**Lesson Plan: Introduction to Choreography**
**Grade Level:** Junior Secondary 1 (Equivalent to US grades: 6-7)
**Subject:** Cultural and Creative Arts
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Objectives:**
1. Define choreography and its role in dance.
2. Understand basic elements of choreography: space, time, and energy.
3. Develop simple dance sequences using learned elements.
4. Encourage creativity and collaboration among students.
**Materials Needed:**
- Music player and selected music tracks
- Open space for dancing (classroom with desks moved aside, gym, or dance studio)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Paper and pencils
**Lesson Outline:**
### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Welcome and Attendance:**
- Take attendance and ensure all students are present and ready.
2. **Introduction to Choreography:**
- Write the word "Choreography" on the whiteboard.
- Ask students if they know what choreography is. Encourage them to share their thoughts.
- Define choreography: "Choreography is the art of creating and arranging dances. It involves planning movement sequences and integrating them with music."
3. **Brief History and Importance:**
- Explain briefly how choreography has evolved over time and its importance in various cultural contexts.
### Body (40 minutes)
**Part 1: Choreographic Elements (20 minutes)**
1. **Space:**
- Discuss how space is used in dance (personal space vs. general space, levels, directions).
- Activity: Have students spread out and practice moving within their own space, varying levels (high, medium, low) and directions (forward, backward, sideways).
2. **Time:**
- Explain the concept of timing in dance (rhythm, tempo, duration).
- Activity: Play different music tracks with varying tempos. Have students experiment with moving to the beat, speeding up, and slowing down.
3. **Energy:**
- Describe energy in dance (force, flow, sharp vs. smooth movements).
- Activity: Demonstrate a few movements with different energy qualities (e.g., sharp jumps vs. smooth glides). Have students mimic and then create their own movements.
**Part 2: Creating a Simple Dance Sequence (20 minutes)**
1. **Group Formation:**
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 members each).
2. **Guided Practice:**
- Give each group a piece of paper and pencil.
- Allow them to select a music track.
- Instruct each group to create a 30-second dance sequence using the elements discussed (space, time, energy). Encourage them to write down their sequence if needed.
3. **Rehearse:**
- Give groups time to practice their sequences.
4. **Presentation:**
- Have each group present their choreography to the class.
- After each performance, give them positive feedback and highlight how they used the choreographic elements.
### Conclusion (10 minutes)
1. **Reflection:**
- Ask students to reflect on the activity. What did they enjoy? What was challenging?
- Discuss how choreography can communicate stories and emotions without words.
2. **Wrap-Up:**
- Summarize the lesson by revisiting the key points about choreography and the elements used.
- Remind students that creativity and expression are at the heart of dance and choreography.
3. **Homework Assignment:**
- Ask students to watch a dance performance (live or recorded) and identify elements of choreography (space, time, energy) used. They should write a short reflection on their observations.
**Assessment:**
- Observational assessment during activities.
- Group presentations.
- Reflection assignments.
**Additional Notes:**
- Ensure safety in the workspace: clear any obstacles and remind students to be mindful of their surroundings.
- Encourage students to respect each other's creativity and work collaboratively.