Description

Students will be introduced to basic jazz technique. Technique will be taught continuously throughout these lessons (at least 40 minutes per 75 minute class). Daily exercises and combinations focus on building technical ability, vocabulary and complexity of patterns. Students’ execution of movement will be assessed daily and evaluated at the end of this unit.

Learning Goals

  • Demonstrate basic jazz dance technique.
  • Demonstrate the ability to memorize and perform complex dance patterns.
  • Understand the importance and benefits of the class warm-up routine.

Materials:

Minds On (Approximately 15 minutes)

  • It is understood that every jazz technique class will begin with warm up exercises and end with cool- down exercises.

Action! (Approximately 30 minutes)

Introduction to Jazz Technique

  • Demonstrate introductory jazz technique (see BLM#1 - Basic Jazz Technique and Class Structure).
  • Design exercises and classes to gradually build and develop technique with consideration for flexibility, strength, cardiovascular endurance, etc.
  • Use a variety of teaching/learning strategies such as: demonstration, mirroring, pair-share, cooperative group learning, guided improvisation, etc.
  • Students will have opportunities to practise, apply the feedback given by the teacher and to redo their explorations.

Consolidation (Approximately 20 minutes)

  • Assess students’ technical progress through observation and provide on-going feedback to the students.
  • Videotaping for documentation may be helpful if the students are comfortable with it.
  • You may wish to use a quiz to assess the students’ knowledge of jazz terminology.
  • You may wish to pose questions related to technique for the reflective journals (e.g., a look at use of arms in jazz, a reflection about technique which the student finds challenging.)

Notes / Accomodations/ Modifications

  • Students are presumed to have little or no formal jazz background. Diagnostic assessment must be conducted to determine the technical level of the students so that technique may be taught in a safe, appropriate manner.
  • On-going assessment of the student’s progress will assist in planning appropriately for the students’ needs and abilities.