Lesson Plans

What is Dance Freinds?

Dance Friends is a 5-lesson curriculum that aims to reframe the way dancers think about performance, emotion, body image, language, and community in dance. Created by Ashley Thorndike, the curriculum is designed to cater towards dancers of all backgrounds. The lessons are designed for dancers ages 10-18 and can either be taught consecutively or spread out over the course of the year. The program is 100% free and can be taught by any adult who is willing to learn.

Who is it for?

The Dance friends curriculum was written with these populations in mind:

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Experienced Dance Educators

who want to offer a
Dance Friends licensed program at their school, studio, or center. 

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Dance Professionals

who are interested in how dance, education, and psychology intersect.

*

Dance and Movement Teachers

both experienced and new to the field who are looking for ideas to add to their classes.

*

Older Dancers

who grew up dancing and wish they had a curriculum like this when they were a student!


Structure of the Lessons

  1. Emotional Landscapes: Compassion for Self and Others

  2. There Are No Solos: Understanding Connection and Community

  3. Every Body is a Dancing Body: Learning to see Beauty in Action

  4. Seeing and Being Seen: The Interactions of Live arts

  5. How We Talk About What We Do: Using Language Intentionally

    To access the curriculum, please email support@smallspacestudios.com