Unit Overview

Intermediate 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: Safe Space in the Dance Classroom

In this lesson, students will participate in a variety of simple movement activities and games that will foster safety and a sense of community in the dance classroom. This will include circle games and games that require locomoting throughout the general space in the room, so students learn to move safely and respectfully with one another. 

2 x 40-60 minutes

The timing of these activities can easily be extended or shortened, per your needs, and could be used ongoingly as a warm-up or vocabulary review at the beginning or end of any class

Lesson 2: The Significance of Dance in our Communities

Students will explore a variety of dance forms and their cultural and/or historical context. They will analyze the importance of dance in their own lives, as well as the influence these dances have/had on society.   

2-3 x 40-60 Minutes

Lesson 3: Elemental Partner Dance 

This lesson is a deeper dive into learning and effectively using the elements of dance. Students will work with a partner and create a movement sequence based on a variety of elemental criteria.  

2-3 x 40-60 minutes

Lesson 4: Choreographic Devices and Manipulations

Building on their movement sequences from the last lesson, students will be introduced to choreographic devices and how they can be effectively used to manipulate their dances. 

1-2 x 40-60 Minutes

Lesson 5: Dancing Social Justice

Working in small groups, students will choose a social justice issue that is meaningful to them to represent through movement. Groups will combine all their learning from this unit to create a dance that conveys a message of social justice and change.  

3 x 40-60 Minutes