UNTRAINED

Response through Visual Representation
Topic/Theme Learning Experiences
Response through
Visual
Representation
1. Students to discuss their reaction to the performance and decide on the dancer/performer to which they most relate.
2. Students to create an artwork representing their emotional response to this performer and their part in the production. Students
should consider colour, line, shape and mood as well as a title. The title of the piece should be incorporated in the artwork.
NB Students should be encouraged to plan their work (design) and use multi-media/digital techniques where possible
3. Students to explain their artwork to the class justifying their choice of materials and style.
Introduction to Contemporary Dance exploration (Movement)
Topic/Theme Learning Experiences
Introduction to
Contemporary
Dance Exploration
Blended shapes
1. Establish a ‘safe space’ where the following activities will take place. Ensure all students understand importance of respecting all
interpretations by their colleagues during these activities.
2. Conduct physical warm-up with students. (Refer ‘Classroom Management Strategies’ offered earlier in these notes)
Make sure the area you are working in is clear with adequate space for the following movement activities
3. General Movement/Body Awareness Activities (for both activities emphasise the importance of varying speed, height and direction)
• Ask students to wander around the space
• Ask students to play a game of ‘follow the leader’
4. Improvisation Activities
• Introduce the game “What am I doing?” to the students. In this game students sit in a circle, one student is in the middle of the
circle miming an activity e.g. brushing my teeth. Another student asks them what they are doing. The student miming should
reply a different action to what they are doing e.g. walking the dog. The new student then gets up and mimes this new activity.
This continues until all students have had a turn.
• Play the game “Space Jump” with students. Also done in a circle, in this game a student in miming an activity. After a short
time the teacher should call ‘Space Jump’. The student in the circle is to freeze. At this time, another student should enter the
circle and begin a new mime based on the frozen position of the original student.
NB I would not recommend going higher than about 4 students when attempting space jump for the first time.
1. Ask students to form into groups of 5 - explain activity. Students will be working together to create shapes that complement each
other. e.g. if one student is in a ball, the next may curve over their back. Choose one group to begin the activity as an example.
2. Students to work on activity aiming to have all members in complementary positions
3. Repeat activity using contrasting shapes.
NB Having images of complementary and contrasting shapes may help students understand how to complete this activity.
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