Grade 2 - Dance

Dance

Foundational Elements and Principles: Dance literacy is developed through knowledge and application of foundational elements and principles

Creating and presenting: Ideas can be represented through movement and dance that draw upon foundational knowledge

Appreciation: Recognizing beauty, goodness, and truth in dance can be developed by understanding the complexity and richness of great works of dance, the artists who create and perform them, and the historical and cultural contexts from which they originate.

Students examine the capabilities of body and movement through dance

Students experiment with how message can be expressed in and through dance.

Students investigate culture in relation to dance from ancient Greece and present day. Students examine culture through First Nations, Metis, and Inuit dance.

Knowledge

Understanding

Skills & Procedures

Knowledge

Understanding

Skills & Procedures

Knowledge

Understanding

Skills & Procedures

Planning movements ahead of time helps the body move intentionally.

A dancer can learn to intentionally start and stop body movements by counting beats aloud or internally following music or other auditory cues

Various stimuli, including images or text, can be used to direct or inspire intentional movement.

Strength, flexibility, and safety are promoted through warm-ups, cool-downs, and awareness of the body

Symmetrical body shapes are created through body positions

Maintaining symmetrical formations when dancing in circles and lines requires awareness of other dancers.

The body can create shapes individually, with others, or with objects to reflect various positions (prepositions).

Intentional movement of the body can communicate ideas.

The meaning of a movement or dance can be enhanced by incorporating props music facial expressions costumes

Locomotor and nonlocomotor movements can communicate meaning

Narrative is a choreographic form that uses story to give meaning to movements

Practise or experience can influence an individual's capabilities in dance

Exploring various ways the body can move can reveal new skills and discoveries

Creative risks can include trying new and unfamiliar movements

Movement phrases can be performed within a certain number of beats

Counting beats aloud or internally can help direct when a movement should begin and end.

Movement phrases can be short or long.

The body moves intentionally in dance.

Dance requires an awareness of physical safety when moving individually and with others

Movement can be used to create symmetrical body shapes.

Movement conveys meaning in dance

Movement in dance can improve through practice, exploration, and experience.

Movements can be combined to create phrases in dance.

Create a movement phrase within a set number of beats.

Demonstrate how to maintain a steady beat through a movement phrase.

Plan and practise a movement phrase before sharing it with an audience.

Respond with movement to various kinds of stimuli.

Use counting as a way to direct when movements should begin and end.

Participate in warm-up and cool-down activities for the body

Discuss how to solve problems or challenges related to moving safely within general space.

Create symmetrical body shapes independently and with others.

Sustain dance formations while moving in groups

Create movement phrases that express feelings or ideas

Describe how movements can convey meaning.

Reflect on artistic choices in communicating an intended meaning.

Build movement fluency and skills through exploration and experience.

Take creative risks when exploring movement and dance.

Observe live or recorded dance performances as an inspiration for talking about and experiencing dance.

Combine individual movements into long and short phrases.

Practise counting beats when executing movements.

Recognize how many beats a movement phrase can last.

Verbal communication of a message can be expressed through lyrics or vocal sounds.

Non-verbal communication of a message can be communicated through the body and movement, including body language, gestures, and facial expressions locomotor and nonlocomotor movements body shapes, sizes, and levels use of stillness and balance pathways and directions weight and energy body positioning, including proximity

Feelings can be represented through a dancer's movements.

Non-verbal communication requires an awareness of moving the body safely through personal and shared spaces.

A message in dance can be generated, sent, received, and interpreted.

Performances can be informal events, including dance classes.

Performances can be formal events, including dance concerts or productions.

Structure in a dance can help an audience know when the dance begins and ends

Choreographic forms, including narrative, can be used to structure communication of a message.

Practising dance movements before performing for an audience can help clarify roles and refine skills and movement.

Expectations for participating in dance, known as artistic protocols and etiquette, can change depending on the context in which the dance is experienced

Creative processes can help develop a message and can include practice generating an idea giving and receiving feedback reflection

Generating an idea may involve creative thinking and problem solving.

A message can be communicated verbally and non-verbally through dance.

A message conveyed through movement and dance can communicate feelings and experiences.

The sharing of a message involves the dancer and the audience

Audience members can feel differently about a dance presentation.

Development of a message in dance can involve creative processes.

Messages can be clearly communicated when movements are combined with a purpose.

Investigate how a message can be communicated nonverbally through movement.

Create movement phrases to convey a message.

Explore the use of movements in communicating an intended message.

Represent mood or feelings through movement.

Create movement that incorporates a clear beginning and end

Rehearse dances before performing for an audience.

Analyze how movement communicates messages

Participate as an audience member and a performer in a variety of dance experiences.

Demonstrate an understanding of artistic protocols and etiquette within dance experiences.

Apply creative processes when creating movement.

Discuss how the purposeful use of movement can strengthen communication of a message.

Reflect on personal strengths and areas for growth as a dancer.

Experiences with dance can include learning about dances from the past and the people who created and performed them.

Ancient Greeks valued dance and believed that it was the most beautiful part of life.

Ancient Greek dance was inspired by gods and goddesses.

The god Dionysus valued fast and lively dance, whereas the god Apollo valued slow and ceremonial dance.

The formations and pathways of dances in ancient Greece included the circle, line, and serpentine

Circle dances, known as ring dances, were commonly performed in ancient Greece, with dancers holding hands as they danced around a musician.

Singing was an important part of dance in ancient Greece and is still used in dance performances today.

First Nations powwow dances can be performed to honor and demonstrate a connection to land.

Inuit drum dances are cultural practices that are practised for a variety of reasons.

First Nations, Metis, and Inuit dance is holistic in nature and can have individual and collective benefits, including social well-being physical health spiritual connection emotional and mental well-being intellectual development

Metis jigging reflects cultural styles related to French-Canadian and Scottish dance.

Culture is what people do and a way of thinking.

Dances from various times and places can be representative of a culture.

Culture can be revealed through First Nations, Metis, and Inuit dances

First Nations, Metis, and Inuit dances can establish a sense of community and well-being among participants.

Demonstrate movement that reflects slow and energetic styles as related to ancient Greek gods.

Participate in dances using formations used in ancient Greek dance.

Examine ancient Greek dance as an inspiration for talking about and creating dance.

Observe a variety of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit dances as an inspiration for talking about dance

Observe a variety of Metis jigs and compare the movements to French-Canadian and Scottish dances.

Discuss how dance experiences can benefit individuals or communities.