Body Parts and Isolation
Students practice isolating and moving different body parts, developing control and awareness of their physical instrument.
Key Questions
- Analyze how isolating a single body part can change the focus of a movement.
- Construct a short movement sequence that emphasizes the isolation of different body parts.
- Explain the importance of body awareness in dance.
Ontario Curriculum Expectations
About This Topic
Weathering and erosion are the twin processes that shape the Earth's surface over time. In this unit, students distinguish between the breaking down of rocks (weathering) and the movement of those materials (erosion). The Ontario curriculum emphasizes how these processes affect the local landscape, from the rugged Canadian Shield to the eroding bluffs of Lake Ontario. Students will investigate the roles of water, ice, wind, and living things in these changes.
This topic also introduces the concept of 'deep time' and how small changes can lead to massive geographical features like the Niagara Falls. Understanding erosion is also critical for discussing human impacts on the environment, such as how deforestation leads to soil loss. Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation of their erosion models.
Active Learning Ideas
Inquiry Circle: Sugar Cube Weathering
Students shake sugar cubes in a container to simulate physical weathering and drop water on them to simulate chemical weathering. They compare the results and discuss which process was faster and why.
Simulation Game: The Erosion Stream Table
Using a tray of sand and a gentle flow of water, students observe how a river carves a path. They then add 'trees' (twigs) or 'houses' (blocks) to see how vegetation or human structures change the rate of erosion.
Gallery Walk: Ontario Landforms
Students look at photos of famous Ontario sites (Niagara Falls, Cheltenham Badlands, Flowerpot Island). They must identify whether weathering or erosion was the primary force at work and explain their reasoning on a shared chart.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionWeathering and erosion are the same thing.
What to Teach Instead
Weathering is the 'breaking' and erosion is the 'taking.' Using a 'break it and move it' mnemonic during hands-on activities helps students keep the two processes distinct.
Common MisconceptionErosion only happens during big storms.
What to Teach Instead
Erosion is a constant, often slow process. Time-lapse videos combined with classroom models help students see that even a tiny drip of water causes change over time.
Suggested Methodologies
Ready to teach this topic?
Generate a complete, classroom-ready active learning mission in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching weathering and erosion?
How does the Niagara Escarpment show erosion?
How do plants help prevent erosion?
Why is soil erosion a problem for farmers in Ontario?
More in The Language of Movement
Space: Pathways and Levels
Students explore how to use personal and general space, creating different pathways and moving at various levels (low, medium, high).
3 methodologies
Time: Speed and Duration
Students experiment with varying the speed (fast, slow) and duration (short, long) of their movements to create different qualities.
3 methodologies
Energy: Force and Flow
Students explore different qualities of movement energy, such as strong/light, sharp/smooth, and bound/free flow.
3 methodologies
Creating Movement Phrases
Students learn to combine individual movements into short, coherent dance phrases that express an idea or emotion.
3 methodologies
Folk Dances and Cultural Celebrations
Students learn and perform simple folk dances from different cultures, understanding their historical and social contexts.
3 methodologies