#4062. The Art Of Speaking, Through the Eyes of a Dancer

other, level: Middle
Posted Wed Dec 5 20:47:29 PST 2007 by Taurus M. Hines ().
Materials Required: 1 Large Poster Board
Activity Time: 1 Hour
Concepts Taught: Movement is communication

Title - THE ART OF SPEAKING, THROUGH THE EYES OF A DANCER
By - TAURUS M. HINES
Primary Subject - Language Arts
Secondary Subjects - Music (Dance & Movement), Health / Physical Education, Other
Grade Level - 6-12

Objective: To use dance as a way of speaking out without using words to express content

Materials Needed:
1 large poster board that has the word "Movement" written on it.

Motive: To express verbal understanding when you think about movement

Content:
Ask students to sit in a circle

Place the word "Movement" in the center of the circle

Ask student the following questions
1. What is movement?
2. What do you think about when you see the word movement?
3. Can we communicate through movement?
4. What is so special about moving?
5. What would you do if you could not move or speak?
6. How would you communicate?
7. What kind of movement should you do if you were trying to talk to me and you were not allowed to speak?
Exploration:

Write the following on the chalkboard
When I think about movement,
I think about...

Write the following information on the board one at a time and allow students to do movement based on these topics
1. (Your favorite animal)
2. (An object of nature)
3. (An moment of silence)
4. (A moving object of monetary value)
5. (A thought)
6. (A moment of pain)
When I think about movement,
I think!

Concentration:

For each of the objects, asks students to think and move like the object. (Allow students to do each object in sequential order.)

Ex: If a student decides to move like an elephant, then they would move like the elephant only.

Conclusion:

Ask students to put all of the movements together and recite their objects.

Example:
When I think about movement,
I think about...

A swan {Do Movement}
A river {Do Movement}
A moment of silence {Pose in a position}
A car {Do Movement}
A picture of an angel {Do Movement}
A puppy hit by a car {Do Movement}

When I think about movement,
I think.

Reflection:

Ask students to return to the circle for open discussion about movement.

Reiterate that movement is a way of communication.