All I Want to Do Is Dance, Dance, Dance! (Education at the Getty)

All I Want to Do Is Dance, Dance, Dance!

Grades/Level: Upper Elementary (3–5)
Subjects: Visual Arts, English–Language Arts, Dance
Time Required: 3–5–Part Lesson
Four 50-minute class periods
Author: Patricia Berger, Fifth Grade Teacher
Canterbury Avenue Elementary, Los Angeles Unified School District

Permissions:
The lesson plan and downloadable materials on this page are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.


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Lesson Overview




	Disco Dance, Alec Atienza, Canterbury Avenue Elementary, Los Angeles Unified School District

Students will observe dance movements depicted in a drawing and a painting. Partners will use simple lines to draw their partner's movements and paint dance costumes on the figures using various brushstrokes. Students will write a persuasive speech to the school superintendent explaining why they believe dance should be a regular part of the curriculum. They will then model dance movements for classmates in teams of four and recite their persuasive speech to the class.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:
• use the language of formal analysis (elements and principles of design) to discuss what they see in each work of art.
• pose as if they are dancing while a partner creates gesture sketches.
• use varied brushstrokes to paint costumes on dancers and backgrounds they sketch.
• write and recite a persuasive speech explaining why they believe dance should be taught in public schools.
• teach the steps of their favorite dance to a small group of four students.

Materials

• Reproduction of Ballet Dancers Rehearsing by Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas
• Reproduction of Dance before a Fountain by Nicolas Lancret
• Chart paper and/or white board and markers
• Drawing pencils and erasers
• 8 1/2 x 11–inch white copy paper
• 9 x 12–inch drawing paper
• Watercolors
• Various brushes
• Cups of water
• Student Handout: "Persuasive Writing Outline"
• Student Handout: "Persuasive Writing Checklist"
• CD player or iPod to play music for student dance demonstrations

Download
this lesson
(RTF, 322KB)

Ballet Dancers
Rehearsing, Degas,
about 1877

Dance before a
Fountain, Lancret,
about 1730–1735

Student Handout:
Persuasive Writing Outline
(PDF, 16KB, 1p.)

Student Handout:
Persuasive Writing Checklist
(RTF, 245KB, 1p.)

Lesson Steps

Part 1: Sketching Dancers

1. Display a reproduction of Ballet Dancers Rehearsing by Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas. Ask questions to guide discussion:

What do you notice in the drawing?
What do you notice about the people? What can you tell from what they are wearing?
What do you think they are doing? What do you see that makes you say that?

2. Discuss the movement of the figures in the drawing and chart students' responses to the following questions:

Where do you see figures moving?
How are the arms and legs moving?
What else do you see that shows movement? How can you tell it is moving?

Point out that the artist depicts movement by drawing wavy lines in the dancers' skirts.

3. Ask students what kinds of dancing they enjoy. Then call on a student volunteer to pose as if dancing. Model how to create a quick gesture sketch of the student. For instructions on creating a gesture sketch, view the art activity "Create a Gesture Sketch."

4. Have students work in pairs, posing for each other as if doing their favorite dance. The observing partner will do simple gesture sketches (on 8 1/2 x 11–inch copy paper) to depict how their partner's arms, legs, and feet move.

Part 2: Painting Movement

1. Display a reproduction of Dance before a Fountain by Nicolas Lancret. Ask questions to guide discussion:

What do you notice about the painting?
What do you notice about the people? What do you think they are doing? What do you see that makes you say that?
If you were in the painting, what sounds would you hear?
What kind of music would you hear?
What do you notice about the setting?
What kind of occasion might this be? What do you see that makes you say that?
How do you think the people in the painting feel?

Point out to students that social dancing, like the kind depicted in the painting, was very popular in the 18th century. In fact, learning basic dance steps was an important part of the training that the middle class and aristocracy received while learning appropriate behavior in society. Ask students how and where they learned the dance that they sketched in Part 1.

2. Discuss the movement of the figures in the painting and chart students' responses to the following questions:

Where do you see figures moving in the painting?
How are the arms and legs moving?
What else do you see that shows movement? How can you tell it is moving?

Point out to students how the white dress worn by the woman in the center of the painting looks as if it is moving. Also point out that the pink-and-blue cape worn by the man with the pink hat shows movement. The artist is able to depict movement by painting wavy lines in the fabric.

3. Return to the students' gesture sketches. Have students choose one of sketches that they think best represents their favorite dance form. Have them use the gesture sketch as a guide for a new drawing. Distribute 9 x 12–inch drawing paper. Model how to use rectangles instead of lines for the figure's legs and arms. Allow students time to draw on the drawing paper. Have them add a face and a costume to their figure. Instruct them to consider what types of dance costumes are appropriate for the type of dance they are depicting (e.g., fancy gown for ballroom dancing, t-shirt and jeans for break dancing).

4. Distribute watercolor paints, brushes, and cups of water. Tell students to use the watercolors to paint the figures and costumes on their drawings. Instruct students to use sweeping brushstrokes to create wavy lines to show the movement of clothing or hair.

5. Students will paint a background that shows where the scene is taking place (at a party, on stage, etc.). Encourage lively strokes with lines showing movement.

Part 3: Persuading People to Dance

1. Ask students if they like to dance. Remind them that learning basic dance steps was an important part of training received by the middle class and aristocracy in 18th-century France. Tell students that dance is not often taught in schools today, and ask them if they would like to learn how to dance in school and why?

2. Teach students the persuasive writing format. Tell students that the goal is to get the reader to agree with their opinion about something. Students should be able to prove that their opinion really matters. For this assignment, students will write a persuasive speech explaining to the school superintendent why dance should be a regular part of the curriculum.

3. Share instructions on pre-writing. Tell students to list reasons for their opinions about the topic. They should be informed with facts and/or examples to support their points. Have students discuss with others their opinions as well as opposing opinions. Tell them to draw a two-column chart (t-chart) with the headings "Pros" and "Cons" and fill in the chart.

4. Teach students about the different ways to write leads for persuasive writing, giving some examples. You can discuss the following methods that use:

a strong visual image
dialogue
facts and statistics about the topic
an emotional anecdote
a personal story

5. Pass out and model the use of the "Persuasive Writing Outline" handout. Be sure that students write their position statement in positive terms. Have them also list their supporting reasons and details so that the strongest reason is either first or last.

6. Find and share examples of persuasive essays, both powerful and weak, with students. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each, and identify language that was powerful.

7. Have students write the first draft of their speech.

8. Then pass out the "Persuasive Writing Checklist." Have students use it to be sure they include all components in their drafts. Students will either peer-edit or self-edit, and revise their writing by using the checklist.

Part 4: Persuading and Dancing

1. Review with students your expectations for oral presentations, including some tips for overcoming nervousness, such as the following:

practice in front of the mirror at home
practice deep breathing—breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth 3–4 times before speaking
pick a friendly face or a point on the back wall to speak to
alternate looking at the audience and looking at your paper

2. Tell students that they will be working in small groups of four to teach each other a dance move of their choice. Have them come to class with music to accompany the dance move. Arrange a space large enough for each team to work together.

3. Allow students to teach each other the dance moves in their small groups.

4. End the lesson with students' oral presentations of their persuasive speeches.

Ballet Dancers Rehearsing, Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas, about 1877

Assessment

Students will be assessed on:
• their use of the language of formal analysis (elements and principles of design) to discuss what they see in each work of art.
• their varied brushstrokes to paint costumes on dancers and backgrounds they sketch.
• their written and orally presented persuasive speech explaining why they believe dance should be taught in public schools.
• their demonstration of a favorite dance to a small group of four students.

Extensions

• Social Studies: As part of a unit on immigration, students can research dances from their country of origin and create paintings that reflect traditional costumes. Students can incorporate their paintings onto a presentation board about their country, their family history, and family tree, including interviews with ancestors and artifacts.
• Math: Students can create a survey that classmates will complete after the dance lessons. Using the responses, they create appropriate graphs for specific answers (e.g., favorite dance, hardest to learn, easiest).

Standards Addressed

Common Core Standards for English Language Arts

Grades 3–5

WRITING
3.5 With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 3.)
4.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
5.5 With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 5.)

SPEAKING AND LISTENING
3.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
3.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
4.2 Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
4.3 Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker or media source provides to support particular points.
5.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
5.3 Summarize the points a speaker or media source makes and explain how each claim is supported by reasons and evidence, and identify and analyze any logical fallacies.

LANGUAGE
5.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

Visual Arts Content Standards for California State Public Schools

Grade Five
2.0 Creative Expression
2.2 Create gesture and contour observational drawings.
2.7 Communicate values, opinions, or personal insights through an original work of art.

English–Language Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools

Grade Five
Writing Applications
2.4 Write persuasive letters or compositions.
Speaking Applications
2.2 Deliver informative presentations about an important idea, issue, or event.

Dance Content Standards for California Public Schools

Grade Five
Creative Expression
2.5 Convey a wide range of feeling and expression through gestures, posture, and movement.
2.6 Demonstrate cooperation, collaboration, and empathy in working with partners and in groups.

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