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Handout
Ballet Austin

The History of Modern Dance

For Students 4th - 12th
The evolution of modern dance, and the dance history of many of the key figures in the development of this uniquely American form, are the focus of a 13-page packet that includes photos of revolutionaries.
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Lesson Plan
National Dance Week Foundation

Modern Dance Project

For Teachers 5th - 8th
As part of a celebration of National Dance week, class members engage in a series of exercises that introduce them to the movements of modern dance.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern & Contemporary

For Teachers 9th - 12th
An informative study of the masters of modern and contemporary dance, including Ailey, Fokine, Balanchine, Baryshnikov, and Graham, this presentation offers students some key moments in the development of 20th century dance. Great in a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Roots of Modern Dance in America

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students develop an understanding of how African culture impacted modern dance in the United States.
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Lesson Plan
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education

Pilobolus

For Teachers 3rd
After reviewing dance-specific terminology and watching a clip from the dance troupe Pilobolus, learners create dances of their own. They pair up and use the teacher's cues to create creature dances that exemplify mood and shape. Any...
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PPT
Curated OER

Isadore Duncan

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Who is Isadore Duncan? If you're a teacher of dance, you might be interested in this informative presentation. Biographical, philosophical, and personal information on the life and contributions of this famed dancer are given in an easy...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 14- Merce Cunningham: A Lifetime of Dance

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students analyze the techniques of modern dance choreography. They keep a journal as they observe the movement of people and animals. They use the movements to create a dance piece.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dance Research Essay

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Pupils discover and appreciate the history, characteristics, and significance of a specific dance style. They to pick a dance style that they are interested in and would like to research.
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Activity
Orlando Shakes

The Importance of Being Earnest: Study Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Historically, members of the upper class provide plenty of fodder for comedic writers. Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest is no exception, and a study guide for the classic play discusses some of the Victorian social issues he...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solo Dance Composition

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conclude the semester with an individual movement study utilizing basic elements of dance and choreography previously covered in class. They will choose from three choreographic prompts presented a few days before giving them...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dance Production

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students go through the experience of creating a dance. They use the correct vocabulary when creating the dance in writing. Students choreograph the steps needed to perform the dance in sequence. Then they perform the dance for final...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dance Composition

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the process and components present in a dance composition. They create their own composition for the purpose of recreating all he elements of a dance composition. The dance is written in a journal for the purpose of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jump if you feel like it

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students incorporate historical references into the modern circle dances.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Caloric Expenditure in Powwow Dancing

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the meaning of different types of Native American music and dance. They determine how this music and dance has contributed to modern music and dance. They problem solve to determine the average length of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cinquain

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create an original Cinquain (five-line poem) and choreograph movement to their poem, performing movement for class and video. This lesson addresses standards in the arts and requires a video recorder.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

MTV and Othello

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After reading Acts III and IV of Othello, give your class a fun, interactive, music-related activity. Begin by asking high schoolers about songs they have heard in movies or plays. Let them look up the lyrics online and ruminate about...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plodding Along: The Dan Wagoner Experiment

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students research Dan Wagoner and apply his choreographic ideas in "Plod" to dance study. In this art lesson, students discuss Dan Wagoner. Students select four shapes from "Plod" and connect in a dance.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

True Spin: Music

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Upper graders take a critical look at art criticism, music, and politics. They watch one segment of "True Spin," produced by VH1 music television and then discuss myths that relate to art and music. Several modern songs are analyzed...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pathways to the Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students draw a pathway and create a movement phrase along that same path using specific movement vocabulary. The phrases are performed in class and rubrics are used for assessment. Meets State standards for the arts.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Noh Theater

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers compare Noh drama to western drama and trace the influence of Japanese theater on modern western drama.  For this Noh drama lesson, students read the play Black Tomb (Kurozuko) defining the elements and conventions of Noh...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Write a Short Story

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students compare two paintings, depicting urban life in America in the 1940's, answering a series of questions, then create a short story about the paintings' characters. They compare 'Nighthawks' and 'Nightlife.'
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Abstract Art And The Impressionist Movement

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study several examples of Japanese abstract art and how this style impacted the Impressionist movement of the 19th century. This lesson includes ideas for student-created sketchbooks.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Rock and Roll: Part 10 - Up From the Underground - Lesson 1

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners discuss the effect music videos have had on the role of the music. They examine how developments in technology have effected the music industry.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Storytelling With Artists

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students retell a legend orally, illustrating it with the art style of the source culture.