Resource materials on the environment and environmental issues. Select three or four elements of dance for exploration from the concept maps. This process of repeatedly expanding and narrowing topics and ideas, may be done with any of the other words or concepts associated with the theme. Over a number of days, many aspects of the environment will have been explored and the students can draw on this exploration process to create their own dance compositions. Over the next several lessons, explore the elements and movement ideas listed on the concept maps.
Explorations can take place individually, as a whole group and in small groups.
Teachers may refer to the Appendix for information on the elements of dance. The teacher could begin by having the students create dance phrases and sequences working individually within the whole group based on the contrasting images of endangered species and protection. Remind students that a phrase must have an observable beginning, middle and ending. Challenge students to commit themselves physically and to work at developing, abstracting and increasing the complexity of their repertoire of movements throughout their explorations. Accompany the students explorations with a drum, cymbal, tambourine or other rhythm instrument.