TOO MUCH STRICTLY?
After the razzle dazzle of PETAZEL, putting us through our analytical paces, time to breathe a little and reflect... Dress it up how you will, formula is dry formula and any amount of drilling for the most part, may enable pupils to remember the steps, but does not guarantee the ability to interpret the dance. How many sweaty, torturous hours do we see the contestants on ‘Strictly’ rehearsing their rumbas, waltzes and paso dobles, producing a range of performances from stompy to sophisticated? Granted, effort, practice and an understanding of the question criteria ensure the fundamentals are in place, and as teachers this is our responsibility; but when it comes to performance on the day, interpreting the text with accuracy, sensitivity and mastery of timing... Is there a formula for that? And should we expect one? Personally, I’ve inclined towards a mixture of formula and organic cultivation of pupils’ ideas and responses to being immersed in a learning envir...