Exploring Ways To Make Dances

There are many ways to create a dance.  Some people watch YouTube videos and learn those movements. Others listen to the music and create their own ideas.  Some people dance about an important message.

Our Grade Three students are beginning to explore "Chance Choreography" using a strategy similar to the choreographer Merce Cunningham.  Students are currently getting to know the various elements of movement and exploring ways each element, such as making puzzle shapes from positive and negative space.  They also did an activity where they took turns changing each other's sculptures, creating a freeze frame dance at the end. 

This is our museum.  Students dance through the museum and create a sculpture by filling in the negative space.

This was a fun way for students to explore the element of "SHAPE" in dance.

We find ourselves in unusual shapes

                                         

Exciting . . . engaging?  Yes!

In the "Erosion Dance" students make one change to the sculpture, creating a sequence of poses at the end

If you're interested in watching any of Merce Cunningham's choreography, check out "Oceans."  This was filmed in my home town in a granite quarry.  The orchestra played in a ring about the dancers.  They did not have a conductor--just a clock.