The Arts · Grade 6 · Movement and Choreography · Term 2

Elements of Dance: Energy and Flow

Students explore how different qualities of energy (e.g., sharp, sustained, percussive) and flow (bound, free) impact dance expression.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• DA:Cr1.1.6a
• DA:Re7.1.6a

About This Topic

Grade 6 students explore the fundamental elements of dance, focusing on energy and flow, to deepen their understanding of movement expression. Energy in dance refers to the force and intensity with which a movement is executed, ranging from sharp, percussive actions to smooth, sustained movements. Flow describes the continuity or discontinuity of movement, whether it is bound and controlled or free and released. By experimenting with these qualities, students learn to imbue their movements with specific emotional qualities and intentions, transforming simple gestures into compelling artistic statements.

Understanding energy and flow is crucial for developing nuanced choreography and for appreciating the expressive capabilities of dance. Students will compare how bound versus free flow affects the emotional impact of a sequence, construct short phrases demonstrating shifts in energy, and analyze how percussive energy can emphasize musicality. This exploration connects directly to the artistic process of creating and responding to dance, fostering critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Active learning, through kinesthetic exploration and collaborative choreographic tasks, allows students to embody these concepts, making the abstract qualities of energy and flow tangible and deeply understood.

Key Questions

1. Compare how bound versus free flow affects the emotional impact of a movement sequence.
2. Construct a short dance phrase that demonstrates a clear shift in energy quality.
3. Analyze how a dancer's use of percussive energy can emphasize a musical beat.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Energy is just about moving fast or slow.

What to Teach Instead

Energy in dance is more complex, involving the quality of force (sharp, sustained, percussive, vibratory) and how it's applied, not just speed. Exploring different textures of movement helps students grasp this nuance.

Common Misconception

Bound flow means being stiff and awkward.

What to Teach Instead

Bound flow is about controlled, contained movement, not necessarily stiffness. Students can practice moving with intention and precision, demonstrating control rather than restriction, to understand its expressive potential.

Active Learning Ideas

Energy and Flow Exploration Stations

Set up stations with prompts for each energy quality (e.g., 'move like a robot' for percussive, 'move like a melting ice cube' for sustained) and flow (e.g., 'move with a rope tied to your wrist' for bound, 'move as if floating' for free). Students rotate and record observations.

45 min·Small Groups

Choreographic Contrast Duets

In pairs, students create two short movement phrases: one using bound flow and sharp energy, the other using free flow and sustained energy. They then present and discuss the emotional differences.

30 min·Pairs

Musicality Mapping

Students listen to a piece of music and identify sections with distinct rhythmic patterns or sustained melodies. They then choreograph short movements that specifically match the energy and flow of each musical section.

30 min·Individual

Frequently Asked Questions

How do energy and flow relate to emotional expression in dance?

Different energy and flow qualities evoke distinct emotions. Sharp, percussive movements might suggest anger or excitement, while sustained, free flow could convey calmness or joy. By manipulating these elements, dancers can intentionally communicate feelings and ideas to an audience.

What is the difference between energy and flow in dance?

Energy refers to the force and intensity of movement, like sharp, sustained, or percussive. Flow describes the continuity of movement, whether it's bound and controlled or free and released. They are distinct but often work together to create a dancer's unique style and expression.

Can students create their own dance moves using these concepts?

Absolutely. The core of this learning is creation. Through guided practice and exploration, students can experiment with combining different energy and flow qualities to develop original movement phrases and short choreographies that reflect their understanding and intentions.

How does active learning benefit the understanding of dance elements like energy and flow?

Kinesthetic learning is paramount. When students physically embody sharp energy or bound flow, they develop an intuitive understanding that text-based explanations cannot replicate. Collaborative creation tasks further solidify these concepts as students problem-solve and refine movements together, making the learning process dynamic and memorable.