LOADING...

music, choreography teaching and arts integrated strategies

Large post-it paper and markers

large open space with desks pushed back inside the classroom. Preferably done before I arrive.

I can understand the meaning of social justice and the four pillars of social justice: identity, diversity, justice and action. I can use hip hop dance to show feelings and ideas. I can choreograph a piece with my classmates.

On the first day, we will watch an excerpt of Revelations by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (preferably a second time in class and one time before we meet). We will discuss its social justice themes and cultural significance. After doing a brief warm up, Dimensional Dancer/Hartford Resident, Savana Jones and Dimensional Dance Director, Ruth Lewis will help the students build a basic of choreography and some hip hop vocabulary while exploring the social justice themed poems Still I Rise by Maya Angelou, I Too Am America by Langston Hughes, or the teacher (s) can choose a different story or poem to make the piece about.
The second day the students will watch a breakdance video explaining its historical beginnings and elements. We will discuss it social justice themes. We will share some more choreography and hip hop dance vocabulary. The students will them work in small groups to create their own movement phrase about one of the poems.

.