**Lesson Plan for Cultural and Creative Arts - Junior Secondary 1**
**Topic: Contemporary Dance**
---
**Grade Level:** Junior Secondary 1
**Lesson Duration:** 60 minutes
**Subject:** Cultural and Creative Arts
**Topic:** Contemporary Dance
---
**Objectives:**
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Understand the basic concept and history of contemporary dance.
2. Identify key characteristics that distinguish contemporary dance from other dance forms.
3. Demonstrate basic contemporary dance movements.
4. Exhibit creativity and express emotions through contemporary dance.
5. Appreciate the cultural significance of contemporary dance.
---
**Materials Needed:**
- Multimedia projector or large screen
- Speakers
- Internet connection or pre-downloaded dance videos
- Open space for dance practice
- Comfortable dance attire
- Writing materials (notebooks, pens)
---
**Lesson Outline:**
**1. Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Welcome and settle the students.
- Briefly discuss what students know about dance in general.
- Questions: "What types of dances do you know?", "Have you heard of contemporary dance before?"
- Introduce the topic: "Today, we're exploring contemporary dance!"
**2. Historical Background and Characteristics (10 minutes)**
- Show a short video that explains the history of contemporary dance and its evolution over time.
- Ensure the video is engaging and age-appropriate (about 5 minutes long).
- Discuss the video and highlight key points.
- Explain how contemporary dance originated in the early 20th century.
- Discuss how it incorporates elements of classical ballet, modern dance, and jazz.
- Identify and list key characteristics: fluidity, expressiveness, grounded movements, emphasis on strong body lines.
**3. Demonstration and Exploration (15 minutes)**
- Show another short video or live demonstration of a contemporary dance performance.
- Point out specific movements and ask students to observe the grace, flexibility, and emotion conveyed through dance.
- Briefly explain some basic movements (e.g., plié, tendu, relevé, contractions, releases).
- Encourage students to ask questions about the movements and their purpose.
**4. Practical Session (15 minutes)**
- Warm-up exercises: Lead a series of stretches and light exercises to prepare students' bodies for movement.
- Guided practice: Teach students a short, simple contemporary dance routine, emphasizing fluidity and expression.
- Break down the routine into manageable steps, ensuring students understand and can follow along.
- Play suitable music that helps students feel the rhythm and mood of the dance.
**5. Creativity and Performance (8 minutes)**
- Divide students into small groups and give them a few minutes to come up with their own short contemporary dance piece based on what they have learned.
- Allow each group to perform their piece for the class.
**6. Reflection and Discussion (2 minutes)**
- Gather the students for a brief reflection on the lesson.
- Ask: "How did it feel to create your own dance?", "What did you enjoy most?", "What challenges did you face?"
- Discuss how contemporary dance allows for personal expression and creativity.
**7. Closing and Assignment (2 minutes)**
- Summarize the key points of the lesson.
- Assign a short written task: "Write a paragraph describing your experience with contemporary dance today and how you think it reflects different emotions."
- Encourage students to practice the routine at home and explore more contemporary dance videos online.
---
**Assessment:**
1. Observation of students during the practical session and performance to gauge their understanding and application of contemporary dance movements.
2. Evaluation of the creativity and expressiveness in their group performances.
3. Review of the written assignment to assess their reflection and understanding of the lesson.
**Reflection:**
Consider how students engaged with the lesson and whether they met the objectives. Adjust future lessons based on these observations to better cater to the needs and interests of the students.
---
**Note:** Ensure a supportive and positive environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and trying new movements without fear of judgment.