Sample Lesson Plan: Beginning Modern Technique

GOALS:
This class will explore expanding and reaching through the entire upper body as well as actively
thinking about the oppositional pull of the tailbone reaching down while the upper body reaches
up. This class will introduce tendus this week and continue to improve and build upon skills the
students have previously been introduced to.

OUTLINE OF EXERCISES:
1. FLOOR
2. ROLL DOWN/PLIE
3. FOOT ARTICULATION/TENDU
4. UNDERCURVE/OVERCURVE
5. PRANCES
6. PARTNER PRANCES
7. TRIPLETS
8. COMBINATION
9. COOL DOWN

1. FLOOR: DUPLE METER: (10 SETS OF 8 EACH SIDE)

a. 4 spine imprints (1,2,3,4) relax (5,6,7,8) X2
b. Full 8 to expand out to X
c. 2 expansions-arching from the distal ends (4 counts each) right, left
d. 1 Head Tail (1,2,3,4)
e. Expand to X: (5,6,7,8)
f. Bring feet under and repeat starting left (8 counts)

Rationale: This is to build a relationship with the floor and strengthen students’ understanding of
a head-tail connection along with expansion. The goal is for students to become more
comfortable with a neutral & imprinted spine.
Time: 10 Minutes

2. ROLLDOWN AND PLIÉ: DUPLE METER: (5 SETS OF 8 EACH POSITION)

a. Parallel first: Roll down w/ plie (8 counts)
b. Right leg pliés, left leg pliés (4 counts each leg)
c. Plié and walk hands out to downward dog (4)
d. Hold downward dog (4)
e. 2 pedals (4 counts each)
 f. Walk back (4 counts)
g. Roll up (4 counts)
h. Repeat in turned out first...
i. Shift to parallel second
j. Roll down (8)
k. Right leg bends, left leg bends (4 counts each)
l. Plié to roll up (8)
m. Lateral expansions right and left (8 counts each)
n. Turned out second, repeat

Rationale: This combination is to continue working on feeling the head tail connection as well
as waking up their knees and ankles. Stretches are included to teach students how to stretch and
warm up properly. For example, in the roll downs, the students will be encouraged to properly
drop their heads to release tension.
Time: 10 minutes

3. FOOT ARTICULATION/TENDU: TRIPLE METER (6 SETS OF 8)

a. Right Leg
i. Parallel first: half pointe, full pointe, half pointe, lower
ii. Push half pointe, full (like a prance) x2
iii. Tendus articulate half, full (4 sets), plié stretch, Two tendus articulate one
out, one in (2 sets)
1. We’re only doing tendus to the front
b. Repeat all w/ Left Leg
c. Repeat in first
Rationale: This exercise is to prepare students for more complicated exercises later on in class
and in future classes. A combination like this has them further understanding how to push
through the floor in the tendus, articulate their feet fully to pointe and harness a flow of energy to
push through the floor. Tendus also are a transitioning step and this aids in students transitioning
through movements in the future. Starting this earlier in class leads to preventing injury and
implementing safe ways to move as a Modern dancer.
Time: 15 Minutes

4. UNDERCURVE/OVERCURVE: DUPLE METER (5 SETS OF 8, x2)

a. Under-up, under-up in parallel
b. Over, over 0
c. Transition to next wall (x4)
d. Hold for 8 and repeat to the left
Rationale: Students will work more with their pelvis while standing in an upright position, they
will work through plies and releves by further exploring their deepest under curves and over
curves. They get to discover their independence through exploring their artistry in a combination
like this. They work on changing their focus by going with the over and under curve and release
tension by looking out of the mirror.
Time: 10 Minutes

5. PRANCES ACROSS THE FLOOR: DUPLE METER (Continuous Music)

a. Parallel prances across floor
Rationale: To revisit the skills and concepts worked on in previous classes and apply the
articulation that was explored earlier during the warm up. Focus on guiding the sternum outward
through a focus on chest expansion.
Time: 5 Minutes

6. PARTNER PRANCES ACROSS THE FLOOR: DUPLE (Continuous Music)

a. 8 prances holding hands on diagonal
b. Grapevines w/ partner; upstage leg goes back first
Rationale: Encourages students to become more familiar with interacting with other students in
the class spatially and in a partner setting. A facing change is included to get students out of their
comfort zone and build confidence for future exercises.
Time: 5 Minutes

7. TRIPLETS ACROSS THE FLOOR: TRIPLE METER (6 SETS OF 3s)

a. 3 triplets
b. Overcurve triplet downstage
c. Grain upstage
Rationale: Triplets will allow the students to continue working on undercurves, but the main
goal is to feel the sternum guiding the students across the floor (feeling the expansion of the
chest). The goal is for this to be achieved without lifting their heads too much, so focus will be a
leading concept in this exercise, along with musicality.
Time: 10 minutes

8. COMBINATION: TRIPLE METER (4 sets of 3 x5 for each side)

a. Starting in turned out first, arms prep to second position, right leg tendus to side
(4 sets)
b. Undercurve with arm parallel from earlier in class (1 set)
c. Overcurve to the left (1 set)
d. One triplet to change body facing (1 set)
e. Hold in turned out first (1 set)
 f. Repeat to all side to make a box
g. Repeat everything starting to the left
Rationale: The goal of this combination is to make connections from previous classwork.
Incorporating body facing changes will encourage students to get out of the mirror and to
challenge their minds. The different dynamics between under and overcurves will be explored,
and the students will be challenged to demonstrate the differences in energy qualities using their
own artistry.
Time: 10 minutes

9. COOL DOWN:
a. Walk around the space slowly for 4 counts of 8
b. Find yourself a spot in a large circle in the room for 2 counts of 8
c. Breathe in for 4, Breathe out for 4, repeat once more
d. Roll down in plie for 4, Stay down stretch for 4, Roll up in plie for 4, arms up to
the sky reach for 4, relax for 4, REPEAT
Rationale: To reconnect with students at the end of class, cool down and breathe.
Time: 3-5 Minutes (Only if spare time after class)