Lesson Overview:
In this lesson, students will be introduced to jazz dance and jazz music. They will explore basic jazz dance movements, and will create a cinquain poem inspired by jazz music.
Length of Lesson:
Two 45-minute periods
Notes:
This lesson is particularly suitable for Grade 4.
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- introduced to jazz dance and jazz music.
- explore basic jazz dance movements.
- create a cinquain poem inspired by jazz.
Supplies:
- Visuals of jazz musicians and dancers
- Jazz music recordings
- Video of jazz dancing
- Sound System
- VCR or DVD Player
Instructional Plan:
Background
Jazz dance is more popular in the United States than in Europe. It started with African-American dancers in the U.S. and it combines elements of tap and show dancing. Some important people in jazz dance were Katherine Dunham and Jack Cole. Jazz dance is based on Afro-Caribbean dance, with a theatrical flair. It was influenced by dance forms from Indian, Brazilian, and Cuban sources.
Jazz dance has rules like ballet, but the form arose from a need to be more free and flexible than ballet. You need to be able to isolate parts of the body as well, and keep a rhythm. Think of the body as a jazz instrument.
What makes jazz dance different from other kinds of dance? There are many styles: clean and cool, abstract, sensuous, and energetic. Jazz dance may be fast, or slow and lyrical. As a form, it is often associated with musicals.
Warm Up:
Have some jazz music playing as students enter. Ask students some general questions. Write key words from their responses on the board:
- "What kind of music is this?"
- "What are the basic elements of jazz?"
- How is jazz alike or different from some other kinds of music?"
- "Jazz is also a form of dance. What do you know about the jazz dance form?"
- "Jazz dance and jazz music both utilize improvisation. What is improvisation?
- Where else is improvisation used?" (Theater, art, life)
Students can learn more about the elements of jazz by viewing this Kennedy Center Cuesheet resource,
What is Jazz?.
Guided Instruction:
Lead a class in the basics of jazz dance, as abbreviated and appropriate for your class and grade level. If you are not a dancer yourself, collaborate with a dance instructor at your school or even with a student who has studied jazz dance. You can also use elements from instructional videos, including some aerobic dance routines.
The jazz dance class may include the following:
- Floor stretches: pelvis rocks, alignment check (lying on the back), as well as sitting, butterfly, parallel, and 2nd position stretches
- Center floor: plies (use jazz hands, use parallel and turn-out foot positions during plies) foot articulations, tondues, isolations
- Center, moving: three-step turns, slides, chases
- Across the floor: walking patterns, Jazz walk
Students should understand terms commonly used in jazz music and dance, including the following terminology:
- jazz dance
- accent
- isolate
- rhythm
- unison
- improvisation
Listen with students to several recordings of jazz music. Explain to students that jazz dance and music both developed around the same time in the early 1900's. After listening to the first song, have students offer descriptive words for the music. Write these descriptors on the board, and follow the same process as students listen to each song. Students will use their words for their independent activity.
Independent Activity:
"Now, while you listen, create a poem. The form we will use is called a cinquain. Here is the form." Write the following on the board:
- noun
- two adjectives, describing the noun
- three verbs or adverbs
- phrase that tells about the noun
- repeat the noun
Distribute paper and pencils and allow students to work on their cinquains. Encourage them to incorporate the descriptive words about jazz on the board. You may wish to have students share their poems with the class, if time permits.
Assessment:
Use the Assessment Rubric to evalute students' progress. Since the dance classroom is primarily dependent on participation, you may wish to consider attitude and participation as additional, separate areas of evaluation.
Extensions:
Students can learn more about jazz instrumentation and improvisation through an interactive lesson on improvisation at Jazz for Young People.
Sources:
Print:
- Cohan, Robert. The Dance Workshop, A Guide to the Fundamentals of Movement. Simon and Schuster, 1986.
Media:
- "An Evening with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater." (1986). A Danmarks Radio/ZDF/RM Arts co-production in association with ORF. Licensed worldwide by NVC Arts International
- "The Great Jazz Legends." (1995). Four-CD compilation by Javelin Promotions, Inc. Suite 600, 39 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203.
- Various compilations by Capitol Records. 1750 N Vine, Hollywood, CA 90028 (including Rodgers and Hart, Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, and Irving Berlin).
Web:
Authors:
-
Brian Ziegler, K-6 dance and drama educator
Lake Anne Elementary School
Reston, VA
