Overview

It would be beneficial for the students to have knowledge and/or experience with the five elements of movement, i.e. relationship, time, energy, space, and body. Cue students explicitly to experiment and be aware of the elements throughout this learning task.

Students will mirror the images of the student in front of them. Fabric will be introduced as an extension and students will be encouraged to exaggerate their dance movements.

Refer to A1 Creating and Performing and A2 Reflecting Responding and Analysing

Materials and Resources

Bolts of fabric can be purchased for this activity
Free-flowing, very long, colourful fabric is desired
Keep your eyes open for sales to purchase cheap bolts of fabric
If you cannot buy fabric and your school has a parachute, it could be substituted as bolts of fabric.
Instrumental music is recommended (no lyrics).

Pre-empt this lesson by showing students a variety of movements that can be used in this activity, remembering to use all body parts. Remind students to move slowly but dramatically.
A great activity to help move students out of rigid and predictable movements in their dances
Students have fun and it is designed to be a quiet activity
This activity will take 30-50 minutes, depending on class size, to complete each portion of the lesson. A continuation of the lesson could be scheduled later in the week or day depending on students’ interest.
Due to the nature of the lesson, the students should be reminded of the inherent safety precautions they should be aware of while creating/rehearsing/performing.

For further information, please go to Additional Comments in the last section of this document.
Sub-titles include:
- Accommodations
- Movement Knowledge
- Space Requirements
- "Hash Bash" - a performance practice technique
- Performance Etiquette
- Encouraging Movement/Physical Development
- Encouraging Cognitive Development
- Making Groups