Minds On

Today’s vocabulary

A choreographic form that follows a storyline, often conveys a specific message, and usually includes an introduction, rising action, a climax, and a resolution (e.g., the ballet, The Nutcracker ).

A choreographic form used to communicate an idea or message (rather than a narrative). Examples of pattern forms include ‘A B,’ ‘A B A,’ call and response, canon, collage, motif, pattern, retrograde, rondo, theme, and variation.

Let’s get started!

Dance usually follows one of two forms:

Pattern form is when the dance will follow a pattern.
Narrative form is when the dance tells a story.

Let’s consider an example of narrative form.

Explore the following series of videos of a dance performed by the dance group, Pilobolus.

What do you think the story of this dance piece is? Who do you think are the characters? What do you think is happening in the story?

Record your ideas using a method of your choice.

Shadow Dance1 Gruppe Pilobolus

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Shadow Dance2 Gruppe Pilobolus

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Shadow Dance3 Gruppe Pilobolus

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Shadow Dance4 Gruppe Pilobolus

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Get ready, get set…

Task 1: Exploring narrative form

Let’s revisit the Pilobolus dance piece again.

Shadow Dance1 Gruppe Pilobolus

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Shadow Dance2 Gruppe Pilobolus

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Shadow Dance3 Gruppe Pilobolus

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Shadow Dance4 Gruppe Pilobolus

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Now that you have explored the videos, answer the following questions about the Pilobolus dance piece.

Select the correct answer, then press “Check Answer” to see how you did.

Beginning of Multiple Choice 1 interactive activity.Enter interactive activity Multiple Choice 1 or press link to skip to end of activity.

What do you think is happening in the dance piece?

Press link to return to start of interactive activity Multiple Choice 1.End of Multiple Choice 1 interactive activity.

Beginning of Multiple Choice 2 interactive activity.Enter interactive activity Multiple Choice 2 or press link to skip to end of activity.

Who was the main character in this dance piece?

Press link to return to start of interactive activity Multiple Choice 2.End of Multiple Choice 2 interactive activity.

Beginning of Multiple Choice 3 interactive activity.Enter interactive activity Multiple Choice 3 or press link to skip to end of activity.

What were some of the places or locations in the dance piece?

Press link to return to start of interactive activity Multiple Choice 3.End of Multiple Choice 3 interactive activity.

Beginning of Multiple Choice 4 interactive activity.Enter interactive activity Multiple Choice 4 or press link to skip to end of activity.

What was the main idea or theme of the dance piece?

Press link to return to start of interactive activity Multiple Choice 4.End of Multiple Choice 4 interactive activity.

Go!

A dancer pushes themselves up from lying face down on a stage. A dancer dances in place behind them, 1 arm straight out, 1 arm pointed down.

Just like stories, narrative dance pieces have a beginning, middle, and end. Use pictures or words to describe what you think is happening at the beginning, middle, and end of the Pilobolus dance piece.

You can record your ideas in the following fillable and printable Beginning, Middle, and End organizer. You can also record your ideas using another method of your choice.

Beginning, Middle, and End
Beginning	Middle	End

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Beginning, Middle, and End.

Activity

Connections

A dancer in a wheelchair, hand under their chin, thinks about visiting Paris, the Eiffel Tower, a skyline, and mountains in the background.

In Pilobolus’ dance piece, the main character visits new and exciting places in New York City. Have you ever visited a new place, such as a new school, a new neighbourhood, a new city, or country? Was your experience the same or different from the main character in the dance piece?

Using the following fillable and printable Dance Connections Venn diagram provided compare this dance piece with your own experiences.

Press the ‘Hint’ button to access more information on how to complete a Venn diagram

Hint

In the first circle labelled “Character experiences”, record examples of different experiences you noticed in the Pilobolus dance piece video clips (i.e. visiting the zoo, seeing city sights, etc.) In the circle labelled “My experiences”, add in examples of your own experiences of visiting new places. If you identify any experiences that you have had that were also explored in Pilobolus’ dance piece, enter those examples in the overlapping circle in the centre.

You may also record your Venn diagram using another method of your choice.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Dance Connections. Activity (Open PDF in a new window)

If possible, share your ideas with a partner.

Portfolio

Consider adding your Beginning, Middle, and End and Dance Connections Venn diagram to your portfolio.

Consolidation

Putting it all together

A student, wearing headphones plugged into a cellphone held in 1 hand, dances in place with their eyes closed outdoors at a skateboard park.

Portfolio

Review your learning

Answer the following questions to reflect on your learning.

How did your experiences compare to those of the main character in the dance piece? Use your Venn diagram to guide your thinking.
What did you enjoy about this activity? What would you like to continue to explore to help build on your understanding?
Does the story in Pilobolus’ dance piece make your think of another story you have enjoyed?

You can record your answers using a method of your choice. Consider adding your work to your portfolio.

Imagining your own narrative dance

A young person, hand under their chin, thinks and walks on a city street with the Toronto skyline, pulling a wheeled suitcase behind them.

Revisit your experience of going to a new place. Then, using the My Story graphic organizer provided, simplify your story and identify the beginning, middle, and end.

Here is an example to get you started. This is based on Pilobolus’ dance piece.

	Pilobolus’ Story	How it was translated into dance
What happens in the beginning…	The girl with the dog head visited the Statue of Liberty.	Multiple bodies came together to create the Island, one dancer is lifted on top of the bodies to represent the Statue of Liberty. The girl with the dog head looks up towards the statue.
What happens in the middle…	The girl with the dog head visits the zoo.	Four dancers roll across the front of the stage and come together to create an elephant with their bodies. The girl with the dog head stands in front of the elephant looking up.
What happens at the end…	The airplane takes off.	Five dancers roll across the stage from both sides and meet in the middle. They use their bodies to collectively create the shape of the airplane.

Now, it’s your turn!

Use the following fillable and printable My Story graphic organizer to complete the beginning, middle, and end of your story.

Once you have outlined your story, consider how you could translate your story into dance! What shape or movement could you use to show the beginning, middle, and end of the story? Record your ideas in the My Story graphic organizer using words and/or pictures.

You can also record your story and movement ideas in your notebook, in an audio recording, or using another method of your choice.

My Story
	My Story	How it Could be Translated into Dance
What happens in the beginning…
What happens in the middle…
What happens at the end…

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Story.

Activity

A dancer stands in place, eyes closed, leaning to the left, with 1 arm raised up, 1 arm pointed down, right leg bent, left leg out straight.

Try it out!

If possible, try out the movements from your story!

If you are going to try these movements, do a safety check before you begin.

Safety

Before you begin, consider these safety precautions:

Wear comfortable clothing and proper shoes for the activity. Use the appropriate equipment for the activity. Be sure to check your equipment before use. If you are unsure if the equipment you are using is safe, please check in with a teacher and/or parent/guardian. Complete the activity in a safe environment with enough space, so you aren’t bumping into any objects. Listen to your body. Do the modifications, take breaks or stop the activity if you are feeling unwell.

Portfolio

Consider adding your story and movement ideas to your portfolio.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

I have an excellent understanding of the concepts I have a very good understanding of the concepts I have some understanding but need to review some more my understanding of the concepts needs a lot more work

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

Minds On

Today’s vocabulary

Let’s get started!

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