In this lesson, students will learn that compositional elements are the foundation to a dance piece, just like bricks and mortar are the foundation for a house. They give a piece development, meaning, and direction. They inform the audience of whether or not the piece is abstract or conceptual.

Different styles of dance can use the elements of dance and choreographic forms to effectively convey meaning.

Guiding Questions
  • What are compositional elements?
  • How can literary devices can help us understand choreographic forms in dance?
  • How can choreographic forms and the elements of dance help you to express key messages of your dance work? 
Learning Goals

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • identify various choreographic forms
  • use the compositional elements terminology when speaking or critiquing about dance
  • use choreographic forms to enhance the message of their duets
  • work collaboratively with their partner to integrate new learning into their dance piece
Readiness

Students will have completed their solos and have worked on their duet and they should now have an understanding of how a movement phrase comes together. By completing the previous activities, students will access their prior knowledge about composition and they will be able to identify and explore various compositional tools.

Terminology
  • Compositional Elements
  • Repetition
  • Motif
  • Theme and Variation
Materials

Note: Consider a substitute for the Three Little Pigs that features repetition, theme and variation, a motif, and a clear beginning, middle, and end. The Three Little Pigs proposes ableist and classist views that blame the pigs for the aggression of the wolf and vilify rest (e.g., if disabled folks are unable to work hard, they do not deserve safety or they are expendable). If you choose to use The Three Little Pigs, consider challenging these messages.

Minds On (~70 minutes)

Whole Class > Reading a Children's Book

Explain to students that you will read them the story Three Little Pigs and, as a class, you will  investigate how literary devices can help us understand compositional elements in dance. Direct students to listen for ways the author creates tension, builds excitement, suspense, and anticipation. 

Prompt: 

  • What techniques do they use?
  • How do these relate to dance?

Read or watch The Three Little Pigs or a suitable substitute. Ask students to consider how the author is using techniques discussed above and explore some of the following examples:  

E.g. #1: "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow the house down" - anticipation/suspense is built through the use of repetition

E.g. #2: The repetition of the Wolf visiting each Pig's house - this is called a motif in dance (a re-occurring movement that links the storyline together)

E.g. #3: All the Pigs lived in a different building but were threatened by the wolf -  this is called theme and variation in dance.

E.g. #4: Notice how the author uses the format of beginning, middle and end - this is used in dance composition as well.

Assessment for Learning (AfL)

Students' knowledge of literary devices will assist students in making the connection to the compositional tools, forms and structures in dance. The minds on activity can be used as a diagnostic piece.

Action (~40 minutes)

Whole Class > Discussion of Choreographic Forms and Compositional Elements

Explore CODE's Compositional Elements / Éléments de composition to explore the various compositional elements and to become clear about the differences. Discuss with the class what role compositional elements play in dance.

Key Questions for Discussion
  • What are compositional elements?
  • What are choreographic forms?
  • How can choreographic forms help to develop the form and structure of your choreography?
  • How might implementing choreographic forms assist in making your dance piece more effective?
  • What choreographic form(s) will you choose to help communicate the message of your piece?
  • How do compositional elements work together to make a dance piece effective?

Small Group > Storybooks

Put students into small groups of four or five and handout a children's storybook to each group. As they are reading the book have students put a post-it note on any literary devices that relate to compositional elements and/or choreographic forms. Afterwards, instruct students to share one or two connections that the group made and give specific examples using text from the storybook.

Pairs > Exploring Compositional Elements and Making Artistic Choices

Encourage students to continue producing and revising their duet. Ask student to build on their duet using the choreographic forms and compositional elements learned. Refer to CODE's Compositional Elements / Éléments de composition for a list of compositional forms. Encourage students to make choices about the title of the work, music, costuming, performance space, audience location, entrances and exits, etc.

Consolidation (~30 minutes)

Whole Class > Reflection

Invite students to discuss how The Three Little Pigs exploration helped them to learn about dance composition.

Individual > Collage

Instruct students to identify compositional forms that were used in their duet and find a creative way to embed these concepts into their collage. Encourage students to also use images and words to document the process of working with someone else. (i.e., successes, challenges, self-learning)

Teacher Tip: Students should know the terms Interpersonal and Intrapersonal and should be encouraged to use these words on the collage. 

Whole Class > Handout of Summative Rubric of Character Duet

Go through PDF #5 again to ensure students understand the criteria for the final presentation of duets. Allow time for students to seek clarification and ask questions.

Assessment for Learning (AfL)

Look at each students' collage as a check in to assess students understanding of the lesson.