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PEd002

College of SPEAR | MSU-Marawi | Second Semester, A.Y. 2021-2022

Prepared by:
MARIA FATIMA A. SILANG
Instructor III
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UNIT 1: Introduction to Dance

Overview
After learning the important concepts about PE and acquiring substantial
knowledge about the importance of valuing physical activity on a day-to-day basis as a
factor towards healthy, prosperous, and useful life, indeed, understanding dance as one
of the options for physical activity is deemed essential. Since then, it has been proven
that dancing contributes to the development and maintenance of optimal health,
wellness, and fitness. Also, it enables one person to build self-esteem and envision a
positive outlook in life. In this unit, let us explore and unlock the important concepts that
we need to know about dance in general. Particularly, the need for us to appreciate the
benefits and purposes of dance in bringing a significant impact in our everyday life.

Specific Learning Outcome

At the end of the unit, you are expected to:
1. Discuss the essence of dance in the life of a student through essay writing.
2. Apply the elements of dance as you choose your favorite dance routine of any
dance type that could best express yourself through a video presentation.

Lesson 1: Dance in General

Let’s Get Started

In this activity, you will be responding to several statements about dance in
general. You may accomplish this by putting a check (✔) mark on the column
corresponding to your response of what you think about dance.

What do I think
about dance?
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Activity 1: What Do I Think About Dance? Agree Disagree

1. Dances are good forms of entertainment only.

2. Dancing is better than any other physical activity like

sports.

3. Dance is an important aspect of my life.

4. Dance is an excellent form of exercise.

5. Participation in dance can distract my focus in studying.

6. I believe that dance can be a medium for cultural

education among youth.

7. Dance I think is also a means of training the youth for good

character.

8. Performing dance is a shameful experience.

9. Dancing is just a waste of time.

10. Dance can be a catalyst for social change.

With the given activity, your responses to the statements about dance may differ
from each other. Others may agree that dance has positive effects on us however,
some would still disagree thinking that dance is just a mere form of entertainment. What
we think of dance is a result of how deep our knowledge and how far have we
experience dance. To help us understand it more, let us uncover and deepen our
understanding of the importance of dance. For this lesson, let
us figure out the definition, brief history, purpose, or function
of dance and its benefits to us.
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What is “Dance”?

The concept of dance is very broad and complex that to give a single definition
that can incorporate all forms of dance and the motivations for carrying them on is
difficult and not enough. Dance may range from social pastime to theatrical
performance, or from religious rite to fitness-related activity. To give meaning and
purpose to dance depends on the viewpoint of a person. Some define dance with
emphasis on its remarkable qualities. Others focus it on social values or the use of
dance as a form of communication.

However, basing on all considerations, dance is defined as an art performed by

individuals or groups of human beings, existing in time, space, force, and flow in which
the human body is the instrument and movement is the medium. The movement is
stylized and the entire dance work is characterized by form and structure. Dance is
commonly performed to musical or other rhythmic accompaniment and has a primary
purpose of expression of inner feelings and emotions, although it is often performed for
social, ritual, entertainment, or other purposes.

Dance Today: Tracing its history!

Primitive and Ancient Civilization Era

People from the prehistoric era

performed ways they hoped would appease
the forces of nature or give them new powers
of their own. It was only during the pre-
Christian era that the real knowledge of dance
came about within the great Mediterranean
and Middle Eastern civilizations. Dance
became full-blown and was richly recorded in
ancient Egypt as reflected in their
wall paintings, reliefs, and in the literary
record in hieroglyphs.
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For ancient Greeks, who thought

highly of dance, it was closely linked with other
kinds of experiences such as an aid to military
education among the boys in Athens and
Sparta, as well as a form of entertainment and
display. The Greeks also used dance to aid
education in general as philosophers such as
Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates strongly
supported this art as an integration of the body
and soul.

Ancient Rome gave less importance to dancing as the nation grew

wealthy and powerful. It became brutal and sensationalized as their entertainers were
slaves and captives from many nationalities. It was used more often for gruesome
purposes. It eventually became an integral part of the corruption in the latter days of the
Roman Empire, resulting in the condemnation of dance by the early Christians.

Medieval Period

After the fall of Rome, the history of dance transformed following the
development of the Catholic Church, which was by then the sole custodian of learning
and education as well as the source of morals. During this time, theatrical entertainment
was prohibited and dance was performed only during worships, church services, and
religious ceremonies.

Although the Church had condemned dance as entertainment, some singers,

dancers, poets, actors, musicians, and jugglers continued to wander in village squares
to perform during the Dark and early Middle Ages. These performers were
eventually welcomed in the castles and lands of feudal lords.

The common people also amused themselves by doing social dances, marking
the beginning of social dancing. Nobility soon followed the peasants’ lead in dancing but
in a more refined and courtly form as court dances emerged as part of the chivalric way
of life.
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Renaissance Period

In this period, the old restraints were

loosened and clerical ideas and purposes no longer
dominate all creative expressions of the human
spirit. The entertainers now became valuable
members of the courts of Italy and France.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, new court

dances in Europe performed by the nobility came about at about the same time as the
rise of the art of ballet in Italy and France. From then on, several other dance forms
continued to sprout and spread across several countries.

After the pinnacle of ballet prominence, contemporary dances that were stylistic
variations of ballet emerged and evolved in Europe. Other dance forms also came to
light and have been widely recognized worldwide.

The Contemporary Period

Eastern countries continued

traditional performances while the Western
civilizations developed new, invigorating
genres. Contemporary and classical Ballet
thrived and modern, tap, jazz, and the newly
popular genre of hip hop shortly infiltrated life
as we know it. The twentieth century not only
introduced science and technology but dance
as entertainment and some of the greatest
artists known to man. Throughout the centuries
dance went through drastic metamorphic changes from traditional rituals, to banned
pagan activity; noble pastimes to a working-class voice; beauty and poise to an outlet
for social and political messages. The history of dance is a rich explanation of the
history of life.
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Why Dance?

One of the life goals an individual must achieve is to have a quality of life which
means to have an ability to live a healthy, satisfying, and useful life. Dancing as physical
activity is important to be a part of a person’s healthy lifestyle because of its functions
and benefits that it can provide to us.

Purpose or Functions of Dance

Dance has many purposes or functions and these vary according to

society, class, age, sex, religious structure, and similar factors. The following listed
below are the purposes or functions of dance that are applicable within the different
kinds of societies.

1. Dance is an artistic form of self-

expression, an outlet for self-expressiveness and
personal creativity. It allows the incorporation of
personal styling, making movement unique to
each dancer.

2. It may also be a form of popular

entertainment, appealing to a broader audience.

3. It is a form of social affirmation, a

means of expressing national or tribal loyalty and
strength.

4. It is a means of religious worship,

as a form of ritual and direct means of
communicating with the gods.

5. It serves as a means of expressing physical exuberance, strength, and agility.

6. It offers an important social and recreational outlet, both as a means of

restoring oneself physically and of finding social acceptance within-group
participation. At a dance, opportunities to meet new people are common.
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7. It serves as a means of education, in the sense that it is taught to achieve the

specific purposes of education within a given society, just as art, music, or
theatre are taught as cultural forms.

8. It serves as an occupation; in increasing numbers, it offers a means of

livelihood to performers and teachers.

9. Dance serves as therapy; for many, it offers a form of physical and emotional
release and rehabilitation; therefore, it is provided, along with other therapies,
in many treatment centers.

10. It can be used as an alternative to sports (for non-athletes). Not many

students are part of athletic teams, but all students can participate in dancing.

11. Dance is a form of aerobic exercise and lifelong activity. Dancing increases
your heart rate, providing cardiovascular benefits. Also, it is easily adaptable
to all age groups.

Benefits of Dance

Aside from the

purposes or functions of
dance, it also offers many
benefits. Dance allows
people to be more active,
socialize and develop
creative and physical
skills.

Physical Benefits. The dance will help develop muscles, tone the body,
improve circulation, improve posture, balance, and coordination and promote greater
flexibility.
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Coordination Benefits. Increased hand-eye coordination and improved fine

motor skills. Students who can perform complex rhythms can also make faster and
more precise corrections in many academic and physical situations.

Mental Benefits. The art of dance helps keep the brain active and the mind
focused that will lead individuals particularly students to excel in their academics and
tend to be more creative.

Learning Benefits. The brain works by electrical current thereby needing

oxygen and water to function well. Movement (dance) helps to provide one of these two
elements, oxygen. Another wonderful thing that happens with movement is that the
brain produces a neuro-chemical called endorphins. This chemical causes a feeling of
energy and reduces stress levels making the brain more conducive to learning.

Emotional Benefits. Dance helps develop self-confidence and self-esteem

in a stimulating environment. The advantage of the arts (music and dance) is that they
link cognitive growth to social and emotional development making students care more
deeply about what they study, they see the links between subjects and their lives, their
thinking capacities grow, they work more diligently, and they learn from each other.

Social Benefits. Dance improves sensitivity, understanding, appreciation,

and consideration for others, both for their similarities and differences. Dance can
broaden a person’s horizons by introducing them to other people and help them better
relate later in life to those they may face and also in their future careers.

Behavioral Benefits. Dance can help calm persons especially children that
suffer from hyperactivity disorders as well as those that suffer from self-destructive
behaviors. The act of dance seems to help calm and focus these troubled young minds.

Cultural Benefits. Dance can offer insight into other cultures, either
through the dance style itself or meeting new people. It can also promote cultural
values.
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Lesson 2: Elements of Dance

Dance as physical activity becomes now more meaningful as we already know its
true nature, purpose, and meaning. As we continue realizing dance in general, same
with all the arts, we need also to understand its language.
Appreciating the world of dance through its language means learning the
elements. These elements are Body, Action, Space, Time, and Energy (B.A.S.T.E.).
When participating in dance, all elements must be integrated all the time.

• Body: Who Dances? The Dancer!

The art of dance takes place in and through
the human body. In dance, the body is the
mobile figure or shape, felt by the dancer, seen
by others. The body is sometimes relatively still
and sometimes changing as the dancer moves in
place or travels through the dance area. Dancers
may emphasize specific parts of their body in a
dance phrase or their whole body. The body is
the channel between the inner realm of
intentions, ideas, emotions, and identity and the
outer realm of expression and communication.

• Action: The Dancer Does What? Moves!

Action is any human movement involved in the act of dancing. Movement can be
divided into two general categories: non-locomotor movement which refers to any
movement that occurs in one spot including a bend, stretch, swing, rise, fall, shake,
turn, rock, tip, suspend, and twist while locomotor movement is any movement that
travels through space including a run, jump, walk, slide, hop, skip, somersault, leap,
crawl, gallop, and roll. Action includes small movements like facial expressions or
gestures, as well as larger movements like lifts, carries, or catches done with a partner
or in a group. Action refers not only to steps and sequences but also to pauses and
moments of relative stillness.
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• Space: Where Does the Dancer Move? Through Space!

There are countless variations and
combinations of ways that movement can
occur in space. Dancers interact with
space in numerous ways. They may stay
in one place (personal space) and move
parts of their body or their whole body, or
they may travel from one place to
another (general space). They may also
change the direction (forward, backward,
right, left, up, down, diagonal), level
(high, middle, low), size (big/small, near/far), and pathways (curved, straight, zigzag) of
their movements. In addition, space includes also the dancers’ orientation (which way
are the dancers facing) and their relationship to each other (how dancers are positioned
in space: are they close or far apart together; are they in front of, beside, over, under,
alone or connected).

• Time: When Does the

Body Move concerning Time?

Human movement is naturally

rhythmic and timing is key to any
dance. Dancers follow the
rhythm or beat to match the
actions with the sound of the
music. Time with dance refers to
duration (brief or long),
speed/tempo (fast/quick or slow),
beat (steady or uneven), accent (single or multiple, on a beat or syncopated), rhythmic
pattern (patterned or free), and timing relationships (before, after, unison/together,
sooner than, faster than).
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• Energy: How Does the Dancer Move

Through Space and Time? With
Energy!
Energy helps us to identify how the dancers
move and what effort are they using. The effort
the dancers use can communicate meaning,
depending on the energy involved. Choices
about energy include variations in movement
flow and use of force, tension, and weight. A
run might be free-flowing or easily stopped, and
it may be powerful or gentle, tight or loose,
heavy or light. Energy may change in an instant
or maybe concurrently in play. Choices of energy may also reveal emotional states. For
example, a powerful push might be aggressive or playfully energetic depending on the
intent and situation. A delicate touch might appear affectionate or uncertain or perhaps
suggest concern.

Video Suggestion for the Elements of Dance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGuD9Geeb2k.
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Lesson 3: Types of Dances

As the history of dance indicates the history of life, the creation and evolution of
the different dance forms and styles also emerged very quickly. Since then, different
dances have changed, merged, and evolved. And these types of dances are being
practiced or performed by different sets of people in different ways.

Each type of dance has its own set of skills, music, and style. Hence, dance can
be classified based on country, region, culture, ethnicity, and others. But there are some
dances which are extensively performed and practiced all over the world. Here are
some of those types of dances.

• Ballet
A classic form of dance that began as a
European court dance and is often referred to as the
backbone of dance since its fundamentals are often
used throughout all other styles of dance as well. This
style of dance is used to tell a story. It relies heavily
on technique and requires an enormous about of
diligence and dedication to perfect. Ballet is typically
danced to classical music and is done wearing slippers
or pointe shoes.

Example Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd2nTXsivHs

• Folk Dance

Folk dancing is celebrated worldwide with people of different cultures and religions.
Folk dances represent musical, cultural heritage, reflections of daily life, or ethnic history
of people who live in a certain region or country. Popular all around the world in
hundreds of unique variations and styles, folk dances (also known as traditional or
ethnic dances) are usually performed at dance gatherings and public events where
people can participate regardless of whether they are professional or complete
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beginners. Such dances are also accompanied by traditional music to further enhance
the cultural experience.

Example Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQkV996Gns8

• Ballroom

Ballroom dances are done with a partner, almost always a man and a woman. For
this reason, it is known as the social dance, because of the interaction between the two
dance partners. Ballroom dances have evolved into two main subgenres – Standard
and Latin. In addition, it is also a popular form of competitive dance, or dancesport, with
competitions being held all over the world. There are several popular types of ballroom
dances including the cha-cha-cha, foxtrot, jive, lindy hop, mambo, Paso Doble,
quickstep, rumba, samba, tango, Vietnamese waltz, and the waltz.

Example Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHz71XG9Y_Y

• Contemporary Dance

Contemporary dance is a highly

complicated type of modern dance
performance that originated in the mid-20th
century. This style of dance incorporates
lyrical, modern, ballet, and jazz. This type of
dance is all about connecting the mind and
the body through dance movements. It is
typically done barefoot and there is a heavy emphasis on strongly controlled legwork. It
also focuses on free leg movement, strong stress on the torso, disordered
choreography, unpredictability, multiple and simultaneous actions, improvisation, and
non-standardized costumes, sets, and lighting. This style often allows the dancer
creative freedom and can be danced to a variety of different music.

Example Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF6iud4XJRQ&list=RDHF6iud4XJRQ&index=1
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• Jazz

This type of dance is very fun and energetic.

It is typically paired with upbeat music such as
hip-hop or show tunes to add a theatrical flair.
Jazz dancers often have more freedom to
express their personalities through their dance
performances. These dances usually have quick
footsteps, lots of leaps and turns, and unique
moves.

Example Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d80gCGW2E4

• Tap
Tap dance is probably best known for the type of
shoes the dancers wear. Tap dancers wear special
shoes with metal taps on the soles that allow them
to create their drum-like rhythmic patterns and
sound while they dance. Although a majority of the
focus in this dance is on the feet, dancers use also
their upper bodies and arms to blend the
movements of their routine.
Example Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4FYNF02yEM

• Line Dancing

Line Dancing is a social dance that is made up of a sequence of repeated

steps and is traditionally associated with country-western music. It is a solo
dance that is danced in a straight line, a circle, or in a “follow the leader” pattern.
Footwear is decided by the dancer and is if often cowboy boots for the men and
heels for the women.

Example Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzru3ZygkIg

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• Hip-hop

Hip-hop is a style of dance that evolved from hip-hop culture and is typically danced
to, of course, hip-hop music. It is a popular commercial dance style that originated in the
streets of New York City and it is sometimes called urban dance or street dance.
Breakdancing is the most well-known type of hip-hop dance, but other styles include
krumping, popping, and locking. This style of dance is probably the most different from
the other forms. It is generally very energetic and allows the dancer to have freedom of
movement within the routine and incorporate their personalities.

Example Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEJwzras5TI

• Ceremonial Dance
This is a type of dance performed during any ceremonies or for any
religious rituals. It is also called ritual dance or festival dance. Ceremonial dance
is often related and overlaps with sacred dance and ecstatic dance type. This
type of dance is usually performed to uplift the community spirit. The ceremonial
dance type is different for different religions and also different in different regions
(countries or places).

Example Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItDGJwERMJg

• Novelty or Fad Dance

Novelty or fad dances are typically characterized by a quick burst of
popularity. Some of these dances may get a longer-lasting life. These are also
called trendy dances or crazy dances which become popular overnight. Some of
these Novelty or fad dances were freestyle type which means that there were no
particular dance steps or patterns.

Example Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5A9go-28xU

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UNIT I ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 2: The Essence of Dance

Direction: After acquiring substantial knowledge about dance, it is time to share your
point of view on the real meaning of dance in the life of the people particularly in the life
of a student.
For this activity, you will be writing an essay composing of 3-5 paragraphs. You
may use the same title or create a new one as long as it is related to the main topic.
Also, please refer to the rubric for essay writing to guide you in accomplishing the
activity.

Assessment Tool: Rubrics for Persuasive Essay Writing

(Note: This is the assessment tool that will be used by your instructor in grading your
essay. Kindly read each criterion for your guidance in the next page.)

ACTIVITY 3: Self-Expression through Dance

Direction: To experience dance as an outlet of self-expression, you are now allowed to

express yourself through dance. For this activity, you will be creating a 2-3 minutes
video performance of your favorite dance routine of any type incorporating the dance
elements.
To do this, you need to search and select a dance routine, practice it several
times to master the sequence of movements, and apply the five elements of dance.
When you are ready, perform it with music, wear appropriate attire for your dance and
record yourself in a video. Please refer to your work with the rubrics for a dance
performance to direct you in completing the task.

Assessment Tool: Rubrics for Dance Performance

(Note: This is the assessment tool that will be used by your instructor in grading your
dance performance. Kindly read each criterion for your guidance.)
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RUBRICS FOR PERSUASIVE ESSAY WRITING

Above Standards Meets Standards Approaching Below Standards
CATEGORY 10pts. 8pts. Standards 4pts.
6pts.
*Outstanding * Solid development *Adequate *Lacks
development of ideas, of ideas, analysis development of ideas, development of
analysis *Good elaboration analysis ideas, analysis
*Strong elaboration on most ideas with *Elaboration only *Lacks elaboration
Ideas & on all ideas with most supporting present on some ideas or supporting
Content abundant supporting detail present with adequate details
detail present *Content is supporting detail *Content is vague
*Content is engaging interesting and present and unoriginal
and original original *Content is appropriate
and original
The position The position A position statement is There is no position
statement provides a statement provides a present but does not statement.
Position clear, strong clear statement of make the author\'s
Statement statement of the the author\'s position clear.
author\'s position on position on the topic.
the topic.
*Paragraphs are * Paragraphs are * Paragraphs lack *Paragraphs are
impressively coherent sufficiently coherent development; the not
& cohesive; each & cohesive; each specific purpose of developed/focused;
paragraph clearly paragraph expresses paragraphs is often there is no obvious
Organization expresses a specific a specific purpose unclear purpose
purpose *Relevant topic *Relationships between *No relationship
*Relevant topic sentence that relates topic sentence and between topic
sentence that clearly to the thesis thesis often unclear sentence and thesis
relates to the thesis
*Sentences are *Sentences are well *Sentences are *Sentences are
mature, exact, and written and adequate and unclear/vague and
demonstrate demonstrate demonstrate word choice is poor
appropriate word appropriate word acceptable word choice *Poor—lacks
choice choice *Average—student student viewpoint
*Outstanding— *Good—student viewpoint is generally *Lacks flow of ideas
Style
student viewpoint viewpoint is evident understandable but and content
clear throughout but may lack full often unclear
*Excellent flow of clarity *Some problems with
ideas and content *Nice flow of ideas the flow of ideas and
throughout and content content throughout
throughout
The author makes no The author makes 1- The author makes 3-4 The author makes
errors in grammar or 2 errors in grammar errors in grammar or more than 4 errors
Grammar & spelling that distract or spelling that spelling that distract the in grammar or
Spelling the reader from the distract the reader reader from the spelling that
content. from the content. content. distract the reader
from the content.
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RUBRICS FOR DANCE PERFORMANCE

Excellent Good Acceptable Partial Minimal
Category
10pts. 8 pts. 6 pts. 4 pts. 2 pts.
Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Remembers a
excellent good knowledge of some few of the
Knowledge of
knowledge of knowledge of choreography. knowledge of steps/
Choreography
the choreography. Some errors choreography, movements
Memory of the
choreography Few errors, (3-5) causing a but is unsure and tries, but
routine and
and does it well. however, it brief pause in of some look lost.
execution of the
does not the movements.
moves looks true
interfere with performance. Sometimes
to the moves that
performance. hesitates and
were
makes several
choreographed.
errors.

The dancer The dancer Dancer Only some Although

performed with performed performed understanding remembers
great attention with attention with attention of technical some of the
to the quality of to detail of to most details elements (e.g., dances, little
movement, technique and of technique footwork, attention is
Technical Skills
body position, has attained but hasn’t quality of paid to how
Pointing toes,
placement on proficiency in attained movements, movements
back straight, arm
stage, and other dance style. proficiency in body positions) are done or
placement is not
details of the dance style demonstrated other details of
sloppy, moves are
dance. Also yet. in the dance.
executed
demonstrates Some technical performance.
smoothly.
an excellent errors.
understanding
of the dance
style.

The dancer The dancer The dancer The dancer is The dancer is
Performance draws the communicates communicates generally not very
Skills audience into with the with the focused, but focused on
Projection of eye wanting to audience audience only some making eye
contact and watch her and through eye through eye attempt made contact,
cheerful facial can engage the contact and contact and to grab the concentrated,
expressions with audience facial and body facial attention of or committed
the audience. The completely expression. expression. the audience to
dancer is through her Can engage Occasionally with eye performance.
confident with performance. A the audience. loses focus. contact and
movements. true joy to good facial
watch! expression.
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The dancer The dancer The dancer The dancer The dancer
created body created body created body created body created body
shapes with shapes with shapes with shapes with shapes with
movement movement movement movement movement.
Elements of
through space through space through space through space.
Dance
and time with and time using and time.
energy using relationships.
relationships.

Shows a Accurate in Generally Shows a basic Attempts to

complete beat, tempo, accurate in understanding keep a rhythm,
understanding rhythms of beat, tempo, of tempo and but gets
Rhythm/Tempo
of tempo and dance rhythms of beat, but falls offbeat and
Staying on the
beat and stays sequences dance behind and/or speeds up or
count and with
on rhythm throughout the sequences speeds up in falls behind
the beats of the
throughout the dance. most of the places or often. Doesn’t
music
dance. time. makes errors follow the beat
in rhythm. in music.

Note: Submit or turn in your Activities 1, 2 & 3 in our Google classroom on or before
March 16, 2022 (MW Class), March 17, 2022 (TTH Class).