American High School

9th Grade Physical Education Dance Project

Overview: Students will work together in small groups and research a dance that they will demonstrate and teach in front of their peers.

Objectives: Students will gain practice in the following areas:

1. Researching          2.Writing         3.Demonstrating       4.Peer teaching

Overview: Students will work together in small groups and research a dance that they will each write a paper about, demonstrate and teach in front of their peers.

Objectives: Students will gain practice in the following areas:

1. Researching          2.Writing         3.Demonstrating       4.Peer teaching

Resources/Material needed:

Library research, internet research, music, positive attitude

Activities and Procedures:

1. Students will choose groups of 6-10  people (size of group is dependent on size of class). Groups are responsible for researching a dance that they are assigned/choose to demonstrate and teach to their peers.

2. A research paper must be turned in on or before the last day of the dance unit.

     The research paper must include:

            - hand written, legible, in ink, on lined notebook paper, single spaced

- each of the items below must be done by a different member of the group,each paper 'must' be one page in length ( if more than 8 people are in the group, then an item may be done twice):

1- HISTORY of the dance

2- STEPS TRADITIONAL DANCE STEPS PLUS…..

            ADDITIONAL STEPS ADDED (MIN. OF 16 COUNTS/ BEATS)

3-JOURNAL

            DAILY ACCOUNT OF WORKOUT/PRACTICE; STRUGGLE?, MOVING  ALONG?

4- APPROPRIATE/ ALTERNATIVE MUSIC TEMPO BEAT

5-MOOD-How was the dance used socially/what was the intent?

6-CLOTHING AND ATTIRE AND SHOES/ FOOTWEAR

            EVEN IF NOT WORN- WHAT TYPE OF OUTFIT ASSOCIATED WITH THE DANCE?

7- FITNESS BENEFITS

            HOW DOES THIS DANCE CONTRIBUTE TO AN INDIVIDUALS HEALTH?

8- WHY our group chose this particular dance to learn about?

3. The chosen dance must be presented to the class as a group. Each member must demonstrate some part of the dance. The group will have one or two days to present the material to class. It is suggested to be as creative as possible. Make it fun! If your group wants to dress up or come in costumes, please do.

4. Grades will be based on:

 50% for quality of paper.

a. Paper must include all requirements

b. Paper must be neat with proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

c. Paper must be in own words. Do not copy out of encyclopedia, web sites or from any other source.

Plagiarism will result in failure of the unit.

                                                50% for quality of presentation:

a. Was it well organized? Did you speak clearly and concisely when speaking to the class?

b. Did you spend enough time preparing and practicing?

c. Were you successful in teaching the dance to your classmates in the time you had available?

Not showing for your assigned presentation without previously arranging the absence with your teacher will result in failure of the unit.

Your dance choice will be approved by your instructor before you begin your work.

You should be sure everyone in your group knows what he or she is doing and is well-practiced.

All students learning their classmates dance will be graded on their effort, courtesy and how well they master each dance.

            Not showing for your assigned presentation without previously arranging the absence with your teacher will result in failure of the unit.