when exactly to do what, and not be guided simply by how my body has memorized the movements.
This week our teacher set the positions for the second dance. I am second row, which is really good but also stightly disappointing after the great effort I made. Nevertheless, I will do my best from there.
This week there were also some important modifications to the dance:
In the last part of the time we dance, the chorus is repeated, with the same movements. That second time, however, instead of all of us doing it at the same time, we will do some in turns. That is, some of us will freeze in one position while the rest will continue to the next step, then all will resume at the next step. These, in which I am generally one of the ones freezing, are especially challenging as I seem to have learned the movements by muscle memory, and, without thinking, my body goes to the next step. This means that I need to concentrate extra hard at those bits, as during the first chorus I do all the movements but during the second only some. With this addition, I am meeting my second learning outcome, as I am undertaking a challenge, and developing the skill of thinking when exactly to do what, and not be guided simply by how my body has memorized the movements.
WEEK THIRTYTWO: Tues 6 and Thurs 8 June 2017
This week was a busy one for me, as it included the last two classes before our final exhibition...and on top of that I have my Mock IB exams at school!!!
On Tuesday we were trying on the clothes we were thinking of for the second dance and finally settled on an outfit. It is not the most comfortable or flattering, but a dancer must adapt to the costume and dance their best anyway!
Thursday was a full class of practice, practice, practice! The high temperatures of these spring and summer months make dancing so much harder, as there is a class right before mine and no ventilation, so the room is extremely stuffy. On top of that, I already arrive hot from the cycling, so I end up boiling hot and sweaty.
This week was a busy one for me, as it included the last two classes before our final exhibition...and on top of that I have my Mock IB exams at school!!!
On Tuesday we were trying on the clothes we were thinking of for the second dance and finally settled on an outfit. It is not the most comfortable or flattering, but a dancer must adapt to the costume and dance their best anyway!
Thursday was a full class of practice, practice, practice! The high temperatures of these spring and summer months make dancing so much harder, as there is a class right before mine and no ventilation, so the room is extremely stuffy. On top of that, I already arrive hot from the cycling, so I end up boiling hot and sweaty.
WEEK THIRTYTHREE: Tues 13 and Thurs 15 June 2017
WEEK THIRTYFOUR: Tues 20 and Thurs 22 June 2017
- How are you feeling?
- How are you progressing?
- Are the goals you set initially realistic?
- Is there anything you would change?
- Have you encountered any problems? If so, which, how are you hoping to solve them?
ANTICIPATED LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- (Learning outcome #1): Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
- Dance is an activity that has many different aspects to it and requires many skills, including flexibility, speed, coordination, memory, sense of rhythm, strength, resistance, balance and motivation. I know from my previous years that I am stronger in some areas than in others. Still, this is a new year and depending on the amount of work we put in for developing each skill in each class I will be improving more in different aspects. I have already identified two of my areas for growth and improvement (energeticness/speed, and flexibility) and have set personal goals for bettering those skills. Throughout the 9 months I will continue identifying my areas of strength and do my best to improve in areas that I struggle with.
- (Learning outcome #2): Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
- My teacher choreographs more challenging dances each year, inserting new elements and movements. Each of these new dance skills will be challenging, but “practice makes perfect” so hopefully by June I will be able to perform the new dance movements and skills very well. Furthermore, it is not only the actual choreographies that are challenging, but all the exercises for strength, resistance and flexibility as well. I am already quite strong and resistant in sport, but flexibility is a challenge for me. It is part of my personal goals too, so I will work to overcome the challenges and achieve the skill of doing the splits.
- (Learning outcome #7): Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions (ADDED ON WEEK THREE)
- I decided to switch from being driven to the sports center for class by my parents to cycling there myself. In this way I considered the ethics of contributing to the sustainability of a natural environment and reducing my carbon footprint.