Creativity and Narrative Understanding through Dance
In this lesson, students will create a story and use dance movements to represent different characters and events. This encourages creativity and helps students understand narrative structures. It also enriches students' artistic and kinesthetic skills while promoting collaboration. Separate sections are provided for different grade bands to tailor the activities to the appropriate age and developmental stages.
Audience
K-12 Students
Time
30 mins per grade band
Approach
Creativity and Narrative Understanding through Dance
Materials
Worksheet: Story Planning Worksheet
Step 1
Warm-Up (K-2)
5 mins
Lead the students in a simple follow-the-leader dance activity to get them moving and engaged.
Include movements that mimic different animals (e.g., hopping like a bunny, stomping like an elephant).
Step 2
Warm-Up (3-5)
5 mins
Lead the students in a brief stretching routine followed by a series of creative movement exercises.
Encourage students to explore different ways to move across the space (e.g., skipping, tip-toeing, spinning).
Step 3
Warm-Up (6-8)
5 mins
Begin with a series of dynamic stretches to warm up the muscles.
Follow this with a short improvisation exercise where students create movements based on descriptive words provided by the teacher (e.g., sharp, smooth, heavy).
Step 4
Warm-Up (9-12)
5 mins
Start with a series of targeted stretches focusing on flexibility and balance.
Move into a brief dance combination that includes various techniques and styles to challenge and inspire students.
Step 5
Introduction
5 mins
Greet the students and introduce the concept of Musical Storytelling through Dance.
Explain that they will create a story and use dance movements to represent different parts of the story.
Discuss how movements can represent emotions and actions in a story (e.g., big steps for a giant).
Step 6
Story Creation (K-2)
10 mins
Divide the students into small groups.
Hand out the simplified Story Planning Worksheet to each group.
Instruct the groups to create a short and simple story and note down their story on the worksheet.
Step 7
Story Creation (3-5)
10 mins
Divide the students into small groups.
Hand out the Story Planning Worksheet to each group.
Instruct the groups to create a short story and note down their story on the worksheet.
Step 8
Story Creation (6-8)
10 mins
Divide the students into small groups.
Hand out the Story Planning Worksheet to each group.
Instruct the groups to create a more detailed story and note down their story on the worksheet.
Step 9
Story Creation (9-12)
10 mins
Divide the students into small groups.
Hand out the advanced Story Planning Worksheet to each group.
Instruct the groups to create a complex story and note down their story on the worksheet.
Step 10
Dance Representation (K-2)
10 mins
Instruct the groups to assign simple dance movements to different characters and events in their story.
Allow time for each group to practice telling their story with the dance movements.
Step 11
Dance Representation (3-5)
10 mins
Instruct the groups to assign more varied dance movements to different characters and events in their story.
Allow time for each group to practice telling their story with the dance movements.
Step 12
Dance Representation (6-8)
10 mins
Instruct the groups to assign complex dance movements to different characters and events in their story.
Allow time for each group to practice telling their story with the dance movements.
Step 13
Dance Representation (9-12)
10 mins
Instruct the groups to assign intricate and expressive dance movements to different characters and events in their story.
Allow time for each group to practice telling their story with the dance movements.
Step 14
Presentation and Reflection (K-2)
5 mins
Have each group present their story to the class using the dance movements.
After each presentation, conduct a brief discussion with the class about the stories and the use of dance.
Reflect on how dance can enhance storytelling and the emotions it can convey.
Step 15
Presentation and Reflection (3-5)
5 mins
Have each group present their story to the class using the dance movements.
After each presentation, conduct a brief discussion with the class about the stories and the use of dance.
Reflect on how dance can enhance storytelling and the emotions it can convey.
Step 16
Presentation and Reflection (6-8)
5 mins
Have each group present their story to the class using the dance movements.
After each presentation, conduct a brief discussion with the class about the stories and the use of dance.
Reflect on how dance can enhance storytelling and the emotions it can convey.
Step 17
Presentation and Reflection (9-12)
5 mins
Have each group present their story to the class using the dance movements.
After each presentation, conduct a brief discussion with the class about the stories and the use of dance.
Reflect on how dance can enhance storytelling and the emotions it can convey.
Worksheet
Story Planning Worksheet
This worksheet will help students plan their story by noting down characters, events, and the sequence of their story.
