Minds On
Today’s vocabulary
Press the following tabs to access the definitions for today’s vocabulary.
Let’s get started!
In this matching activity, you’ll examine a movement and its opposite.
For example, an image of a person jumping would be matched with the word “low,” because high and low are opposites.
Let’s try it! For each image of a movement, select the opposite word to describe it.
Action
Get ready, get set…
In dance, the body can be used to create movements that share different ideas or messages.
Someone might use their body to create opposite or contrasting movements.
Explore the following two videos for examples of opposite movements.
In this video, a dancer has their arms raised. They are moving them up and down in slow and smooth movements.
In this video, a child is jumping up and down and clapping their hands above their head.
Both videos show us how people can use their bodies to create opposite movements.
Elements of the body
We can use the elements of the body to share different ideas.
The elements of the body include body zones, body parts, body shapes, and body bases.
Press the following tabs to access the “Elements of Body” chart to learn more about body zones, body parts, body shapes, and body bases.
Body zones are the areas of the body that are used to create movements. These include:
- front
- back
- left side
- right side
- upper body
- lower body
The parts of the body that are used to create movements include the following:
- head
- shoulders
- arms
- hands
- hips
- legs
- knees
- feet
Body shapes describe the positions of our bodies as we move.
Some examples of body shapes include:
- big
- small
- curved
- twisted
- straight
Body bases are the parts of the body that hold up the rest of the body.
When someone is kneeling, the knees are the body base. Other examples include:
- feet
- legs
- side
- bottom
- back
Explore the following image.
A dancer is sitting and hugging their knees to their chest. Their head is resting on their knees, and they are hiding part of their face behind their arm.
What message do you think the dancer is trying to share with the audience?
Press ‘Answer’ to access the feelings the dancer could be trying to share.
They could be tired or feeling shy.
How is the dancer using their body?
Press ‘Answer’ to find out a few ways that the dancer is using their body.
The dancer is at a low level, using their whole body to make a small and curved shape. They are using their bottom and feet as their body base.
What might an opposite movement be?
Review the image of the dancer once more. What might an opposite movement be to the one in the image?
A dancer is sitting and hugging their knees to their chest. Their head is resting on their knees, and they are hiding part of their face behind their arm.
You can use the “Elements of Body” chart to guide you.
Press the following tabs to access the “Elements of Body” chart.
Body zones are the areas of the body that are used to create movements. These include:
- front
- back
- left side
- right side
- upper body
- lower body
The parts of the body that are used to create movements include the following:
- head
- shoulders
- arms
- hands
- hips
- legs
- knees
- feet
Body shapes describe the positions of our bodies as we move.
Some examples of body shapes include:
- big
- small
- curved
- twisted
- straight
Body bases are the parts of the body that hold up the rest of the body.
When someone is kneeling, the knees are the body base. Other examples include:
- feet
- legs
- side
- bottom
- back
When you’re ready, complete the Opposite Movements chart 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.
| Movement | Opposite movement |
|---|---|
|
Description
A dancer is sitting and hugging their knees to their chest. Their head is resting on their knees, and they are hiding part of their face behind their arm. |
Use pictures and words to describe your opposite movement: |
| How the body is used: The dancer is using their whole body to make a small and curved shape. They are using their bottom and feet as their body base. |
How the body is used: |
| The message: They could be tired or feel shy. |
The message: |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Opposite Movements.
After you’ve completed your Opposite Movements chart, press ‘Answer’ to reveal one way you could describe an opposite movement in this activity.
| Movement | Opposite movement |
|---|---|
|
Description
A dancer is sitting and hugging their knees to their chest. Their head is resting on their knees, and they are hiding part of their face behind their arm. |
Description
The dancer is using their whole body to make a small and curved shape. They are using their bottom and feet as their body base. |
| How the body is used: The dancer is using their whole body to make a small and curved shape. They are using their bottom and feet as their body base. |
How the body is used: The dancer is using their upper body to make a big or tall shape. They are using their bottom and legs as their body base. |
| The message: They could be tired or feel shy. |
The message: They could be excited about something. |
Access this audio recording to learn more about using opposite movements to share different ideas.
Opposite Movements Review
Go!
Let’s try creating your own contrasting movement.
Explore the following image and description. Think about:
- What message do you think the dancer is trying to share with the audience?
- How is the dancer using their body?
Consider body zones, body parts, body shapes, and body bases.
You can use the “Elements of Body” chart to guide you.
Press the following tabs to access the “Elements of Body” chart.
Body zones are the areas of the body that are used to create movements. These include:
- front
- back
- left side
- right side
- upper body
- lower body
The parts of the body that are used to create movements include the following:
- head
- shoulders
- arms
- hands
- hips
- legs
- knees
- feet
Body shapes describe the positions of our bodies as we move.
Some examples of body shapes include:
- big
- small
- curved
- twisted
- straight
Body bases are the parts of the body that hold up the rest of the body.
When someone is kneeling, the knees are the body base. Other examples include:
- feet
- legs
- side
- bottom
- back
| Movement | Opposite movement |
|---|---|
|
Draw or use words to describe the opposite movement: |
| How the body is used: The dancer is using their upper body to make a big and straight shape. They are using their feet as their body base. |
|
| The message: | The message: |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Opposite Movements.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Tell me about it
Today, we explored how to move in opposite ways to share different ideas.
What was the most important or memorable thing you experienced in this learning activity?
Portfolio
Review your learning
Share what you learned about today using the words body and opposite.
You may choose to do any of the following options:
- Use pictures and label the important parts using the words body and opposite.
- Tell someone using the words body and opposite.
- Write about it using the words body and opposite.
- Make a recording using the words body and opposite.
Access this audio recording to learn more about how you can share your thoughts on opposite movements.
Opposite Movement Reflections
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.