Native American Dance

Students of East Columbus helped present the dances, history and insight into the culture of the Native Americans. Students explained Regalia's, customs and demonstrated Traditional, Fancy & Jingle dances. Everyone got to join in learning how to do the round dance & the two-step :)

How We Shape Up

Shapes are EVERYWHERE - wide or narror ones, curved or angular ones, symettrical or asymettrical ones or even twisted ones! students choreographed & performed their very own dances involving various shapes :)

Can you keep a beat?!?

Last week we created all sorts of shapes. This week we learn all about keeping the beat through our rhythm study!  Dont forget Quiz on Tuesday (written & performance)

Rhythm

Rhythm – division beat

Tempo - speed

Full time- original beat

Half time- half as slow as original beat

Double time- twice as fast as original beat

Half time:        1          2          3          4

Full time:         1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8

Double time:   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8+

Time signature: fraction telling the number of beats per measure

                                    4                3

                                    4                4

Silence – what divides the beat to create rhythm (just as important as noise)

We've Got Engrade :)

Students & Parents : you can now see your dance/theatre grades anytime you want from any computer and even smart phone (yep - there's an app for that)!!!!  Each student will receive an ID (student ID number) and access code from Mrs. Dove. They will then register at www.engrade.com/students (super easy - even I did it without messing up). Here is where you can see your average (including weekly participation grades), and if you have any missing work. I'm new to using this program but several teachers here at ECHS have used and LOVED it so ... we are going to give it a shot. Each student is already in the system and your grades form this current 6 weeks have all been entered up to today (10/18/2011). So get registered, start checking your grades and it even has a cool message feature (like a text message if you have any concerns, questions, suggestions or just wanna say hi)  

Moving on to Modern

This week we've began our adventures into modern dance. We've already experimented with being literal & abstract, and being locomoter & non-locomoter. As of Friday we all became choreographers as we took our nature observations, created & performed our first individual dance pieces. We will be working on our modern combination to prepare us for the written & performance test next week!

Modern Notes

Who: Martha Graham & Rudolf von Laban  

What: 1^st technique barefoot

When: early 1900’s

Where: U.S. and Europe  

Why: rebel against Ballet & self expression                                                     (negative emotions)

Vocabulary:

Arch – wide open structure

Contract- “C” shape curve

Degage- disengage/remove from floor

Attitude-pose on one leg while the other is lifted                                           and bent at the knee

Body Swing- full release of upper body

Locomoter- traveling/moving through space

Non-Locomoter- movement in one spot/not                                      traveling

Literal – actual

Abstract- potential

Pedestrian – common people

Jumping Into Jazz

Ballet was a challenge but sucess! We know know how to stand with correct posture, turnout and speak a little french. If you have been absent you have until Wednesday to take your written ballet tests and article assignments to take the place of your performance test must be turned in by Friday! (we dont want any zeros) Next up = JAZZ! here are the notes we will go over in class. make sure they find there way into your notebooks :)

Jazz Notes

Who: Jack Cole, Bob Fosse (choreographers)

What: Broadway Show Dance (musical theatre)

When: 1900’s

Where: United States from Africa

Why: Exaggerated movements with Attitude

1. Parallel-two lines that never meet or cross

2. Jazz Hands-big number five or fingers spread apart

3. Blades-fingers together

4. Isolation-move one body part at a time

5. Ball change- rock back

6. Pivot-turn while one leg is still while the other changes directions

7. Grapevine – step out, cross back, out, together

8. Chasse-to chase/step together step

9. Jazz Square – stepping Cross, Back, Side, Front to make a square pattern

10. Pirouette-turn on one leg while the other is in passé

11. Grand Jete-big leap

12. Grand Battement-big kick

Ballet Test THIS FRIDAY!

we are working on a short ballet combination/dance that will be performed in small groups for a performance test THIS FRIDAY! we will also be taking a written test covering all the Ballet notes discussed in class and posted under ballet notes... so be reviewing and practicing :)