Types of Dance – Basic 1 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Third Term)

Dance is moving our bodies to music or rhythm. We dance at school during morning assembly, Cultural Day, inter-house sports, the end of term party and drama performances. The main types of dance are traditional, modern, social, religious and creative dance. Dancers use steps such as step-touch, march, clap, turn and jump.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• name school activities where we dance
• name the five types of dance and give examples of traditional and modern dance
• perform basic dance steps such as step-touch, march, clap, turn and jump
• name the body parts used in dance and the movements each one makes

Where do we dance in school?

We dance in many activities at school.

1. Morning assembly

• We dance to praise and worship songs
• We do exercise dance
• We move our bodies

2. Cultural Day

• We perform traditional dances
• We wear cultural costumes
• We show our heritage

3. Inter-house sports

• Cheerleaders dance
• We celebrate with dance
• We march and move

4. End of term party

• We have dance competitions
• We dance to modern music
• Everyone dances freely

5. Drama performances

• Dance is part of drama
• We act and dance together

What are the types of dance?

1. Traditional dance

• From our culture
• Examples: Bata, Swange, Atilogwu
• Uses traditional music
• Wears traditional costume

2. Modern dance

• New style
• Examples: Hip hop, Ballet, Jazz
• Uses modern music
• Popular with young people

3. Social dance

• For parties and gatherings
• Everyone can join
• Fun and easy
• Makes people happy

4. Religious dance

• Praise and worship dance
• Done in church or mosque
• Honours God

5. Creative dance

• We create our own moves
• Uses imagination
• Free style
• No fixed steps

What are the basic dance steps?

Here are basic dance steps to learn.

1. Step-touch

• Step right foot to the side
• Touch left foot next to it
• Step left foot to the side
• Touch right foot next to it

2. March

• Lift right knee up
• Put it down
• Lift left knee up
• Put it down
• Repeat

3. Clap

• Clap hands to the beat
• Clap up high
• Clap down low
• Clap side to side

4. Turn

• Spin around slowly
• Turn to the right
• Turn to the left
• Keep balance

5. Jump

• Jump with both feet
• Jump forward
• Jump backward
• Jump side to side

Which body parts do we use in dance?

• Head: nod, shake, turn
• Arms: wave, swing, up and down
• Waist: bend, twist, rotate
• Legs: kick, march, step
• Feet: tap, stamp, jump
• Whole body: move together with rhythm

Dance tips

• Listen to the music
• Follow the beat
• Move your body freely
• Smile and have fun
• Practise the steps
• Dance with confidence

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. We dance during morning _____.
   • a) sleep
   • b) assembly
   • c) food
2. Traditional dance comes from our _____.
   • a) enemies
   • b) culture
   • c) school only
3. In step-touch, we step and _____.
   • a) sleep
   • b) touch
   • c) cry
4. When dancing, we should listen to the _____.
   • a) silence
   • b) music
   • c) noise
5. We use our _____ body when dancing.
   • a) half
   • b) no
   • c) whole

Assignment

1. Practise the step-touch dance move at home.
2. Draw someone dancing.
3. Learn one traditional dance from your parents.
4. Dance to your favourite song and show your family.