Dance

  • Ask the students to choose a style of dance. Have them investigate the history of this dance style:
    • Where did it originate?
    • Does it accompany specific music?
    • Is it related to any other styles of dance?
    • Who are some famous dancers in this style?
    • If suitable, have students learn a short dance routine and perform for the class to music.

Drama

  • Have students stand in a circle and ask one student to begin acting out a scene, at a given time, call ‘Freeze!’, and ask another student to enter the circle and start a new scene, taking a cue from the position in which the first student froze. Continue until there are five or six students in the scene. When it’s time for the last scene to end, call ‘Curtains down!’. All students in the scene must wrap up the scene in a way that sees them all leave the circle. Repeat the exercise with other students. Students could be given prompts or scenarios to help them out if they are unsure how to begin.

Music

  • Play students a selection of music from different genres. Ask students to make notes as they listen. Ask them to consider:
    • What is the tempo of the music? Does it change throughout the music? (Tempo/rhythm)
    • What instruments can they hear? (Arrangement)
    • How does the music make them feel? Does it sound happy or sad? (Tone)
    • Can they identify patterns or recurring themes? (Structure)
    • After the music pieces are finished, engage the class in a discussion about the music they heard and what they wrote down. What things did the class agree on? Were there any differences?
A troupe of dancers illuminated on a blacked out stage. They are holding colourful balloons. Some actors are laying on the floor, most are standing.

Cooper, Samuel, 1982- & Linder, Adam. (2010). Dancers on stage during dress rehearsal of Sydney Dance Company's Are we that we are, Sydney Theatre, Sydney, 2010 [picture] / Sam Cooper. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-132086627

Ballerina Justine Summers strikes a pose for the camera. She is standing en point wearing a black tutu. She is standing infront of a textured curtain. She is staring directly at the camera.

McFarlane, Jim, 1955-. (1994). Justine Summers in "Divergence", the Australian Ballet, 1994 [picture] / Jim McFarlane. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136367403 

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