IDENTIFYING CHOREOGRAPHIC ELEMENTS IN DANCE

I. Topic/Grade Level: Identifying Choreographic Elements in Dance for Grades 9 and 10

II.

Standards: California State Standards for Dance (Proficient Level)

3.0 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT
History and Function of Dance
3.3 Explain how the works of dance by major choreographers communicate universal
themes and sociopolitical issues in their historical/cultural contexts

III. Goals and Student Learning Outcomes:

Goal: Identify basic elements of choreography in a history dance piece.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to identify the basic elements of
choreography while observing a historical dance piece.
Goal 1: Identify basic elements of choreography in a historical dance piece
Student Learning Outcome 1: Understand the concept of each element
Student Learning Outcome 2: Identify each element while watching dance
Student Learning Outcome 3: Observe historical dance and discover the importance of the
piece.
IV.

Learning Environment:

Class will be held in Herald Hall (our schools dance room) and is a face to face
class. Students will not be required to dress out for this lesson but will be required
to bring their iPads to class.

V.

Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3vxaH3-i2Ov0C_ey8S9TuB7js_7TRvgu

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

VI.

Diversity / Differentiation:

VII.

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 the
youtube videos from the iPad to the projector.

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VIII. Prior Knowledge: Prior to this lesson students were introduced to the basic elements of
choreography.
Lesson Placement in the Unit: This is the fourth lesson 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 class will review
the basic elements of choreography all together.
2. Direct Instruction:
The teacher will introduce the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the piece
Revelations. The teacher will discuss that the choreographer, Alvin Ailey used all
elements of choreography, and that is what they will be able to identify today.
3. Student Interaction with lesson content / Guided Practice:
Students will watch the entire Revelations piece and will take notes and list which
elements they saw, where they saw them, and how they were created.
4. Independent Practice:
Students are working individually throughout this lesson. Students will also submit their
notes through the Schoology app for points at the end of the day.
5. Review / Closure:
The teacher will end the lesson with having students share what they discovered about
the lesson. The teacher will ask the students to talk about what their favorite element is
and why.
6. Presentations:
There are no presentations for this lesson.

X.

XI.

Evaluation/Assessment:
1. Students will be assessed formally by the teacher while the teacher is grading the notes
from each student. The teacher should see that each element is identified somewhere in
the students notes.
References: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?

list=PL3vxaH3-i2Ov0C_ey8S9TuB7js_7TRvgu