Unit Dates: January 2016 April 2016

Teacher Name: Miss Kat

Ferriss
Unit Theme
Introduction to Release Technique
Unit Objectives
Understand the basic ideas and concepts of what release technique
consists of.
Explore and understand ones breath and the effects it has when
releasing parts of the body.
Understand the difference between weight and weightless movement.
Utilize gravity and energy to develop a grounded relationship with the
floor.
Use imagery to explain and explore ways of falling and releasing.
Create individualized movement phrases utilizing release technique.
Have a general background on the origins of release technique.
Lesson 1
Working together to discover ways that our bodies can move with the
involvement of set combinations keeping room to explore individually. This
class involves group discussions involving discoveries, imagery, and ideas.
The teacher is learning with students on how to incorporate the objectives
provided in the choreographed combinations.
One will be able to understand the use of breath and its effects on
their individual body
To be able to explore movement qualities by changing the dynamics in
your breath
Understand how to utilize breath to fully release into the floor
Engage breathing techniques within any phrase
The effects of not using breathe while moving
Lesson 2
This class will be a hands-on partner exploration class. We will be working
in pairs to help discover how to be fully weighted into the floor and
understand what gravity does to the body. This class will allow students to
develop a relationship with the floor and explore the opportunities it
provides. The teacher will provide images, guidelines, and a few set
combinations to encourage the students to understand the concepts
discussed through out class.
One will be able to understand the use and direction of gravity
Explore the body and its relationship with the floor
Understand how to utilize the weight of gravity to help grounded
movement
Find ways to use weight to stabilize movement in phrase work
Explore the idea of fighting gravity
Lesson 3

This class will include learning from research/exploration using a rubber

band and the human body. We will use the visual aid to better understand
the learning objectives and use our bodies to explore our discoveries. The
teacher will lead this class with room for students to interpret and
understand the outlined combinations differently in their unique bodies.
One will be able to understand the concepts of tension versus release
Explore energy flowing through different parts of the body
Understand how to utilize energy to create dynamic movement
Find ways to use tension and release properties in phrase work
Explore different ways of releasing the body
Lesson 4
This class will be the final lesson in the unit plan and will be piecing together all of
the lessons. Students will be able to relate the lessons to come to a better
understanding of the unit. It will incorporate not only movement based learning,
but also conceptual learning. We will use film as a visual and informative aid on the
history of the unit concept. This class will include many discussions that will lead to
exercises exploring these ideas. Students will leave the class having a stronger
understanding of what the unit concept is.

Understand the basic concepts of what release technique is

Be able to communicate and share concepts of release technique
Obtain a basic knowledge of the history of release technique
Explore different ways of releasing the body, incorporating lessons 1-3