Minds On

Today’s vocabulary

Press the following tabs to access today’s vocabulary.

A structure that organizes movements. Compositional forms may be defined as narrative or patterned (e.g., canon, call and response, retrograde, ‘A B A’, rondo). Explore also compositional form; dance form.

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.

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).

Let’s get started!

Dances are organized using structures called choreographic forms.

Choreographic forms can be narrative form or pattern form.

Familiarize yourself with a few examples of choreographic forms that are used in dance.

Press the following tabs to access examples of choreographic forms.

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, Swan Lake).

Teacher A and Teacher B are walking towards each other from either side then they are meeting and giving each other a high 5. Teacher A and Teacher B are passing each other and walking in opposite directions.

A two-part choreographic pattern form with an A theme and a B theme. The form consists of two distinct, self-contained dance sequences or sections. Teacher A is standing with arms raised above head and Teacher B is crouching at a medium level.

A three-part choreographic pattern form with an A theme and a B theme in which the second section contrasts with the first section and the third section restates the first section in a condensed, abbreviated, or extended form.

Teacher A is standing with arms raised above head and Teacher B is crouching at a medium level. Then, Teacher A again is standing with arms raised above head

A choreographic form in which one soloist or group performs a dance phrase (call) and a second soloist or group respond by imitating the dance phrase or responds to the call (response).

Teacher A is doing a pose/movement that indicates they are motioning to Teacher B, and Teacher B is doing a pose/movement that indicates they are responding to Teacher A’s movement.

A choreographic form in which a dance or movement sequence is performed in reverse order (e.g., a dance phrase performed from back to front). A teacher is doing 3 simple movements/poses and then repeating them in reverse.

Are you familiar with any of these choreographic forms?

Why do you think a choreographer might use a choreographic form when creating dance?

Record your response using a method of your choice.

Action

Get ready, get set…

Task 1: Choreographic forms

Similar to music, dance can be analyzed by examining its different sections or parts. Different choreographic forms can be used to communicate different ideas. Consider the following questions.

Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.

Task 2: Using choreographic form to communicate meaning

Two people use choreographic form to communicate different ideas through dance. The first person communicates day-time by standing with their arms stretched over their heads towards the sky. The second person communicates night-time by kneeling on the ground, body resting on their knees, arms outstretched, and their forehead resting on the ground.

Let’s explore how choreographic forms can help us communicate ideas through dance. Select one of the following ideas or themes or come up with your own idea. Which choreographic form would work best with these ideas?

Press the following tabs to access the choreographic form that a choreographer might use to help communicate each of the following ideas.

Binary form ‘A B’

Tertiary form ‘A B A’

Narrative dance

Call and response

Retrograde

How does the choreographic form contribute to the meaning of the piece?

Record your ideas using a method of your choice.

Go!

Task 3: Choreographing with a choreographic form

Using the following graphic organizer, plan a choreography to communicate one of the ideas or themes selected in the previous section, using the chosen choreographic form. Use the following example to help guide you.

Summer vs. winter themed choreography

Press the following tabs to access a binary ‘A B’ choreographic form..

Start in a small ball on the ground and slowly rise to a standing position with arms outstretched above head in a circle (making the shape of the sun).

Take four quick steps forward, with light energy. Arms are above the head, waving slightly back and forth.

Come to stillness and slowly drop hands to side and tilt face upwards and freeze.

This is an image showing three different dance movements. First movement: A person is in a standing position with arms outstretched above head in a circle. Second movement: Arms are above the head and legs are taking steps forward. Third movement: Hands are dropped to side and the face is tilted upwards.

Take four heavy, slow steps forward at a medium level.

Take four steps side to side at a medium level, moving arms side to side with each step.

Move around in a scattered pathway with arms waving above the head.

Come to stillness and brings hands down, wiggling fingers (spirit fingers).

This is an image showing four different dance movements. First movement: A person is taking four slow steps forward at a medium level. Second movement: A person is taking four steps side to side at a medium level, moving arms side to side with each step. Third movement: A person is moving around in a scattered pathway with arms waving above the head. Fourth movement: A person is coming to stillness and is bringing hands down and wiggling fingers (spirit fingers).

Tip: Try to think of 3-4 movements to create a short movement phrase for each section. Draw on your knowledge of the elements of dance to help you

Press ‘Elements of Dance’ to access different prompts that might guide you.

Elements of Dance

Body

What is your body doing?

Consider the following questions:

What different body bases is the dancer using to create shapes with their body? What different body parts is the dancer using? How many different locomotor and non-locomotor movements are used in the dance? Is the dancer creating symmetry or asymmetry with their body? What kinds of angular shapes are being used (e.g., angular, geometric, curved, organic)?

Space

Where is your body moving?

Consider the following questions:

Is the dancer moving at a high, middle, or low level? What different pathways are being used in the dance piece (straight, zigzag, backward)? If there are multiple dancers, are they dancing close together or far apart? What formation are they dancing in (e.g., a line, circle, scattered formation, etc.)?

Time

When is your body moving? (in relation to time)

Consider the following questions:

What speed is the dancer moving at (e.g., fast, medium, slow)? Is the dancer dancing to music? What kind of music (e.g., a solo drummer, instrumental music, a popular song, etc.)? Did the dancer use pause, freeze, or a moment of stillness in their piece?

Energy

How is your body moving?

Consider the following questions:

How was the dancer moving? (e.g., lightly as if they were a balloon floating through the sky or heavy as if they were pushing a big piece of furniture across the floor)? Did the dancer use sudden movements? Did the dancer use sustained movements?

Relationship

Who or what is the body moving with?

Consider the following questions:

If there is more than one dancer in a piece, how are the dancers interacting with each other (e.g., do they meet and part, are they moving in unison, etc.)? How did the dancer use emotions or facial expressions to enhance their movements? Was the dancer using props in their piece?

Choose one of the following graphic organizers that matches your idea or theme. Record your ideas using the graphic organizer of your choice.

Portfolio

Portfolio

Consider adding this document to your portfolio.

For a binary (‘A B’) form:

Complete the Graphic Organizer for Binary (‘A B’) Form 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.

Graphic Organizer for Binary (‘A B’) Form
Idea or theme selected:

A Section:

Write or draw your ideas here:
B Section: Write or draw your ideas here:

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Graphic Organizer for Binary (‘A B’) Form. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

For a tertiary (‘A B A’) form:

For a tertiary (‘A B A’) form
Idea or theme selected:

A Section:

Write or draw your ideas here:
B Section: Write or draw your ideas here:

A Section:

Write or draw your ideas here:

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Graphic Organizer for Tertiary (‘A B A’) Form. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

For a narrative Form:

Complete the Graphic Organizer for Narrative Form 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.

Graphic Organizer for Narrative Form
Idea or theme selected:

Beginning:

Write or draw your ideas here:
Middle: Write or draw your ideas here:
End:

Write or draw your ideas here:

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Graphic Organizer for Narrative Form. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

For a call and response form:

Complete the Graphic Organizer for Call and Response Form 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.

Graphic Organizer for Call and Response Form
Idea or theme selected:
Call Section:

Write or draw your ideas here:
Response Section: Write or draw your ideas here:

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Graphic Organizer for Call and Response Form. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

For a retrograde form:

Complete the Graphic Organizer for Retrograde Form 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.

For a fetrograde form:

Graphic Organizer for Retrograde Form
Idea or theme selected:
Original Dance Sequence:

Write or draw your ideas here:
Dance Sequence in Reverse: Write or draw your ideas here:

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Graphic Organizer for Retrograde Form. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Consolidation

Putting it all together

Portfolio

Portfolio

Review your learning

  • What was your experience of using a choreographic form to organize a dance piece?
  • How can choreographic form help communicate an idea to the audience?
  • How might your dance piece have been different if you had used a different choreographic form?

Record your ideas using a method of your choice.

Consider adding your work to your portfolio.

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

I feel…

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.