Description

This lesson will give the students an opportunity to apply the elements of dance (body, space, time, energy, relationship) to jazz studies and compositions.

Learning Goals

  • Apply the elements of dance and knowledge of jazz technique to the creation of short jazz combinations.
  • Demonstrate the stylistic characteristics of jazz as they relate to the popular music selected.

Materials

  • Choose appropriate accompaniment
  • Choreograph a short sequence in a jazz style.

Minds On (Approximately 15 minutes)

Jazz Choreography

  • Instruct a short jazz combination applying movements taught earlier in this unit.
  • Discuss the importance of music to jazz and the reasons for choosing the accompaniment to the piece.
  • Students work in small groups to modify the combination by adding their own arm and head movements and creating directional and pattern changes. Students must apply the elements of dance (body, space, time energy, relationship) when altering the teacher’s choreography.
  • Groups share their variations with the class.

Action! (Approximately 45 minutes)

Jazz Composition

  • In small groups, students create a movement study incorporating the elements of jazz from a particular decade identified earlier (e.g. blues, tap, swing, hip hop) Each group shares its sequence with the class and then teaches it to the other groups.

Consolidation (Approximately 10 minutes)

  • Observe and provide feedback during the learning process using on-going checklists.
  • Together and with the students, observe the variations of the jazz routine presented by the small groups and provide feedback. Students devise a checklist or rubric to use.
  • Students assess their own work using the same checklist or by writing in their reflective journals.

Notes/Assessment/Differentiated Instruction/Resources

Consider creating or purchasing wall posters that present the Elements of Dance to allow students to refer to while choreographing.