Introduction to Choreography

Active learning helps students grasp choreography because movement is the language of dance. By physically exploring elements and principles, they connect abstract ideas to concrete examples, building confidence and creativity. The activities scaffold from quick idea generation to deliberate crafting, mirroring how professional choreographers work.

• Grade 7
• The Arts
• 4 activities
• 20 min–40 min

Learning Objectives

1. Design a short dance phrase that clearly communicates a chosen theme or emotion.
2. Analyze the use of space, time, and energy in a peer's dance phrase to identify strengths and areas for refinement.
3. Explain the choreographic process, from initial concept to final phrase, using specific examples of movement choices.
4. Critique choreographic decisions in a peer's work, referencing specific elements and principles of dance.
5. Synthesize learned elements and principles of dance to create an original movement sequence.

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

Pairs: Theme Brainstorm Walk

Pairs select a theme or emotion, then walk the space discussing and trying initial movements. Return to class to share one gesture per pair on the board. Combine gestures into a shared phrase, noting elements used.

Prepare & details

Explain the process of developing a dance from an initial idea to a finished phrase.

Facilitation Tip: During Theme Brainstorm Walk, circulate with a clipboard and jot down pairs’ emerging ideas to reference later during Element Stations.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Small Groups: Element Stations

Set up stations for one dance element each: body at mirrors, space with hoops, time with metronomes, energy with scarves. Groups spend 5 minutes per station creating a 8-count phrase, then rotate and adapt previous work.

Prepare & details

Critique a peer's choreographic choices based on clarity of intent and execution.

Facilitation Tip: At Element Stations, demonstrate each station for 30 seconds first, then let students rotate every 4 minutes to maintain focus.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 30 min·Whole Class

Whole Class: Feedback Carousel

Students perform 16-count phrases in a circle. Class provides structured feedback using sentence stems like 'I saw clear use of...'. Performers note one change and redo immediately.

Prepare & details

Construct a short dance that expresses a specific theme or emotion.

Facilitation Tip: For the Feedback Carousel, assign each performer a specific role (e.g., observer, timekeeper, encourager) to structure peer feedback.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Project-Based Learning

⏱ 20 min·Individual

Individual: Phrase Polish

Students refine their phrase alone, video-recording before and after changes. Use a checklist for elements and principles. Share final version with a partner for quick affirmation.

Prepare & details

Explain the process of developing a dance from an initial idea to a finished phrase.

Facilitation Tip: During Phrase Polish, encourage students to move slowly and count aloud to refine timing and energy before performing.

Setup: Flexible workspace with access to materials and technology

Materials: Project brief with driving question, Planning template and timeline, Rubric with milestones, Presentation materials

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Teaching This Topic

Start with improvisation to build comfort, then introduce structure through guided prompts. Avoid overwhelming students with too many elements at once. Research shows that breaking choreography into small, manageable tasks (like isolating one element at a time) improves both the quality of work and student confidence. Model your own thinking process when you demonstrate or give feedback.

What to Expect

Students will leave with a clear sense of how to turn an idea into a short, intentional dance phrase. They will use dance elements and principles intentionally, explain their choices, and give feedback that helps peers improve. Success looks like clear intent, deliberate use of elements, and thoughtful revisions.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During Theme Brainstorm Walk, students may assume choreography must be serious or complex right away.

What to Teach Instead

Use your role as facilitator to prompt with questions like 'What is one small gesture or shape that represents your theme?' This helps students see that even simple ideas can grow into structured phrases.

Common Misconception

During Element Stations, students may rush through movements or mimic without intention.

What to Teach Instead

At each station, ask students to pause after each repetition and ask themselves, 'What am I trying to express with this movement?' Write this question on a station card to keep them grounded in intent.

Common Misconception

During Feedback Carousel, students may focus only on what they liked or disliked, ignoring structure.

What to Teach Instead

Provide a simple feedback framework (e.g., 'What worked? What could make the intent clearer? What element stood out?') and model using it before the carousel begins.

Assessment Ideas

Peer Assessment

After Phrase Polish, have students perform their short dance phrases in small groups. Use the checklist from the overview to assess clarity of intent, use of at least one element, and evidence of revision. Each peer should give one specific suggestion for improvement.

Quick Check

During Element Stations, circulate and ask students to verbally explain how one movement choice reflects their theme. Listen for references to dance elements or principles to assess their understanding in the moment.

Discussion Prompt

After Theme Brainstorm Walk, facilitate a whole-class discussion using the prompt: 'Share one idea from your walk and one element you think could best express it. How would you vary the movement to show different emotions or moods?' Document responses to identify which students are connecting intent to elements.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge students to combine two unrelated themes (e.g., 'ocean waves' and 'a clock ticking') into a single phrase, using at least three principles intentionally.
• Scaffolding: Provide sentence stems for feedback, such as 'One thing that helped me understand your theme was...' or 'Next time, try varying your energy when...'.
• Deeper exploration: Have students research a choreographer known for minimalist movement and recreate a short phrase using only one element, then compare their version to the original.

Key Vocabulary

Choreography	The art of designing and arranging dance movements. It involves creating sequences of steps and gestures to convey meaning or tell a story.
Dance Elements	The fundamental components of dance: body (what it does), action (the movement itself), space (where it moves), time (when it moves), and energy (how it moves).
Principles of Dance	Guidelines for organizing movement, such as unity, contrast, repetition, rhythm, and balance, used to enhance the clarity and impact of a dance.
Phrase	A short sequence of dance movements that has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It is like a sentence in dance language.