Ninth graders Elli, 14, and Isabel, 15, get to dance their school days away, at least some of the time. They are both in weighted curriculum education in dance, movement and expression at Pitäjänmäki Comprehensive School. Elli, who danced as a hobby, decided to apply for weighted curriculum education even though all of her friends enrolled in her local school: “It was an excellent decision. Our school has a good community spirit and I've made a lot of new friends.”
Since the beginning of the seventh grade, Elli’s school weeks have included not only general education, but also weighted curriculum courses ranging from music to drama and from contemporary dance to staging. Her class have also gone to see musicals and ballet and performed at various school parties. Both Elli and Isabel are planning on applying to a general upper secondary school with a special emphasis in dance. The certificate that they will receive for their final project at the end of ninth grade will help with the application process. Isabel urges anyone interested in dance, movement and expression to apply for weighted curriculum education: “It is easy to get to know new people here, as all of my classmates have similar interests.”
A varied selection of courses
Pitäjänmäki Comprehensive School offers weighted curriculum education in dance, movement and expression from seventh grade onwards. The weighted curriculum education emphasises activity, interaction and the application of practical skills and knowledge.
In addition to dance, pupils can also specialise in other forms of expression and communication according to their own interest. The school has courses available in drama, cinematography, staging, music and presentation technology, for example.
Weighted curriculum education involves studying a specific subject or subject area more than in general education. Because of this, the school weeks of pupils studying in weighted curriculum education can be 1–2 hours longer than those of pupils studying in general education.
In Helsinki, weighted curriculum education is available in digital visual arts, performance arts, visual arts, Latin, physical education, physical education and home economics, nature and science, mathematics, mathematics and natural sciences, media education, music, modern dance, art expression, dance, movement and expression, dance arts, technology education and communications.
The application process takes place in the spring, and pupils applying for weighted curriculum education must take an aptitude test that tests the pupils’ ability to study the weighted subject area they have applied for. The aptitude tests are held in January and February and the application period is in November–December. Applications can be submitted by sixth graders in Helsinki via an application form available in Wilma.
Inspiring parties
Physical Education and Dance Teacher Vilma Suhonen and Music Lecturer Pia Sandström enjoy their work at Pitäjänmäki Comprehensive School: “Our small school of approximately 500 pupils has a great community spirit. The pupils come from many different cultural backgrounds, which is an asset”, Pia says.
One of the cornerstones of this community spirit is the school’s numerous inspiring parties, from Halloween to Christmas and from spring dances to parents' evenings. The performances featured at the parties are largely organised by weighted curriculum education pupils.: “We encourage everyone to perform, even if they feel nervous about it at first. It is wonderful to see how the pupils cheer each other on”, Vilma says.
In seventh grade, pupils take part in a variety of short courses focusing on different forms of expression. In eighth and ninth grade, pupils get to choose courses in subjects that they wish to specialise in.
Everyone can develop themselves according to their own skill level. In dance courses alone, pupils are introduced to a wide variety of dance styles, from salsa to hip hop: “Even if you've been dancing for years, there's always a new style to learn. Those who have been dancing longer can also challenge themselves by creating their own choreographies”, Vilma says.
Feeding your creativity
The aptitude tests for weighted curriculum education in dance, movement and expression at Pitäjänmäki Comprehensive School are held in January. The test assesses the applicant's physical, musical and dance skills as well as their ability to take in verbal and movement-based instructions. The aptitude test may also involve tasks related to other arts: “Weighted curriculum education is intended for anyone who is interested in it. Engaging in the subject as a hobby is not a requirement, although many pupils do. If you are interested in feeding your own creativity, I would urge you to apply”, Pia says.
According to Pia, the most important requirement is personal motivation: “The aptitude test includes an interview, in which we ask whether you are committed to three years of determined study. Applying just because a friend of yours is applying is not enough.”
In the spring term of ninth grade, pupils in weighted curriculum education carry out a final project, which can be a dance performance or a podcast, for example. Final projects are assessed by both the teacher and the pupil and performed at the weighted curriculum spring exhibition. For Vilma, it is great to get to see how pupils develop. “A dancer can turn into a skilled choreographer in three years. I have also seen pupils who have never engaged in music as a hobby sing solos in the ninth grade spring party.”
Text: Eveliina Lauhio
