INTRODUCTION TO ELEMENTS OF CHOREOGRAPHY

I. Topic/Grade Level: Introduction to Elements of Choreography for Grades 9 and 10

II.

Standards: California State Standards for Dance (Proficient Level)

Standard 2.0- Creative Expression
Application of Choreographic Principles and Processes to Creating Dance
2.2- Identify and apply basic music elements (e.g., rhythm, meter, tempo,timbre) to
construct and perform dances.

III. Goals and Student Learning Outcomes:

Goal: Introduce the 5 Basic Elements of Choreography to the students.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to identify each of the elements of
choreography and be able to demonstrate how each are used.
Goal 1: Students will be introduced to the 5 Basic Elements of Choreography
Student Learning Outcome 1: Understand the concept of each element
Student Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate each element physically
IV.

Learning Environment:

V.

VI.

Resources:

http://www.balletaustin.org/education/documents/ElementsofChoreography
Handout.pdf

Students will need their iPads to use their Schoology app and any note taking app
they use.

Diversity / Differentiation:

VII.

Class will be held in Herald Hall (our schools dance room) and is a face to face
class. Students will be required to dress out for this lesson as well as bring their
iPads to obtain class materials.

Class is a mix of ninth and tenth graders. One student has Down Syndrome and
needs assistance with getting her iPad started and requires assistance by the
teacher to stay focused.

Technology Inclusion:

Students will be using their iPads which will allow them to use whatever note
taking app they choose, their Schoology app, and their Webquest for this unit. The
teacher will be using the projector, iPad, and the Reflector app to project materials
from the iPad to the projector.

2
VIII. Prior Knowledge: Prior to this lesson students have been studying ballet, jazz, hip hop,
contemporary, and Broadway style dance.
Lesson Placement in the Unit: This is lesson first of twelve in the Choreography Unit.
IX.

Procedures:
1. Lesson Introduction / Anticipatory Set:
Class will begin with a quick prayer and attendance being taken. The teacher will also
write down students who are not in proper dance attire worn for class. The teacher will
have students reflect on the choreography from the Contemporary unit. Students will
discuss as a class how the dance made them felt, and what they thought made the dance
special.
2. Direct Instruction:
The teacher will instruct the students to open their iPads, access Schoology, open their
Webquest and find the resources page with the elements of choreography pdf. The
teacher will begin to go through each elements of choreography (Shapes,
Action/Movements, Time, Space, Force/Flow). The students should be taking notes as
each element is discussed.
3. Student Interaction with lesson content / Guided Practice:
In between discussing each element the teacher and students should stop taking notes
and get up to physically demonstrate what each element may look like for a dancer. This
is a time for students to have fun and play around with each element, as that is the basis
of choreographyplaying until you feel youve created something worth sticking with.
4. Independent Practice:
Students are working as a class during this time of play, but will be required to review
their choreography from their Contemporary unit for the following day.
5. Review / Closure:
The teacher will end the lesson with the encouragement for students to come to class
excited the next day because they will be manipulating choreography they already
know with the new elements they learned today.
6. Presentations:
There are no presentations from students this lesson.

X.

XI.

Evaluation/Assessment:
1. Students will be assessed informally by the teacher throughout the whole lesson by
observation of students participation and time spent physically demonstrating each
element of dance.
References: Brown, P. (n.d.). Elements of Choreography- Tools you can use to create
dance. Retrieved from

http://www.balletaustin.org/education/documents/Element

sofChoreographyHandout.pdf