Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Dance Movement

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is fundamental to establish a clear understanding of the learning objectives related to movement in dance as an art form. By clearly defining the objectives, students will be able to align their expectations and focus on the most important aspects of studying movement, paving the way for more active and meaningful participation in subsequent practical activities.

Main Objectives:

1. Explore and understand movement as an essential component of artistic expression in dance.

2. Identify and analyze different body movements and how they relate to the fundamental concepts of art.

Side Objectives:

1. Develop observation skills to perceive nuances in dance movements and their applicability in various artistic contexts.
2. Encourage a critical appreciation of the diversity of dance styles and how each uses movement to express ideas and emotions.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is crucial to connect students' prior knowledge with the content to be explored in class. The problem situations aim to awaken curiosity and stimulate critical thinking about how movement is used in dance. The contextualization helps to establish an emotional and cultural connection with the theme, increasing student engagement and providing a solid foundation for subsequent practical activities.

Problem-Based Situations

1. How do different cultures around the world use the movement of dance to express their traditions and emotions?

2. In what way can movement in dance be used to tell a story or convey a message without the use of words?

Contextualization

Dance, being one of the oldest art forms, serves as a cultural mirror that reflects the traditions, histories, and emotions of a people. From rituals to ballet performances in grand theaters, body movement is used to express what words often cannot. Exploring these aspects allows students to learn not only about dance as art but also about its ability to communicate and express in different social and historical contexts.

Development

Duration: (75 - 85 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to practically and creatively apply the concepts studied about movement in dance. Through the proposed activities, students will explore the diversity, expressiveness, and narrative ability of dance movements. This segment allows students to actively engage in the learning process, using research, creativity, and collaboration to build and present their own dance interpretations.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Dancing Around the World

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand how different cultures express identity, emotions, and stories through dance movements.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to five people. Each group will receive a specific culture or country and must research and create a dance presentation that represents a traditional or contemporary aspect of that culture. They should use movements that tell a story or express peculiarities of the chosen culture.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than five students.

• Assign each group a different country or culture.

• Give time for research on traditional or contemporary dances of the assigned culture.

• Students must rehearse and prepare a dance presentation of 3 to 5 minutes representing the culture.

• Each group will present their dance to the class, explaining the chosen movements and what they represent.

Activity 2 - Body Expression: Telling Stories Without Words

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop interpretation and body expression skills, promoting creativity and non-verbal communication.

- Description: Student groups will create a short dance piece that narrates a simple story only through body movements, without the use of words. This activity challenges students to think abstractly and use the body as a means of communication.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to five students.

• Each group chooses a short story to tell through dance.

• Students plan and choreograph a dance that narrates the chosen story.

• Rehearse the movements to ensure the story can be understood without words.

• Presentation of the dances to the class, followed by a brief discussion about the interpretations.

Activity 3 - Blend of Movements: Creating a Global Dance

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore the fusion of different dance styles and promote an understanding of how various movements can coexist and complement each other in a performance.

- Description: In this interactive activity, each student group will receive elements from different dance styles (such as ballet, hip-hop, folk dance, etc.) and must create a choreography that harmoniously and creatively mixes these styles.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of five students.

• Distribute cards with different dance styles to each group.

• Groups should briefly research the received styles.

• Create a choreography that combines the elements of the given styles.

• Rehearse to perfect the synchronization and expressiveness of the dance.

• Final presentation to the class, explaining the creative choices.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

This feedback stage is essential to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to reflect on their own experiences and learn from others. The group discussion helps reinforce the understanding of the concepts explored during the lesson and promotes a greater appreciation for the diverse forms of artistic expression through dance. Additionally, it allows the teacher to assess students' understanding of movement as a component of art and facilitate critical reflection on the activities undertaken.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, the teacher should gather all students and ask them to share their experiences from the activities. Encourage each group to talk about the challenges they faced, what they discovered about the dance culture they studied, and how they felt expressing stories and emotions through movement. Suggest that they start with a brief description of the dance they created and proceed to discuss the impact this learning had on their understanding of artistic expression through dance.

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges in trying to express a story or culture through movement?

2. How did you feel performing the dance in front of your classmates and what was the impact of this on the understanding of the message you wanted to convey?

3. How did the activity alter or reinforce your perception of dance as a form of art and communication?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage is designed to consolidate the knowledge acquired by students, emphasizing the integration between theory and practice. This moment allows students to reflect on their learning of the day and understand the relevance of dance as a form of art and communication in different cultural and personal contexts. Additionally, it serves to reinforce the application of movement concepts in dance in everyday activities and other forms of artistic expression.

Summary

In the conclusion stage, the teacher should summarize and recap the main content covered on movement in dance, reviewing the different ways cultures express their identities and emotions through dance. The main movements studied and the stories that were told through them during the students' presentations should be highlighted.

Theory Connection

The teacher should explain how the lesson connected theory with practice, highlighting the use of learned movements in creating dances that express emotions and cultures. It should be emphasized how students applied their theoretical knowledge practically to explore dance as a form of communication and artistic expression.

Closing

Finally, the teacher should discuss the importance of movement in dance in everyday life, highlighting how understanding and appreciating dance can enrich personal and cultural expression. Students should be encouraged to continue exploring dance as a tool for expression and communication in their lives.