2.4 Dance

Arts and culture

Grade 4

Expression and communication

Module 9

Dance

Dance

Activity 1

To warm up before you dance [lo 4.2]

Before you can attempt any of the activities, you must warm up your body.Warming up reduces the risk of injury and will make the dances easier to do.

It will be easier and more fun if you warm up with music. Choose music that is not too fast.

• Stand with feet a hip width apart, feet facing forward, arms down at sides.
• Move head down, up, side-to-side (repeat eight times).
• Describe semicircles with your head from right to left, then left to right (repeat eight times).
• Raise right shoulder, then left shoulder alternately (repeat eight times).
• Rotate right shoulder, then left shoulder alternately (repeat eight times).
• Combine head and shoulder exercises:

 head up, down, right, left, rotate

 shoulders up, down, rotate

 repeat eight times

You are free to use any combination you like; the above-mentioned is only an example.

• Extend arms outward horizontally.
• Bring arms forward horizontally.
• Raise arms straight above your head.
• Drop straight arms back to starting position.
• Combine arm movements and repeat eight times.
• Bend upper body forward at waist and lift (repeat eight times).
• Bend and straighten knees, feet facing forward (sitting on a chair) (repeat eight times).
• Raise heels by standing on toes (repeat eight times).
• Combination:

 bend upper body forward and up

 raise heels and lower

 repeat eight times

Now combine all the exercises. Start from the head and repeat four times. The warm up should take at least three minutesand no longer than ten minutes.

Activity 2

Using the robot dance to explore different ways in which the body parts can move individually and in combinations [lo 4.1]

You must warm up before starting the Robot Dance. This dance can be done to music. The Robot Dance works best with Hip Hop, Rap or Funk.

Choose three moveable body parts, e.g. head, left leg, right arm.

• Move the three body parts consecutively.

 Combine and isolate two or three moving parts of the body in simple co-ordinations, e.g. head, arm or leg movements.

 Show your combination to the rest of the class and have them copy your movements.

 Think of moving your dance in a straight line.

 Think of moving your dance in a pattern.

Activity 3

To illustrate with the the clown dance (a) the ways in which parts of the body can move individually and in combination, and (b) the combination of sound and movement [lo 4.1, 4.2]

• When doing the Clown Dance, try to add a vocal sound to each movement.
• Your dance should include the following movements and sounds:

 Jumps : Sound: “Uh”

 jump on one foot

 jump on two feet

 jump from two feet to one foot

 add arms

 add head

 Motion : Sound: “A”

 move forward while jumping

 move backwards while jumping

 move to the right facing forward while jumping

 move to the left facing forward while jumping

 Turning : Sound: “Sh”

 turn a moveable part of the body, e.g. head or arm

 twist, e.g. upper body

 turn in various degrees (full turn, half, quarter)

 spiral (full turn) e.g. whole body on one spot

 hop (turning while hopping)

 step (e.g. walking a full circle)

Combine these three movements while gradually focussing on the different levels available (high, middle, low), e.g. by a jumping on one foot and then turning to another spot.

• Vocal sounds must accompany each movement.
• Think about the costumes and make-up for this Clown Dance.
• Use all the space available to you.
• Use big movements.
• Try to use all the movable parts of your body.
• Make up your own sounds.

Activity 4

To cool down the body and muscles and to stretch [lo 4.2]

It is important that you stretch your muscles after the exercise. If you do not stretch after the class, you will feel stiff and sore the next day.

Choose slow, peaceful music to stretch by.

 Breathing exercise

 Stand with feet a hip width apart, arms down at sides.

 Raise arms above your head while inhaling through your nose.

 Drop your arms and bend knees at the same time, while exhaling through your mouth.

 Repeat four times.

 Neck stretch

 Raise right arm straight up, put arm over your head, touch the left side of the head.

 Slowly pull the head to the right towards the shoulder and drop the left shoulder.

• Repeat on left side.

 Arm stretch : Take the right arm across the chest and with the left hand slowly pull arm towards the body. Repeat on left side.

 Upper body stretch : Raise both arms above the head and reach for the ceiling, stretching the upper body.

• Back stretch : Bend knees, knees and feet facing forward, lean forward and place hands on knees. Contract back upwards (like a cat) and release (repeat four times).

 Hamstring and calf stretch : Place one foot forward and extend knee. Bend supporting leg. Lift toes of extended leg, keeping the heel on the floor. Slowly bend the body forward at the waist, keeping the back straight. Repeat on the other side. Hold stretch for eight counts.

• Quadriceps stretch : Stand up straight, feet hip width apart. Lift one foot to the back, bending the knee (heel to buttocks). Keep supporting leg slightly bent. Hold and pull foot toward the buttocks with your hand. Extend your other arm for balance. Hold stretch for eight counts.

• Shake all the movable parts of your body.
• Repeat breathing exercise.

Assessment

LEARNING OUTCOME 4: EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION

The learner will be able to analyse and use multiple forms of communication and expression in Arts and Culture.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

• explores different ways in which body parts can move individually and in combination;

4.2 experiments by combining voice and body in sound and movement.