This Unit of Study is reformatted from the Colorado Department of Education’s Sample Curriculum Project.

Content Area: Grade Dance: Grade 03 Unit of Study The Joints are Dancing Pacing 2-3 weeks / 8 contact hours Focusing Lens Structure and Function; Origins Perform Joint Actions; Create New Movement Phrases using Joint Actions; Context Cultural Influences; Respond to Unit Strands Comparison and Contrast of Movements Concepts Space/Time/Energy, Movement Elements, Investigation/Discovery, Rhythm, Joint Action, Styles, Cultural Dance Grade Level Expectations Colorado Academic Dance Standards Standard 1 – Movement, Technique, and Performance DA.3.1.1: Perform dance studies with accuracy DA.3.1.2: Explore moods and feelings in performance Standard 2 – Create, Compose, and Choreograph DA.3.2.1: Design a group dance study using the elements of dance (space, time, and energy) DA.3.2.2: Create a short dance using compositional principles (form/structure and design) Standard 3 – Historical and Cultural Context DA.3.3.1: Understand dance as a means of communication DA.3.3.2: Recognize styles in major dance works Standard 4 – Reflect, Connect, and Respond DA.3.4.1: Research the life and work of a well-known choreographer DA.3.4.2: Describe the use of dance elements in choreography

Inquiry Questions (Engaging – Debatable) ● How does a different use of the movement elements (space, time, and energy) affect joint actions? ● What similarities and differences are there in the actions of the various joints? ● How are joint actions used differently in dances from various cultures? ● How is it possible to move easily from one type of joint action to another joint action within a movement phrase? Generalizations Guiding Questions My students will UNDERSTAND that … Factual Conceptual creating a dance relies upon intentional movement of What are the different joints in the How are the movement elements joints, bones, and muscles. body and the movement possibilities? affected by moving different joints? What do we need to do to move the joints safely and smoothly? movement elements (e.g., fast, slow) require specific How can you change from moving one What did you do in order to change the joint actions and rhythms. joint and then another joint in a joint movements in your dance? How dance? does understanding the various joint movements assist a dancer in refinement of technique? cultural dances and dance styles demand different What joint movements can you identify Why do different cultures use the joints joint movements. in a particular cultural dance form? of the body in dances in different ways? Critical Content Key Skills My students will KNOW … My students will be able to (DO) … ● examples of dance elements that affect the use of joint ● demonstrate the articulated use of the dance elements in dance actions, such as bend and twist. studies. ● that the combination of different joint actions, such as push ● refine the articulation of the body. and press can be combined into one dance. ● identify by name the major bones and muscles in movement, ● joint actions, such as swing and rotate, are affected by including the spine, pelvis, knees, feet, and abdominals. different cultural influences, as in African or Latin dance ● use the dance elements to solve a movement problem. traditions. ● experiment with elements of composition. ● select phrases and link them in order to compose a short dance. ● learn vocabularies of selected cultural dances. ● compare and contrast works by different choreographers.

Evidence Outcomes DA.3.1.1.a: Demonstrate the articulated use of the dance elements in dance studies DA.3.1.1.c: Refine the articulation of the body DA.3.1.2.a: Identify by name the major bones and muscles in movement, including the spine, pelvis, knees, feet, and abdominals DA.3.2.1.c: Use the dance elements to solve a movement problem DA.3.2.1.d: Experiment with elements of composition DA.3.2.2.c: Select phrases and link them in order to compose a short dance DA.3.3.1.c: Learn vocabularies of selected cultural dances DA.3.4.1.c: Compare and contrast works by different choreographers Critical Language Includes the Academic and Technical vocabulary, semantics, and discourse which are particular to and necessary for accessing a given discipline. Academic: Technical: ● Identify ● Time/Space/Energy ● Describe ● Anatomical Structure ● Analyze ● Joint Actions ● Learn ● Phrasing ● Create ● Dance Form ● Connect ● Transitions ● Order ● Experiment ● Compare ● Cultural Expression A student in Dance can demonstrate the ability to apply and comprehend critical language through this statement: Some may think creating a new dance is difficult but one way to create a new movement phrase and/or dance is by taking a dance you know and moving different joints in different ways.