A Glance at Dance Through Time
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Introduction |
Task | Process | Resources | Assessment |
Introduction
Congratulations! The National Endowment for the Arts has hired you and members of your talent agency to choreograph the opening dance for this year’s Oscar's Award Ceremony. This year’s theme is “Dancing Through Time.” Your talent agency should select a time in history to choreograph a dance that is reflective of its time period. You and your agency will perform this dance for the board members of the N.E.A. for approval. In addition to performing, your agency is responsible for portraying this time in history through choreography, costumes, a backdrop and music.
Task
In groups of three, pick a time era to study. Once you have decided which era you will be studying, you may begin your research. You will need to answer specific questions, create a collage to be used as a backdrop, find music to choreograph a dance, and present an idea for a costume; all which represent a time period in history. At the end of this assignment you will be able to identify specific events in history, recognize dances and music of a specific time era, choreograph a dance reflective of its time period, perform for the class and have a visual example of a costume and a backdrop.
1) Search and explore the web for different time periods. Pick one to research.
2) Answer questions 1-10 listed below
2.) Create a collage using photos, quotes or facts about the time period.
3) Listen to music and choose a song to choreograph to.
4) Choreograph a 30-45 second dance that represents the movement style of that era.
5) Design a costume that resembles the clothing style during that time in history. Creating a visual for the class.
6) Introduce your time period to the class, share your research, visual aides and perform your dance for the class.
Questions to answer about dance during its specific time in history.
1) What time era will you be studying?
2) Does this time era have a “name?” If so, what? How did it get this name?
3) What significant events took place during this time in history ?
4) What were some of the fads and trends of its time?
5) Explain the family unit and social graces practiced by the general public?
6) What dances were people dancing? What steps were people dancing?
7) Why did people dance? Did dance serve a role other than to dance?
8) Where did people dance? Names of clubs, ballrooms etc.
9) What music did people dance to? Name a specific song, or a group.
10) Name one or two influential dancer (s) during this time period? What did they do?
1900-1910 1920's
a/castl Irene and Vernon Castle Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers
1940’s 1950'
The Lindy Hop Rock-n-Roll, The Madison
East Coast Swing The Hokey Pokey, The Hand Jive
1960's 1970's
The Watusi The Hustle The Electric Slide
The Hitch Hiker Saturday Night Fever
in/z3disco.htm The Chicken Dance
1980's
Performance & Presentation
I. Degree to which the group completes the webquest questions, presents the material in an organized manner and showcases two well designed visuals-
1) a proposed costume design, 2) a collage of events, quotes or photos to be used as a backdrop, to the class.
II. Degree to how well the performer/s perform the choreography full out, (confidence, full body, focus,)
III. Degree to which, the choreographers use classroom time efficiently, both in the computer lab and in rehearsal, explores new
movements, refines choreography, and solves problems in innovative ways.
Choreography Elements
I. Degree to which, the dancers explore movements from it's time period and demonstrate proper steps.
II. Degree to which there is a strong, beginning, middle and end.
III. Degree to which the choreography is harmonious throughout the dance and demonstrates use of design, balance and problem solving.
IV. Degree to which the dancers choreograph a dance that is reflective of its time period and demonstrates artistic craft and organization.
V. Degree to which the dancers count the music correctly, demonstrates musical visualization and is appropriate to its time in history.
Once you have finished this webquest you will better understand social dance during another time in history and any significant roles it may or may not have played. Why do you think social dancing has changed throughout time? How is dancing different today than from the past? What are some rules of etiquette or social graces that are not practiced today? Why do you think this is so? What are some rules of etiquette practiced today? Lastly, do you have any suggestions on how to improve this lesson or ways of making it better? If so, how? Did you come across any really cool websites? If so, what? Thank you for all your hard work and good luck on your presentation!