Learning Goals

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to …

  • Review the elements of dance through the 5 Ws & How framework
  • Strengthen movement vocabulary
  • Improvise movements to reflect each element
Materials
Terminology

Minds On

Whole Class > The 5 Ws & How of Movement 

Students spread out in the room, ensuring that they have their own space in which to move. Briefly review the elements of dance. (See Elements of Dance Descriptions). Posters could be posted on the wall. Although there are 5 elements of dance, we are also going to include Movement. Call out a “question word” and students respond as though they are answering the question with their bodies (a movement, a gesture, an action, etc.) Prompt them with the question words one at a time, skipping the why question for now.

Teacher Prompts: 

  • Who is moving? Try moving just one body part. Now expand from that isolated movement to doing something a little more whole-bodied. And FREEZE! Bring your attention to this shape.
  • What are you doing? Choose an action. Try doing the action repeatedly. Notice how the quality changes. Freeze in a shape that is reflective of your action. Be aware of this shape.
  • When is the movement happening? Doing the same movement, explore different speeds. Add pauses or sudden bursts. Freeze. Be aware of how you got to this pose.
  • Where does this movement occur? Travel through space with your movement (encourage students to move freely around the room). Be aware of your personal space and the space as a whole. Freeze. Take note of shape and location.
  • How is the movement done? Imagine your movement was taking place in space…now in water…if you were a robot…if you were really excited. Freeze. Think about how the same movement differed through each prompt.
  • Why do you do what you do? Think of a memory, person or object you are connected with. Move in a way that depicts what that connection means to you.

Have the students regroup. Ask (review), which element of dance was used to answer each of the questions.

  • WHO - Body
  • WHAT - Movement
  • WHEN - Time
  • WHERE - Space
  • HOW - Energy
  • WHY - Relationship

Teacher Prompt: A dancer (who) moves (movement) through time (time) and space (space) with energy (energy) relating (relationship) to their surroundings.”

You may wish to refer to Appendix 3 - 5 Ws & H Elements of Dance Anchor Chart.

Action

Individual > 5 Ws & H Movement

Post chart paper around the room. Each piece of chart paper will have the element and the associated question word written on the top. Students circulate the room and brainstorm various prompting questions that could be asked to help explore that element and the question word. Once they have had the opportunity to contribute to all posters, give the instructions for the task they will be completing (see PDF #5 5 Ws & H Movement Assignment and Checklist. Remind students to focus on their intention. Provide them with the success criteria or co-create the success criteria with them. As students are creating, play various instrumental pieces of music for them to explore. They can also pick their own music, or their movement can be done in silence. 

Circulate around the room, providing feedback and guidance. After students have created their movement phrases, they can workshop them for each other, giving and receiving peer feedback. Give students time to fine-tune their piece, considering their feedback. Students will then perform their movement phrase for the class.

Consolidation

Individual > 5 Ws & H Movement Journal

In their journals, have students reflect.

Questions for Reflection:
  • What was the intention behind your movement phrase?
  • Which of the 5 Ws & H did you find easiest/hardest to express?
  • How did peer feedback influence your final performance?
  • If you could revise your piece again, what would you change?
Assessment for Learning (AfL)
  • Teacher observation
  • Anecdotal notes
Assessment as Learning (AaL)
  • Peer feedback (as students workshop with each other, before presenting to the class)
  • Student journal (reflecting on the activity and how it applies)
  • PDF #3 5 Ws & H Movement Assignment and Checklist
Assessment of Learning (AoL)
  • Movement phrase (performance task) evaluated by the Checklist
  • PDF #4 5 Ws & H Elements of Dance Journal Reflection Rubric