The benefits of including dance in your curriculum are many. Most forms of dance can be used as an avenue to become physically fit now and for life. Some dance forms teach social skills and etiquette, while others focus on learning about different cultures. Social and ballroom dance teaches skills that are useful in real life "events" such as weddings, birthdays, and other social gatherings.  The complexity of the movements involved in dance, coupled with the potential for moderate to high intensity cardio makes this an exceptionally well suited activity for growing brain cells and improving learning and academic performance (for more information check out SPARK; The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, by John Ratey) . In addition, dance is fun, -and part of our national and most states' standards for physical education.