EXPLORERS: The space stealers
3 lessons of creative dance – Grade 4 class
IMAGERY IDEA
A group of aliens, called space stealers, who live on a very crowded
planet, send out explorers to find a new planet they could live on. The explorers visit earth and are delighted
to find plenty of open spaces. They run
fast as they can in curved pathways, then stretch (something they haven’t done
for a while at home) which steals the space above them, below, in front, behind
and to either side. However, now and
then the aliens feel guilty for stealing space from the people of earth and
hide away in the tiniest space possible.
But, they are here to stay on earth because there is no room on their
planet.
OBJECTIVES
Cognitive: Experience and
show results from the creative process.
Solve tasks designed to express meaning through movement. Move to phases
of music.
Affective: Develop appreciation for explorers and
need to take land. Identify with people whose land is being stolen. Work
co-operatively with a partner to answer challenges.
Psychomotor: Awareness of body parts in space. Strengthen
ability to balance.
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INTENT |
TASK PROGRESSION & ACTION WORD |
EXTENSIONS |
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Explore Initial actions Rushing about planet but no space to move. |
“In your own spaces, take a deep breath, rise up onto toes, then run/rush quickly and lightly, weaving in and out of each other about the gym…and stop” RUSH – run |
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NOTE |
Rhythm set with fast taps with drum or claves. Repeat focusing on a few running in and out of the rest. Introduce stop. |
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Squeezing up. Not enough room. |
“Rush/run again but this time when you stop I want you to pull up into a balance high on your toes, and freeze there.” BALANCES - freeze |
Curve path into |
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NOTE Like living on a planet with no space. |
Practice stops with short curves.
Stretching and balance Add a
partner
“Number #1 and #2. Starting in a space #1 will rush through space and
balance/freeze. Then immediately #2s will rush and balance/freeze next to
#1.” Practice a few times with cue
from claves. Gather to listen to first three A sections of the music. Use fingers to show actions. Discuss imagery idea. What would it be like living on a crowded
planet, absolutely no room. Try
partner dance to music. |
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INTENT |
TASK PROGRESSION & ACTION WORD |
EXTENSIONS |
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Develop 3-dimen-sional stretches into balance |
“Get into shape where each part of the body is reaching into space.” STRETCHING into space Then add TURNTo BALANCE-freeze |
Extend, above, behind, in front and to sides |
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NOTE On earth so happy to be able to stretch and find space |
Use claves (//) as sound to make shape. Have several goes. Pick examples that really cover all
dimensions, and stretch spines, necks and limbs. Want awareness of each limb in relation to trunk. Add turn to link stretches as Aliens steal
more space (use claves for rhythm). Review
then add RUSH-run to STRETCH-turn BALANCE-freeze
Add
Music
(Section A of music, no partner)
Add partner (#1 hold shape while #2
moves then stretches shape near #1 and visa versa) |
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Working as a pair to steal as much space as possible |
“When you join your partner try to steal more space under, over, above or to side.” [Show an example] |
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NOTE |
Let students practice for a few minutes, showing good examples that cover dimensions. Then starting in space stealing shapes together with a partner, try the dance to the music. Swap roles so that #2 do shape for #1 to fit. |
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Develop the idea of feeling guilty for stealing so much space |
“Feeling guilty taking so much space. Both RUSH-run at same time, away from each other.” (claves) Practice then, “In space shrink and sink very slowly into a tight, closed shape.” SHRINK, SINKAdd music B section |
Levels |
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NOTE |
Ready to practice Music A, A, A and B - repeat 3 times. First time on planet. Second time on earth with #1 lead, third time with #2 lead. Shrinking music longer second and third times – children sustain shrink longer. |
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