Unit Overview

Senior Dance
On a dark blue background, a white circle with the resource title is surrounded by school supplies and the logo for ArtFusion and CODE.

ArtFusion is a collaborative effort by CODE, OAEA, and OMEA to support elementary generalist teachers in feeling confident and delivering high-quality arts programming for every art. ArtFusion First Five is one initiative of the collaboration seeking to meet the needs of teachers at the start of the school year.

For additional supports and learning opportunities, visit www.code.on.ca/art-fusion.

Lesson Overview

Lesson Focus

Anticipated Duration

Lesson 1 - Know Your Body: Anatomy of a Dancer

In this lesson, students will learn about the anatomy of a dancer, focusing on bones, joints, muscles and planes. This will aid in understanding the role of warm-ups in injury prevention and maintaining proper alignment. 

2 x 75 mins.

Lesson 2 - The 5 Ws and How of Dance (The Elements Reviewed)

In this lesson, students will deepen their understanding of the elements of dance by exploring them through the use of the 5 Ws & How framework, thereby strengthening their intention behind their choreography.

2 x 75 mins.

Lesson 3 - Choreographic Structures

In this lesson, students will explore various choreographic forms and analyze how these structures can enhance the meaning in their dance.

2 x 75 mins.

Lesson 4 - Movement and Identity

In this lesson, students begin to explore the relationship between dance, culture, and identity by examining the differences between cultural appropriation and appreciation, and reflecting on how colonization and systemic oppression have impacted dance traditions. Students learn to approach dance respectfully while using movement to tell personal or community stories.

3 x 75 mins.

Lesson 5 - Dance and Emotional Liberation

In this lesson, students begin to explore the connection between dance and access needs, oppressive pressures, and freedom by using movement to express emotions and the process of liberation in relation to barriers.

2 x 75 mins.

Teacher Tip

Any of these lessons could be extended into a larger unit by revisiting the skills of the assessment tool through multiple engagements with the creative process (spiraling) or by extending the duration/assessment approach for each of the smaller activities within the lesson. Assessment tools can be reused or segmented for formative assessments.