1-2-Cha Cha Cha

a WebQuest for grades 9-12 Introduction to Dance Class

by Carolyn Pilanen

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion

 

Introduction

You have arrived at a party and everyone is being a wallflower. There is an awesome DJ on hand with a wide selection of music to play. He can't seem to get the crowd going because most of them are afraid to embarrass themselves on the dance floor. You decide that you want to have fun and that the rest of them don't know what they are missing. Get this crowd going by sharing your knowledge about the joys of social dancing and teaching them how to dance!


The Task

In order to motivate this group, you take them on a tour of your virtual dance studio. Here they can pick a room to go to learn the basics and short combinations to get them on the dance floor quickly. Your job is to produce a room (via Power Point Presentation) that they can visit at the virtual dance studio.You must also create a short live demonstration for them.

*Power Point Presentation must include at least 5 slides: (click to see and example)

An Opening slide to entice or interest people into coming into your room to learn your style
At least one slide with historical information
At least one slide with a picture(s) of a performer(s) or people dancing your dance style
At least one slide with the basic steps and counting   
At least one slide with a portion of your dance routine transcribed with combinations

*Choreograph and Present an actual live dance performance-See Evaluation Section  

*Create a transcription for your dance that includes the following:  

Must list counts followed by steps

Example

 1-4 Kick ball change, kbc
1-4 Jazz Square
Must indicate foot or direction

Example

 1-4 (R)Kick ball Change, (R)step, (L)step
1-4 (R) Jazz Square

*Must include the title of the song that the dance routine goes to (so others can do it too!)

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Resources

Foxtrot

Cha Cha

Polka

Samba

Rumba

Quick Step

Swing

Salsa

Tango

Disco

Waltz

Mambo

Basic positions for many types of dance

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The Process

To complete the task

  1. Students will be divided into groups of four to five.
  2. Groups pick a style of dance to be taught in their room. 
  3. Each student (or pairs of students) must pick one of the roles below: (all roles must be covered)
Historian - Research
The history of this dance, it's beginnings, and relevance to society
Aspects relevant to today's society
Important performers of the music and or dance, past and present
Choreography Transcriber
Research Basic dance steps used
Write down, in choreographer's language, your group's dance routine
Audio Engineer  
Find appropriate selections of music for your group to choose from  
Make a recording of music which is suitable for the live group performance  
Computer Engineer - Create a Power Point Presentation by:  
Collecting information from others relevant to history, choreography and music    
Downloading images and sound-clips to enhance your "room" in the studio  

(see Task above for specific slide guidelines)

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Evaluation
        Power Point    Choreography    Performance


Power Point Rubric

  4 3 2 1 0
Opening Slide I can't wait to go there I might want to go there Doesn't look too cool Definitely skip this room Missing
Historical Used at least 4 accurate facts Used 3 accurate facts Used 2 accurate facts Used 1 accurate fact Facts inaccurate or slide missing
Pictures of Performers Excellent Good Fair Poor Missing
Basic Steps   Accurate & Complete Accurate, incomplete Not accurate or complete Missing
Transcription   Included counts, steps and direction Included steps and counts Included steps only Missing
       

Total

  

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Choreography Rubric

  5 4 3 2 1
Beat Appropriateness Matches the beat sequence of the chosen music Matches the beat sequence of the chosen music most of the time Matches the beat sequence of the chosen music some of the time Matches the beat sequence of the chosen music occasionally Never matches the beat sequence of the chosen music
Style Matches the style of the chosen music well Matches the style of the chosen music most of the time Matches the style of the chosen music to some degree Occasionally matches the style of the chosen music Rarely matches the style of the chosen music
Musicality Matches the high/low points and musical phrases Matches the high/low points and musical phrases most of the time Matches the high/low points and musical phrase to some degree Occasionally matches the high/low points and musical phrases Rarely matches the high/low points and musical phrases
Steps used Used at least 5 of the specified basic steps or combinations Used 4 of the specified basic steps or combinations Used 3 of the specified basic steps or combinations Used 2 of the specified basic steps or combinations Used none of the specified basic steps or combinations
       

Total

  

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Performance Rubric

  5 4 6 2 1
Confidence Level Performs with confidence Performs with confidence most of the time Performs with some confidence Performs with little confidence Performs with no confidence
Rhythmic Accuracy Performs with rhythmic accuracy Performs with rhythmic accuracy most of the time Performs with some degree of rhythmic accuracy  Has trouble finding the beat Can't find the beat of the music at all
Individual Steps Performs individual steps accurately Performs individual steps accurately most of the time Performs individual steps with some degree of accuracy Occasionally performs individual steps accurately Rarely performs individual steps accurately
Combinations  Performs combinations accurately Performs combinations accurately most of the time Performs combinations with some degree of accuracy Occasionally performs combinations accurately Rarely performs combinations accurately
Style Performs in applicable style Performs in applicable style most of the time Performs to some degree in applicable style Occasionally performs in applicable style Rarely performs in applicable style
       

Total

  

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Conclusion

Are they dancing yet?  Are you having fun at the dance yet?  If so, your job is complete.  You have successfully encouraged people to enjoy the art of social dance through your knowledge and example!  If not, keep trying...it takes longer for some to come to their sences!

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Based on a template from The Webquest Page.