Unit: Basics of Ballet Barre
1. Classroom Information: in a studio room
Subject Area: Dance Arts
Grade level- 3rd-5th grade
2. Unit Description- This unit will expose students to ballet barre, which is a fundamental aspect of ballet class. Students will learn the chronological order of a ballet barre and also develop movement quality by performing it. Students will understand that terms are French, and relate to its movement. At the end of this unit, students will be able to combine different barre exercises into a more complex combination.
3. Building a Foundation
a) Habits of Learning Taxonomy
Analysis (connect, compare, appraise)
Synthesis (propose, plan, formulate)
Evaluation (predict, assess, support, defend)
Problem Solving
Thinking Flexibility
b) Standards:
- apply corrections to evaluate own's work
- develop and refine artistic technique
- generate and conceptualize artistic ideas
- relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
4. Benchmarks of Dance
Performs a range of simple, repeated, intentional movements and gestures.
Uses space and resources creatively.
Chooses and explores ways of moving rhythmically, expressively and playfully.
Participates in dance that is taught and/or creative movement invented by peers.
Shows understanding that dance consists of combined movements and gestures, usually performed with music or a beat.
Shares their responses to stimuli through movement with, for example, peers or practitioner.
Shares thoughts and feelings in response to dance experiences, either as a performer or as part of an audience, giving reasons for likes and dislikes.
Shares views and listens appropriately to the views of others on their own or others’ work.
5. Learning Objectives: (one new lesson per class)
- basic techniques (arm positions, ballet positions, point/flex)
- Plies & port-de-bras [body-emphasis on movement quality]
- Tendus
- Jetes/Degages
- Rond de jambes [space- understand the shape/space this movement takes up)
- Fondus
- Frappes [time- experiment with different paces of frappes]
- Adagio
- Grand battement
lessons are progessively more difficult
6. Curriculum Framing Questions
Who am I teaching? - 3rd-5th graders
What am I teaching? - ballet barre
How will I teach it? - through movement
How will I know if the students understand? - if they can understand the meanings of eahc term watching their execution/comprehension thtough their movement
7. Student Assessment
- performance test in smaller groups to ensure thorough understanding of barre techniques
8. Being Dance Elements
One Piece:
Project Description
Research Question
Practice Map
9. Unit Details
a) approximate time- 9 classes (5 weeks)
b) prerequisite skills
Procedures
Setting the Stage
Explore Factors
Discuss
Study
10. Review
11. Materials
- stereo (for music)
- ballet bars
12. Accomodation & Differentiation Instruction
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