Dinosaur Tracks and Floor Patterns

Today we learned about dinosaur tracks through dance! We discussed quickly about how they were formed and preserved then learned about 4 different dinosaurs and what their tracks might have looked like. Each dinosaur was very different in how they moved and lived so we showed that through dancing different movement qualities.
Brontosaurus- Slow, Big, Heavy, Bound, Walk, Strong 
Allosaurus- Fast, Sharp, Slash, Jab, Run
Ceratopsian (Triceratops) - Tetrahedron (3 body parts touching the ground), Slow, Stomp, Pushing
Pterosaur (Pterodactyls)- Fast, Smooth, Glide, Light, Jab, Stretching, Free

We then discussed that paleontologist often found a series of dinosaur tracks and would have to determine what the dinosaurs were doing based off the pathways the dinosaurs took. We then explored 3 different pathways we can use in dance (staight, curved, and zig zag). 

Lastly, the class was split into 4 groups, each representing a different dinosaur. They then had to creates their own dance using the 3 different floor patterns while still showing their dinosaurs unique way of moving.

Here's a link to the lesson plan...

Teaching how Movement Qualities can portray different Personalities

Today we learned the 8 basic locomotor steps and 4 different movement qualities (sharp, smooth, heavy, and light). We compared those qualities to different personalities and how they could be portrayed through movement. Each student decided which movement quality matched best with their personality and then made their own signature dance move using that quality. Lastly, they got into groups of 4-5 and taught everyone each of their dance moves then put them into a specific order. They performed each of their dances for the class to show how different personalities can work together to make something great.



This was a great first lesson to help get the students familiar with basic movement and to help them realize that it's okay to move differently and make the movement their own to show their individual creativity and personalities.

Here's a video that better explains the 8 locomotor steps we learned. 

 

Here's a link to the lesson plan...

http://chandlerartsbridge.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html