Minds On
Today’s vocabulary
Press the following tabs to access definitions of the concepts we will explore in this learning activity.
Part of a larger dance piece. Dancers connect choreographed or personal movements (movement vocabulary) to form a sequence. A dance sequence is longer than a phrase but shorter than a section. It may be performed in isolation or be part of a larger dance piece. It conveys a sense of rhythmic completion and contains a beginning, middle, and end.
Important ideas in dance, which include the following:
- body - The instrument of dance. The term body may also refer to the body’s position or shape (e.g., curved, straight, angular, twisted, symmetrical, asymmetrical); also, how the body is moving (e.g., using locomotor or non-locomotor movements).
- energy - The force with which the body moves (e.g., light, strong, sustained, sudden).
- relationship - The way in which two or more things are connected to or associated with one another (e.g., dancer to dancer, dancer to object, or right arm to left arm).
- space - The physical area in which the body moves; also, the area surrounding the body.
- time - An element of dance involving rhythm, tempo, accent, and duration. Time can be based on measured beats, as in music, or on body rhythms, such as breath, emotions, and heartbeat.
A person who plans and creates dance pieces.
Let's get started!
There are many important issues in our society today (e.g., the climate crisis, mental health, etc.). Consider what issues are important to you.
Complete the Issues Mind Map 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.
You may compare your answers to the answers in this example.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
- What issues resonate with you?
- Are there any issues you would add?
Record your thoughts in a notebook or another method of your choice.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Task 1: Inspiration for dance
Revisit the mind map from the Minds On section.
Select one of the issues you would like to explore further. Use the following graphic organizer, or a method of your choice, and expand on the topic of your choice.
Complete the Expand on Issues 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.
Examine your mind map. What is your response to this issue?
Create a short written, audio, or video response that describes how you feel about this issue. Why is it important to you? Be as descriptive as possible. Use actions words (i.e., verbs) or words that describe your emotions from the sample word bank. You will use these to create your dance piece in the next section.
| Sample word bank | ||
|---|---|---|
|
concerned involved desire change incite dismantle unearth |
frustrated disappointed difference unfair discover transform inspire |
passionate erase concerned explore expose extract illuminate |
Go!
Task 2: Creating a dance sequence
Revisit the response you created at the end of the last section. Highlight or underline keywords that illustrate how you feel about the issue. Focus on your response to the issue, rather than the issue itself.
Dance can be a powerful way to communicate a message. Consider how the elements of dance might be used to communicate how you feel about this issue.
Press the following tabs to access important information about elements of dance and choreographic forms.
Elements of dance
| Body |
What is your body doing? Consider the following questions: What different body bases could you use to create a shape with your body? What different body parts could you move? How many different locomotor and non-locomotor movement could you create? Could you create symmetry in your body? What about asymmetry? What kinds of angular shapes could you make? What kind of curved shapes could you make? |
|---|---|
| Space |
Where is your body moving? Consider the following questions: How could you move at a high, middle, or low level? What different pathways could you travel (in a straight line, in a zigzag, backwards)? If you are dancing with someone else, how is it different when you dance close together vs. far apart? |
| Time |
When is the body moving? (in relation to time) Consider the following questions: How could you move at various speeds (e.g., fast, medium, slow)? How it is different dancing to music vs. dancing without music? Could you add a pause or a moment of stillness into your movements? |
| Energy |
How is the body moving? Consider the following questions: How could you move lightly (e.g., as if you are a balloon floating through the sky, as if you are an astronaut in outer space? How could you move as if your body was heavy (e.g., as if you were pushing a big piece of furniture across the floor, as if you were moving through thick mud)? What is an example of a sudden movement? What is an example of a sustained movement? |
| Relationship |
Who or what is the body moving with? Consider the following questions: How might dancers meet or part in a dance piece? How could emotions or facial expressions be added to movements? How could you move around, under, or over a prop? |
Narrative form
Narrative form is 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). Italics for: Swan Lake.
Description
A carousel of 3 images depicting an example of choreographic form.
Image 1: Two people walking towards each other.
Image 2: Two people high-fiving each other.
Image 3: Two people walking away from each other.
Site-specific dance
Site-specific dance is a dance that is created for a specific location. The dance can only be performed in a particular location because the physical environment is part of the dance.
Theme and variation (A, A1, A2)
A choreographic form that consists of a core phrase (A) followed by one or more variations (A1, A2, etc.) The variations are achieved by altering one or more elements of dance.
Call and response
This is a choreographic form in which one soloist or group performs a dance phrase (call) and a second soloist or group responds by imitating the dance phrase or by responding to the call (response).
Description
A carousel of 5 images depicting call and response.
Image 1: Two people standing next to each other.
Image 2: Person A bends their knees motioning to person B. Person B observes.
Image 3: Person A raises their hands up. Person B observes.
Image 4: Person A remains with their hands up. Person B bends their knees.
Image 5: Both person A and person B stand with their hands raised up.
Use the following graphic organizer, or a method of your choice, create a short dance piece that communicates your response to your chosen issue.
Use the following checklist to guide you.
My dance response
Have I used:
Have I considered:
Did I remember:
Complete the My 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.
|
My topic: |
|
|
Words that describe my response (choose 4-6 words) |
My words are: |
|
My dance plan |
|
|
Use words and/or images to plan your dance piece |
|
|
Use the following example to guide you Word Example: unsure |
How this might be translated into dance: The dancer stands at a high level on both feet, facing the audience. They have both hands out to the side, arms slightly bent, as if in a shrugging position. 
|
|
Word #1 |
|
|
Word #2 |
|
|
Word #3 |
|
|
Word #4 |
|
|
Word #5 (optional) |
|
|
Word #6 (optional) |
|
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access My Dance.
If possible, rehearse your dance piece and share it with a partner.
Always be sure to do your safety checks before you do an activity.
Before you begin, check:
Safety
Before you begin, consider these safety precautions:
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Portfolio
Review your learning
Use the following questions to reflect on your learning. Consider adding your answers to the reflection questions to your portfolio.
- Describe your experience of creating a dance piece about an issue that’s meaningful to you.
- If you had to create this piece again, is there anything you would add or change?
- Do you prefer to have a choice about the topic of the dance pieces you create? Explain your thinking.
- If someone else choreographed a dance piece on this topic, how might it be similar? How might it be different?
- How can analyzing dance improve your skills as a dancer and choreographer?
Record your responses using a method of your choice.
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.