Hello parents
It has been a few weeks since I posted about Dance, so here is an overall update of what we have been doing in recent weeks!
The grade six students requested the opportunity to create an ABA structured dance “like grade seven and eight.” This chance was too good to miss! So the students investigated what an ABA format looked like (two motifs, contrasting each other but both reinforcing the expressive intent: Motif A and Motif B, with the revisit of Motif A showing different kinds of manipulation of that motif). They also investigated the ways in which motif could be developed and manipulated while still a) maintaining the integrity of the expressive intent and b) keeping the movements specific to the motif. This is a challenging exercise for our enthusiastic students, but they have been working very hard on it. Along the way they have used the Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process to critique each other and spot assessing and critiquing from me. They are learning the importance of rehearsal and are getting to grips with the idea that “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect” (a quote by Vince Lombardi).
This first real opportunity to self choreograph will be presented on February 4 during the Grade Six assembly. The students will be responsible for sorting their own costuming and design
Our highly motivated Sixes haven’t stopped there – they still want to do hip hop! While time will be admittedly short, we will try – and if successful they will appear with grade 3-5 on March 10. If they require more time, I will put together an in-class performance, to which of course parents are welcome.
Enjoy the enclosed links as a sample of what they have been doing! They have been asked to put all links on their websites, so you can see more examples there.
Grade six ABA dances http://youtu.be/RhEL6lG0F_8
http://youtu.be/Ok4xQX-bwjY
http://youtu.be/UhCQLsUXEzU
http://youtu.be/W5HnOmwNSXU
http://youtu.be/_IV1oGiC1Q8