Integrating the Arts

www.integratingthearts.yolasite.com

By: Carol Schneider

Title:  Elements of Geometry Using Dance Movement

Grade Level:  5th

Subject:  Math

Content Covered:  Geometry – Angles, Triangles, and Polygons

Materials Needed:

·         CD player with music

Procedure:

1.      Review the three elements of dance with students.

a)      Space – big, small, high, medium, low, curved, straight, forward, backward, sideways, diagonal, circular, zigzag, near, and apart.

b)      Energy – Strong, weak, heavy, light, smooth, sharp, swing, active, and passive.

c)      Time – slow, fast, acceleration, deceleration, natural time, and steady beat.

2.      Review movement through space (crawl, roll, walk, run, leap, jump, hop, skip, gallop, slide, etc…).  Use only those movements that your room permits.

3.      Explain to students that you will call out a geometric shape, such as “acute angle”, and they are to move through space tracing the shape in the air and/or on the floor with different body parts as the music plays.  When the music stops, they need to find a partner or two and identify and demonstrate the shape with using only their bodies.  Remind students to include the three elements of dance (space, energy, and time) as they move through space. 

4.      Continue with other concepts such as:  obtuse angle, right angles, triangles, and polygons.

5.      Always debrief at the end of the lesson so students know what they were supposed to learn.

Extension:

This lesson can be adapted to fit any content in any subject area.   Examples:  planets, size, water flow, natural disasters, etc…

 

 

 

Assessment:

Geometry Dance Rubric

 

3

2

1

Total

Dance Elements

The student included 3 or more dance elements in their dance.

The student included 2 dance elements in their dance.

The student included 1 or less dance elements in their dance.

 

Movement through Space

The student included 3 or more different movements in their dance.

The student included 2 different movements in their dance.

The student included 1 or less different movements in their dance.

 

Geometric Shape

The geometric shape was recognizable to others.

The geometric shape was somewhat recognizable to others.

The geometric shape was not recognizable to others.

 

           

Total points_____________/9.

Teacher Comments:

            I used this lesson as an informal assessment and review.  This activity works well in the gym or outside.

Resources: 

This lesson is adapted from Lesley University Instructor of Creative Movement professor Priscilla Harmel.