In November last year (2001) a newsletter was sent to schools outlining strengths and weaknesses of various timetabling models for dance in primary schools. Since primary school dance teachers are either part-time employees or serve two primary schools, they can not be expected to teach all the learners in both schools. It is expected of some dance teachers to teach 2,000 learners per week, know each learner, assess each learner, and attend all the functions, concerts and meetings of both schools. This is simply not possible.

It should further be noted that:

  • Dance class periods from Grade 4 - 7 should last for at least one hour, failing which the class would be over by the time the learners have changed their clothing and warmed up.

  • Dance learners from Grade 4 onwards should have dance classes at least twice a week.

  • Flexitime provides the flexibility needed to timetable for additional learning experiences such as dance (see Circular 115/2000). Learners should be drawn from their classes to dance during flexitime, plus part of their Arts and Culture time. They should not miss notional time from other learning areas.

  • Dance learners must have many opportunities to perform, and they must be assessed every year.

  • The dance teachers need to work with learners who want to dance and who have the aptitude for it.

  • Classes should not be so large that there is insufficient space in which to move. Up to 30 learners per class (in at least a double classroom) should be selected in a fair and inclusive way. Additional learners can be placed on a waiting list to replace learners who are not consistent. Larger classes are possible only where the subject is taught in a large hall.

  • Using dance teachers should not result in other teachers being given a free period.

  • The following seems to be an example of a workable timetabling model:

    GradeDuration of ClassFrequency
    1 a
    1 b      whole class or selected learners
    1 c
    1 d
    		 45 minutes
    45 minutes
    45 minutes
    45 minutes
    		 Term 1
    Term 2
    Term 3
    Term 4
    2 a
    2 b      whole class or selected learners
    2 c
    2 d
    		 45 minutes
    45 minutes
    45 minutes
    45 minutes
    		 Term 1 & 2
    Term 1 & 2
    Term 3 & 4
    Term 3 & 4
    3        whole class or selected learners Same as above Same as above
    Learners selected from all the Grade 4 classes to a
    maximum of 30    		 1 hour 2 per week
    Learners selected from all the Grade 5 classes to a
    maximum of 30    		 1 hour 2 per week
    Learners selected from all the Grade 6 classes to a
    maximum of 30    		 1 hour 2 per week
    Learners selected from all the Grade 7 classes to a
    maximum of 30    		 1 hour 2 per week

  • Principals are respectfully requested to negotiate with one another over a shared dance teacher, as well as with the dance teacher as to what would be reasonable to expect in terms of participation in additional school activities and especially the scheduling of school concerts.

  • Dance teachers can assist with Learning Area: Arts and Culture by participating with the Arts and Culture teachers in the planning. They could also arrange capacity-building workshops for teachers in their schools and perhaps the surrounding schools to guide them in the teaching of dance as part of Arts and Culture.


SIGNED: D.R. SHEPHERD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2003:01:29