Minds On
Today’s vocabulary
Press the following tabs to access the definitions for today’s vocabulary.
Tempo is how fast or slow a dance is performed or music is played.
In Indigenous cultures, regalia refers to traditional or sacred clothing that is used during ceremonies, like Powwows and other celebrations. The materials, designs, and the teachings behind the regalia vary based on the event and the community it comes from.
Let’s get started!
Drakon is from the Tsimshian nation in British Columbia. Dancing is important in their culture.
Access this video to learn more about a dance from Drakon’s community.
Use the following questions to reflect on the video:
- What did you notice about the dancers from Drakon’s community? What were the dancers doing?
- How could you show you are dancing? What movements or actions would you make?
- Where have you experienced dance in your life?
Portfolio
Portfolio
Record your ideas on the computer, on paper, in a picture, or using another method you choose.
Consider adding your thoughts to your portfolio.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Description
A learner doing three moves. The beginning move is a jump with the legs tucked behind them. The middle move is the legs on the floor and both hands moving to one side of their body. The end move is a jump with the arms stretched up overhead and the legs straight.
Let’s examine the dance performance from Drakon’s community again.
Like a story, dance has a beginning, middle, and end.
In Drakon’s community, the dance started with chanting and the drummers hitting their drums.
Next, the dancers entered the main room and moved around to the music.
In the end, the dancers and the drumming slowed down.
Everyone stood in one spot singing and then chanting.
Who?
Who took part in the dance?
Press ‘Answer’ to check your understanding.
Members from Drakon’s community took part in the dance.
Two groups of children are standing and facing each other during a ceremony. They are dressed in regalia. One group is holding drums.
What?
What did you notice when the dancers from Drakon’s community were dancing? Consider the following questions:
- What clothing did the dancer(s) wear?
- What objects did they use in the dance?
- What music was used in this dance? Were there special instruments used? Was the music fast or slow? Loud or soft?
Press ‘Answer’ to check your understanding.
- Drakon wears regalia to dance with his community.
- Drakon and the other drummers created music to dance to. The music was fast and loud. The music was played by Drakon and other members of his community.
- They moved to the music of the drum and voices.
Explore the following images for examples of the regalia that Drakon wears and the instruments used in the dance.
A vest is part of the traditional Tsimshian regalia.
A cedar bark hat is part of the traditional regalia of the Tsimshian nation.
An apron is part of the traditional regalia of the Tsimshian nation.
Moccasins are part of the traditional regalia of the Tsimshian nation.
Drumming is part of the music played during a Tsimshian nation ceremony.
Where?
Where did the dance take place?
Press ‘Answer’ to check your understanding.
The dance took place in a longhouse. A longhouse is a traditional structure.
Why?
Why is this dance special? Why is this dance important to Drakon’s community?
Press ‘Answer’ to check your understanding.
The dance is important because it is part of a ceremony. The ceremony brings Drakon’s community together to celebrate.
Explore the following images to find out why this dance is important to Drakon’s community.
Go!
Dance in your life
Let’s explore your dance experience! Consider the following questions:
- Who took part in the dance?
- What did you notice about the dance?
- What is the name of the dance?
- What clothing did the dancer(s) wear?
- What objects did they use in the dance?
- What music was used in this dance? Were there special instruments used? Was the music fast or slow? Loud or soft?
- Where did the dance take place?
- Why is this dance special?
Now, consider Drakon’s dance experience from the video in the previous section. How was his experience similar or different to yours?
Complete the Dance Experiences organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts. Consider adding your work to your dance portfolio.
| Name of My Dance Experience: | ||
| Questions: | In Drakon’s experience: |
In your
experience: (Use pictures and/or words to describe a dance in your experience) |
|
Who? Who took part in the dance? |
The people from Drakon’s community. |
|
|
What? What did you notice about the dance? What is the name of the dance? What clothing did the dancer(s) wear? What objects did they use in the dance? What music was used in this dance? Were there special instruments used? Was the music fast or slow? Loud or soft? |
Drakon wears regalia to dance with his community. Drakon uses a drum to create music to dance to. The music was fast and loud. The music was played by Drakon and other members of his community. |
|
|
Where?
Where did the dance take place? |
The dance took place in a longhouse. |
|
|
Why?
Why is this dance special? |
The dance connects the dancers to their clans and shows respect for their community and culture. |
|
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Dance Experiences.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Portfolio
Review your learning
Use the following questions to reflect on your learning:
- Let's name a special occasion where people might have dance experiences.
- How would that special occasion be different without dance?
- In what ways is dance important to people and communities?
Record your ideas on the computer, on paper, in a picture, or using another method you choose.
Consider adding your thoughts to your portfolio.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.