Lesson Overview:
This lesson introduces students to the French vocabulary of ballet. They will learn basic ballet vocabulary through verbal instruction and technological instruction. Students will then associate the basic ballet vocabulary with the corresponding physical movements.
Length of Lesson:
Three 45-minute class periods
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- be introduced to classical ballet vocabulary and movement
- learn some of the basic ballet leg and arm positions
- understand why most ballet terminology is in the French language
Instructional Plan:
Warm Up
Explain to students that many of the dance steps and dance terms used in ballet come from the French language. Inform students that this is because ballet was popularized in France by King Louis XIV. Explain to students that Louis loved ballet so much that he took dance lessons everyday. He started the first school of ballet, and his ballet master, Pierre Beauchamps, created special steps for the king alone to perform.
Guided Practice
Tell students that they are going to learn a few basic ballet terms and the corresponding dance positions. Explain to the students that there are five basic positions in ballet, from which all the other dance steps are derived. Have the class view the five positions and go over the following definitions. (Note: You may wish to team-teach this lesson with a dance or physical education teacher, in which case students could actually perform the positions. See the Extension for more information.
First Position or Première (prehm-YAHR)
- In this position, the heels and knees are together, with the legs turned out from the hips toes pointed out so that the feet make a V-shape. Ideally, the feet form a straight line, or a 180-degree angle. The arms are out and in front of the torso, forming a soft curve. The spine is straight, and the head, back, and pelvis are aligned.
Second Position or Second (se-GOHND)
- In this position, the legs are again turned out from the hips, but the feet are separated about shoulder length apart, still in a V-shape. Eventually, with practice, the feet may form a straight line. The arms are out to the sides and slightly rounded.
Third Position or Troisième (trwah-ZYEM)
- Keeping the legs turned out from the hips, the dancer crosses the front heel about halfway in front of the other foot, touching it at the middle. Either foot can be used. If the right foot is in front, the right arm is raised overhead in a semicircle. The left arm is extended out to the side. If the left foot is in front, then the left arm is overhead and the right arm is extended.
Fourth Position or Quatrième (kah-tree-EHM)
- With the legs still turned out from the hips, one foot is placed directly in front of the other, with the forward heel directly in front of the toe of the other foot. There is a space of about twelve inches between the feet. If the right foot is in front, the right arm is raised overhead in a semicircle.
Fifth Position or Cinquième (san-KYEM)
- With the legs turned out from the hips, the heel of the front foot is placed against the first joint of the other big toe. The arms are lifted and extended overhead into a soft circular shape
Once students are familiar with the basic positions, introduce them to some of the fundamental barre exercises and dance steps. Tell the students the names of some of the steps, as well as what they mean in French. The students should guess what the steps look like. To start, tell the students that one of the basic steps is called a plié. Explain that plié means "to bend" in French. Ask students what they think this step might look like. (Ask students already familiar with ballet to refrain from answering at first.) After you have elicited responses, explain to the students that a plié is a basic bending and stretching of the knee. Pliés are good warm-up exercises because they stretch all the muscles of the heel and leg. Have students view a dancer performing a plié at the American Ballet Theatre's Online Dictionary. Note that the dancer begins and ends in first position.
Independent Practice
Write the following words and translations on the board and ask the students to choose one step to illustrate, based upon the French meaning.
changement: to change
pas de chat: cat step
battement: to beat
grande jeté: large "throwing step"
Have the students choose one term, and write down what they think the word means in regards to dance. Have the students draw a figure demonstrating what they believe the movement would look like. The drawing may be as simple as a stick figure, and include arrows or a series of pictures to show what they think the movement may look like. Give the students several minutes to complete the task. Have them share their responses with the class. You may also wish to have the students demonstrate what they think the movement looks like.
After the students share their responses, reveal the definitions of the dance steps, and have the students view the movements at the American Ballet Theatre's Online Dictionary.
Distribute the Vocabulary handout and allow students to explore the online dictionary. (Note: Not all of the entries in the online dictionary contain a visual representation of the step.)
Assessment:
Have the students write the French terminology on one side of an index card and its definition on the other. Have the students test each other using these flash cards. Students should be able to pronounce and define the positions and steps.
Extensions:
If the class is being taught, or team taught, by a dance or physical education teacher, the students may actually perform the five basic positions, and some of the basic steps. (Note: students should not only attempt to perform advanced steps, such as pas de chat. Rather, they should focus on basic movements such as plié.)
Be sure to take the students through a warm-up exercise before beginning the physical exercise.
For more information on using dance in the classroom, see these ARTSEDGE "How-To" articles:
Sources:
Friedman, Lise. First Lessons in Ballet. New York: Workman Publishing, 1999.
Authors:
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Scholastic Inc.
New York, NY
