Geometry in Dance

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Mathematics
Arts Education

Grade(s)

3, 4, 5

Overview

In this lesson, students observe symmetry, geometric shapes, and angles in two Early American dances, and then choreograph their own dance with symmetrical figures. Three options are provided in this lesson depending on the time in class.  In all three options, students will observe symmetry in dance. 

Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 3

MA19.3.26

Recognize and describe polygons (up to 8 sides), triangles, and quadrilaterals (rhombuses, rectangles, and squares) based on the number of sides and the presence or absence of square corners.

UP:MA19.3.26

Vocabulary

  • Attribute
  • Category
  • Sub-category
  • Opposite sides
  • Angles
  • Quadrilateral
  • Triangle
  • Pentagon
  • Hexagon
  • Septagon
  • Heptagon
  • Octagon
  • Polygon
  • Square
  • Trapezoid
  • Rhombus
  • Rectangle
  • Two-dimensional

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that shapesin different categories may share attributes and that the shared attributes can define a larger category.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Identify two-dimensional shapes.
  • Sort shapes according to number of sides.
  • Sort quadrilaterals based on the presence or absence of square corners.
  • Draw examples of squares, rectangles, and rhombuses.
  • Draw quadrilaterals that are not rhombuses, rectangles, and squares.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Attributes of a shape help make decisions about how to categorize the shape.
  • Certain attributes are needed to belong to the subcategories of rhombuses, rectangles, and squares.
  • Sometimes a shape does not have the attributes needed to belong to the subcategories of rhombuses, rectangles, and squares.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 4

MA19.4.27

Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines, and identify these in two-dimensional figures.

UP:MA19.4.27

Vocabulary

  • Point
  • Line
  • Line segment
  • Ray
  • Right angle
  • Acute angle
  • Obtuse angle
  • Perpendicular lines
  • Parallel lines
  • Two dimensional figure
  • Vertex
  • Angle measure

Knowledge

Students know:
  • defining characteristics of geometric figures, such as points, lines, line segments, angles (right, acute, and obtuse), parallel lines, and perpendicular lines.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse).
  • Draw parallel and perpendicular lines.
  • Identify points, lines, line segments, rays, angles, parallel lines, and perpendicular lines in two-dimensional figures.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • points, lines, line segments, angles (right, acute, and obtuse), parallel lines, and perpendicular lines are defining characteristics of two dimensional shapes.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 5

MA19.5.22

Classify quadrilaterals in a hierarchy based on properties.

UP:MA19.5.22

Vocabulary

  • Quadrilateral
  • Hierarchy
  • Two-dimensional
  • Properties
  • Attributes
  • Polygon
  • Rectangle
  • Rhombus
  • Square
  • Trapezoid
  • Parallelogram

Knowledge

Students know:
  • properties or attributes of two-dimensional shapes.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Classify quadrilaterals based on properties.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Quadrilaterals can be identified by general properties to more specific properties.
  • Properties belonging to a category of two-dimensional figures also belong to all subcategories of that category.
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 3 - Dance

AE17.D.3.3

Recognize choreographic devices to create simple movement patterns.

UP:AE17.D.3.3

Vocabulary

  • prompts
  • use elements of dance
  • movement problem
  • choreographic devices
  • structure
  • dance phrase
  • concept and inspirations for choreography
  • feedback and revision
  • dance study
  • notation
  • dance phrase

Essential Questions

EU: The elements of dance, dance structures, and choreographic devices serve as both a foundation and a departure point for choreographers.
EQ: What influences choice-making in creating choreography?

Skills Examples

  • Use a variety of prompts for inspiration (i.e., music/ sound, text, objects, images, notation, observed dance experiences).
  • Find a way to travel across the floor only using a low level.
  • Select a choreographic device and create a dance phrase (i.e., retrograde, scramble/ deconstruct, transposition, inversion, or fragment).
  • Create a short movement phrase and perform with "sad" emotion then "happy" emotion. Discuss how the movement changed.
  • Discuss and use peer feedback or instructor feedback.
  • Create a floor map, using different colors for different levels of movement.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 4 - Dance

AE17.D.4.1

Identify ideas for choreography generated from a variety of prompts and source materials.

UP:AE17.D.4.1

Vocabulary

  • choreography
  • prompts
  • movement problem
  • elements of dance
  • choreographic devices
  • dance study
  • artistic intent
  • dance phrase

Essential Questions

EU: Choreographers use a variety of sources as inspiration and transform concepts and ideas into movement for artistic expression.
EQ: Where do choreographers get ideas for dances?

Skills Examples

  • Use music, sound, text, objects, images, notation, observed dance, or experiences to create a dance phrase.
  • Perform a dance phrase using three different levels.
  • Perform a dance phrase that alters the timing of the movement.
  • Create a trio from a solo by performing movements in a three-part canon.
  • Create a dance based on the maid idea of "water" or "fire" and explain how the movement choices that were made express your topic.
  • After performing short dance study, reflect on possible changes that could have been made and use peer feedback to revise movement.
  • Draw a formation or pathway of dancers using symbols.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 5 - Dance

AE17.D.5.1

Develop content for choreography using ideas generated from a variety of prompts.

UP:AE17.D.5.1

Vocabulary

  • choreography
  • prompts
  • movement problems
  • choreography
  • elements of dance
  • choreographic devices
  • structure
  • codified movement
  • style
  • dance study
  • concept and inspiration for choreography
  • dance study
  • feedback and revise
  • notate

Essential Questions

EU: Choreographers use a variety of sources as inspiration and transform concepts and ideas into movement for artistic expression.
EQ: Where do choreographers get ideas for dances?

Skills Examples

  • Create movement from spoken word, text, poetry, images, or nature.
  • Create a dance with a beginning, middle, and end that includes zigzag pathways and changes in energy.
  • Manipulate movement by utilizing choreographic devices such as retrograde, mirroring, or transposition.
  • Utilize ballet movement to create a story.
  • At the end of a dance study, reflect in a journal what changes were made during the process, why were they made, and what was the end result.
  • Record changes in choreography in a dance journal.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Arts Education (2017) Grade(s): 5 - Dance

AE17.D.5.10

Demonstrate a series of dance phrases using fundamental dance skills.

UP:AE17.D.5.10

Vocabulary

  • Space: shapes and pathways
  • dance phrase
  • movement phrase
  • rhythm
  • explore
  • core to distal movement initiation
  • Embody
  • safe practices and injury prevention
  • performance goals
  • alternate performance venue
  • production elements

Essential Questions

EU: Dancers use the mind-body connection and develop the body as an instrument for artistry and artistic expression.
EQ: What must a dancer do to prepare the mind and body for artistic expression?

Skills Examples

  • Create a movement sequence that involves still shapes in various levels along with moving shapes through jumping, rolling or other dynamic movement (i.e., X-jump, C-jump, floor roll).
  • Improv with a call prompt "bound" and other associated words with focus on what body part is starting the movement. Follow with "free" and other associated words with focus on the initiation point. Only explore each for a short period and discuss. Could be done in small groups and they can teach the movement created, or discussed as a class as part of a larger improv.
  • Practice step touch, pivot turn, three-step turn, and clapping.
  • Discuss ways to promote muscular strength, endurance, and injury prevention. Promote healthful eating and good nutrition as proper food for the body.
  • Keep an ongoing list of personal dance goals.
  • Identify ways to improve performance qualities and collaborate with peer group to establish a list of group goals to apply to practice for a dance.
  • Perform a dance in two different locations, such as an auditorium and outdoor venue.
  • Incorporate a fog machine, strobe light, and backlit cyclorama to enhance an eerie dance.

Anchor Standards

Anchor Standard 5: Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

Custom
https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/5c8b17ce-1b19-4e43-a91c-02cbb6f79310…

Custom License Type (URL)

https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/help/terms-of-use/

Comments or Notes

Log into the website https://aptv.pbslearningmedia.org/.  It will align the standards to the Alabama COS. Also, more activities and lessons are provided once logged in.  

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