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Dance Our Heritage

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Joleen Shillingford

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Dance Our Heritage

Students will collaborate in groups to research a cultural dance, choreograph a short performance, and present it to the class, articulating how the dance connects to their collective heritage and inspires future expression.

Understanding and sharing cultural dances helps students appreciate diversity, connect with their own backgrounds, and develop empathy for others. It builds confidence in public speaking and creative problem-solving.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes (for this session, part of a larger project)

Approach

Project-based learning, collaborative group work, and creative expression.

Materials

Project Introduction Slide Deck, Collective Heritage Dance Project Guide, Presentation Rubric, Student Access to Research Resources (books, internet, cultural experts), Music Playback Device, and Open Space for Movement

Prep

Teacher Preparation

20 minutes

  • Review the Project Introduction Slide Deck for smooth delivery.
    - Print copies of the Collective Heritage Dance Project Guide and Presentation Rubric for each student group.
    - Ensure access to research resources (e.g., library books, approved websites, pre-vetted videos).
    - Arrange classroom for group work and presentation space.
    - Prepare a sign-up sheet for group presentations (if applicable for future sessions).

Step 1

Warm-Up: Dance Share

10 minutes

  • Begin with the Dance Heritage Icebreaker: Two Truths and a Move activity.
    - Ask students to share their two truths and a move. Facilitate a brief discussion about the diversity of movements and what they communicate.

Step 2

Introduction to Collective Heritage Dance Project

15 minutes

  • Present the Project Introduction Slide Deck.
    - Introduce the theme: 'Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future Through Dance.'
    - Explain the project objectives and deliverables using the Collective Heritage Dance Project Guide.
    - Discuss the importance of dance as a form of cultural expression and storytelling.

Step 3

Group Formation and Initial Brainstorm

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
    - Distribute the Collective Heritage Dance Project Guide and Presentation Rubric.
    - Each group will brainstorm cultural dances they might explore based on their collective heritage or interests. Encourage them to think about how dance tells a story or represents values.
    - Facilitate initial discussions and guide groups towards selecting a dance to research.

Step 4

Research and Planning Overview

15 minutes

  • Explain the research component: identifying the origins, significance, and characteristics of their chosen dance.
    - Guide groups to start outlining their presentation and initial choreography ideas.
    - Emphasize collaboration and division of tasks within groups.
    - Circulate to provide support and answer questions.

Step 5

Cool-Down: Dance Reflection

5 minutes

  • Conclude with the Cool-Down: One Word, One Dance activity.
    - Ask each student to share one word that describes how they feel about the project or their heritage, paired with a small, reflective movement.
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Slide Deck

Welcome! What Moves You?

Get ready to move and learn!

Welcome students and set an energetic tone. Explain that today we're starting an exciting project about dance and culture.

Dance Our Heritage!

Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future Through Dance

Introduce the project title and hook. Ask students what 'heritage' means to them. Connect dance to history and future.

Our Goals for This Project

  • Research a cultural dance
  • Choreograph a short performance
  • Present your findings and dance to the class
  • Connect dance to heritage and future inspiration

Clearly state the learning objectives for this project. Emphasize collaboration, research, and creative expression.

Why Dance Our Heritage?

  • Understand and appreciate diverse cultures
  • Connect with your own background and family stories
  • Express yourselves creatively through movement
  • Learn teamwork and presentation skills

Explain why this project is important. Highlight the value of cultural understanding and self-expression.

Project Overview: Your Journey

  1. Research: Choose a cultural dance, learn its history and meaning.
  2. Choreograph: Create a short dance piece inspired by your research.
  3. Present: Share your knowledge and performance with the class.
  4. Reflect: Think about what you learned and how it connects to you.

Provide a high-level overview of the project steps. This slide sets expectations for the entire project, not just this lesson.

Working in Teams

  • You will work in small groups (3-4 students).
  • Everyone contributes!
  • Brainstorm ideas together.
  • Decide on roles and responsibilities.

Explain how groups will be formed and the importance of teamwork. Encourage respectful collaboration.

Your First Steps: Brainstorm & Research

  • As a group, discuss dances from different cultures.
  • Consider your own heritage or dances that intrigue you.
  • What stories do these dances tell?
  • Choose ONE cultural dance to focus on for your project.

Guide students on where to start their research. Emphasize using reliable sources and looking for the story behind the dance.

Your Project Tools

  • Collective Heritage Dance Project Guide: All the details you need!
  • Presentation Rubric: How your project will be assessed.

Explain the role of the Collective Heritage Dance Project Guide and Presentation Rubric. Reassure students that details are in the guide.

Let's Get Started!

Ask questions, be creative, and most importantly, have fun exploring the world through dance!

Encourage questions and provide a positive closing thought.

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Project Guide

Collective Heritage Dance Project Guide

Project Goal

To research a cultural dance, understand its historical and cultural significance, choreograph a short original performance inspired by it, and present your findings and performance to the class. This project aims to celebrate our diverse collective heritage and explore how traditional movements can inspire future artistic expression.

Theme: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future Through Dance

Group Work

  • You will work in groups of 3-4 students.
  • Collaborate effectively, share responsibilities, and respect each other's ideas.

Project Steps

Phase 1: Research & Selection (This Session)

  1. Brainstorming: As a group, discuss different cultural dances. Consider dances from your own heritage, dances you've seen, or dances that spark your curiosity. Think about what stories or traditions these dances might represent.
  2. Selection: Choose ONE cultural dance that your group will research. Your choice should be approved by your teacher.
  3. Initial Research Questions: Begin to explore:
    • Where does this dance come from? (Country, region, community)


    • What is its historical or cultural significance? (When is it performed? What does it celebrate or communicate?)


    • What are some key movements, costumes, or musical elements associated with it?


Phase 2: Deep Dive Research & Storytelling (Future Sessions)

  1. Expanded Research: Use reliable sources (library books, educational websites, cultural institution resources) to gather more detailed information about your chosen dance.
    • Who performs it?


    • What are the traditional meanings behind specific movements or formations?


    • How has this dance evolved over time?
  2. Narrative Development: Based on your research, identify the core story, emotions, or message your chosen dance conveys. How can you tell this story through movement?

Phase 3: Choreography & Presentation Planning (Future Sessions)

  1. Choreography: Create a short (2-3 minute) original dance piece inspired by your research. Your choreography should:
    • Incorporate at least 3 distinct movements from the cultural dance you researched.
    • Tell a story or convey a message related to the dance's heritage and its inspiration for the future.
    • Be performable by all group members.
  2. Music Selection: Choose appropriate music for your performance. It can be traditional music, modern music with traditional influences, or music that evokes the spirit of the dance.
  3. Presentation Outline: Plan your verbal presentation (3-5 minutes). This should introduce your chosen dance, explain its significance, describe your choreography choices, and share what you learned about collective heritage.

Deliverables

  • Group Presentation: A 3-5 minute verbal presentation introducing your chosen dance and its significance.
  • Choreographed Performance: A 2-3 minute original dance performance inspired by your research.
  • Research Notes: A summary of your group's research, including sources used.

Assessment

Your project will be assessed using the Presentation Rubric, which evaluates your research, choreography, presentation skills, and teamwork. Review the rubric carefully to understand the expectations.

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Rubric

Collective Heritage Dance Project Rubric

Project: Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future Through Dance

Student Name(s):



Date:


This rubric will be used to assess your group's Collective Heritage Dance Project.

Criteria4 - Exceeds Expectations3 - Meets Expectations2 - Developing1 - Beginning
Research & Content KnowledgeThoroughly researched cultural dance; clearly articulates history, significance, and elements; demonstrates deep understanding and connection to the theme.Researched cultural dance; articulates history, significance, and elements; demonstrates understanding.Limited research of cultural dance; attempts to articulate history/significance, but lacks depth.Minimal or inaccurate research; struggles to articulate history or significance of the dance.
Choreography & PerformanceCreative and original choreography, clearly inspired by researched dance; movements are well-executed, tell a clear story, and engage the audience.Choreography is inspired by researched dance; movements are executed adequately, tell a story.Choreography lacks clear inspiration or originality; movements are basic or inconsistently executed.Choreography is uninspired or absent; movements are poorly executed or do not relate to the theme.
Verbal PresentationEngaging, well-organized, and clear presentation; confidently explains cultural context, choreography choices, and personal connections to the theme; excellent public speaking skills.Clear and organized presentation; explains cultural context and choreography choices; good public speaking skills.Presentation lacks organization or clarity; explanations are vague or incomplete; limited public speaking skills.Presentation is disorganized or difficult to understand; minimal explanation; poor public speaking skills.
Teamwork & CollaborationAll group members contribute equally and effectively; demonstrates excellent collaboration, mutual respect, and shared responsibility throughout the project.All group members contribute; demonstrates good collaboration and shared responsibility.Some group members contribute more than others; limited collaboration or shared responsibility.Unequal contributions from group members; lack of collaboration or shared responsibility.
Connection to ThemeDeeply explores and articulates the connection between the chosen dance, collective heritage, and inspiration for the future; insightful reflections.Explores and articulates the connection between the chosen dance, collective heritage, and future inspiration.Attempts to make connections, but they are superficial or unclear; struggles to link to the theme.Fails to make a meaningful connection between the dance and the theme of collective heritage.

Overall Score:

Comments:











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Warm Up

Dance Heritage Icebreaker: Two Truths and a Move

Instructions:

  1. Everyone will stand in a circle.
  2. Think of two truths about your own personal or family heritage (e.g., "My family comes from a country where people love to dance salsa," or "We have a special family dance we do at weddings").
  3. Also, think of one lie about your heritage or a dance you know.
  4. Finally, come up with a small, unique dance move that represents one of your truths.

How to Play:

  • One person at a time will share their two truths and one lie, along with their dance move, but they won't tell the class which statement is the lie.
  • The rest of the class will guess which statement is the lie.
  • After the class guesses, the person reveals the lie and then performs their dance move again, explaining how it connects to their heritage.



My two truths and one lie are:










My dance move is:


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Cool Down

Cool-Down: One Word, One Dance

Instructions:

  1. Find a comfortable standing or seated position.
  2. Think about what we discussed today regarding collective heritage and dance. Consider how you feel about starting this project.
  3. Choose one word that describes your feeling about the project, your heritage, or dance itself after today's lesson. It could be exciting, curious, proud, thoughtful, etc.
  4. Now, think of a small, simple movement or gesture that expresses that one word.
  5. When called upon, share your word and your movement with the class. We'll go around the room and connect our words and movements as a final reflection for today.




My word is:


My movement is:


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