Minds On

Let’s get started!

Press the following tabs to access today’s vocabulary.

A sequence of movements used to express a feeling, an idea, or a story. Movements can be planned (choreographed) or improvised (made up on the spot).

A person who creates or performs dance.

Consider where dance exists in your life.

For example: extra-curricular dance classes, participating in dance classes at school as part of the Arts or Physical Education curriculum, attending a dance performance, or watching competitive dance shows, such as So You Think You Can Dance?

How would you define “dance” and “dancer” in your own words?

Record your ideas using a method of your choice.

A dancer, having their back to the camera, and is dancing with both arms raised in the air

Action

Get ready, get set…

One of the many functions of dance is for entertainment purposes. In Canada, for many years before the internet, professional dance for entertainment generally took place in traditional theatres, and the performances usually consisted of Western forms of dance, like ballet and modern. The tickets were limited and expensive.

As social media platforms, like YouTube and TikTok, have become mainstream, performers of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, varying body types, and abilities have been given a platform to share their dances widely.

The popularity of shows, such as So You Think You Can Dance?, and TikTok dances has also helped broaden the definitions of what is considered “professional” dance and who is considered a dancer.

Consider the following dancers:

Access this video entitled ”Dancing Professionally with Cerebral Palsy” to learn more about different dancers.

Explore this video to learn more about different dancers.

Check out this video entitled “Panlong | Phillip “PacMan” Chbeeb” to learn more about different dancers.

Go!

How have these videos challenged or affirmed your understanding of what dance is and who can be a dancer?

Portfolio

Portfolio

Using the following graphic organizer, consider how media (e.g., YouTube, competitive dance shows, TikTok, etc.) has shaped our understanding and access to dance.

Complete the Access and Understanding of Dance 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.

Access and Understanding of Dance
Aspect of dance How media
has impacted it 		Examples
Access (who gets to explore dance? And where?) Sample answer: Anyone with an internet connection can access dance performances from home or school. Sample answer: Watching America’s Best Dance Crew.
How has the definition of a “dancer” changed?
How has the definition of “professional” dance changed?

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Access and Understanding of Dance. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Consolidation

Putting it all together

Consider the following questions:

  • In what ways has media had a positive impact on dance?
  • In what ways has it had a negative impact on dance?

Record your ideas in a notebook or another method of your choice.

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…

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