This text presents a creative, child-centered approach to the teaching of dance in the elementary school based on the theories and methods of Rudolf Laban and Joyce Boorman. The content area of dance is briefly described so that the practical experiences presented later in the text can be viewed in perspective. Dance experiences are presented that facilitate the development of movement vocabulary and that are pertinent to the psychological, physiological, age and sex characteristics of the children. In particular, lessons are designed to expose children to themes involving effort (weight, time, space, and flow), spatial directions and patterns, and group relationships. Sample lessons are based on the content and ideas expressed in previous chapters and involve: statement of the lesson's emphasis; explanation of direct task (movement experience); refinement of task; elaboration of task; exploration beyond task; and return to the original direct task. Suggestions are made for the teacher's body movement and vocal commands, and the length of time to be spent on each task. Lessons are graded one through six. Music, themes, props, and poetry are discussed with recommendations and cautions for their use in the movement experiences. Appendixes list action words that stimulate movement activity, and music and poetry references. (MM)