Dance Through the Ages

Learning Area

Curriculum Area: The Arts (Dance)
Curriculum Level: Level 4

Learning Intentions

• Students will explore and understand the development of dance styles from the 1920s to 2010.
• Students will choreograph a dance inspired by a specific era, integrating various dance elements.
• Students will collaborate in groups to create a cohesive performance.

Success Criteria

• Students can identify key characteristics of dances from their assigned era.
• Students contribute to their group's choreography.
• Students perform their choreographed dance incorporating elements studied.

Preparation

Materials Needed

• Audio system for playing music
• Playlist of music from each decade (1920s-2010s)
• Research notes from previous lessons
• Costumes or props (optional)
• Video recording device (for self-review)

Classroom Setup

• Arrange desks/tables to the sides of the room to create an open space for dance practice.
• Assign designated areas for each group to plan and rehearse.

Lesson Stages

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcome and Review: Start by welcoming the class and briefly reviewing what was learned in previous lessons about the different eras and dance styles.
2. Objective Setting: Explain today's task—choreographing a dance routine inspired by the decade they have researched. Highlight the importance of integrating different dance elements to enhance their performance.
3. Group Division: Ensure students are in their pre-assigned groups based on the eras:
   • 1920s: Charleston
   • 1930s: Swing
   • 1940s: Lindy Hop
   • 1950s: Rock 'n' Roll
   • 1960s: Twist
   • 1970s: Disco
   • 1980s: Hip Hop
   • 1990s: Techno
   • 2000s: Pop
   • 2010s: Contemporary fusion

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

1. Physical Warm-Up: Lead the students in a general warm-up to prevent injuries. Include stretches and light aerobic exercises.
2. Era-Specific Movement: Briefly demonstrate iconic movements from each era. Let students practice these moves to get into the mood and style of their decade.

Main Activity (60 minutes)

Choreography Development

1. Plan (15 minutes):

   • In groups, have students discuss their research findings.
   • Decide on a song from their decade to use.
   • Begin planning the structure of their routine, including key dance elements such as formations, synchronisation, and transitions.

2. Choreograph (25 minutes):

   • Each group works on creating their routine.
   • Encourage them to integrate iconic movements from their era.
   • Walk around and provide guidance, ensuring every student is involved and on task.

3. Rehearse (20 minutes):

   • Allow groups ample time to rehearse their choreography.
   • Have them focus on timing, energy, and expression.
   • Encourage groups to film their practice runs for self-review.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

1. Group Performances:

   • Invite each group to perform their choreographed dance for the class.
   • Encourage positive feedback and constructive criticism from peers.

2. Reflection and Feedback:

   • Discuss as a whole class what they enjoyed, found challenging, and any insights they gained about how dance evolved through the decades.
   • Highlight key points about the importance of cultural context in shaping dance styles.

Extension Activities

• Research Project: Students can create a presentation or write a report about the history of dance in their assigned decade.
• Interdisciplinary Connection: Connect the students' dance routines to historical events or cultural shifts of their era.

Assessment

• Formative: Observe students' participation and engagement during group discussions and rehearsals. Provide immediate feedback.
• Summative: Assess students' final performance based on creativity, integration of dance elements, understanding of the era's dance style, and teamwork.

Key Competencies

• Thinking: Engaging with and refining choreography based on historical context.
• Relating to Others: Collaborating and sharing ideas within groups.
• Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Understanding and illustrating the language of dance from different eras.
• Participating and Contributing: Actively contributing to the group task, respecting others' opinions, and working towards a common goal.

Reflective Practice

Encourage students to reflect on their learning process and performance. Use guiding questions such as:

• What did you learn about dance from your era?
• How did you and your group work together to overcome challenges?
• What aspects of your performance are you most proud of?

By integrating historical context with creative expression, this lesson plan not only meets the New Zealand Curriculum standards but also fosters an engaging and educational environment for Year 7 students.