PE 103: Dance and Group Exercises | History of Dance 1

PE 103

Danc
UNIT I: HISTORY OF DANCE
I. Competencies

• Recall and manifest understanding on the basic concepts about dance as an art and its
importance.
• Discover the benefits of dance to the fitness and wellness of an individual.
• Show appreciation about dance as part of one’s life.

II. Development of Concept

PE 103: Dance and Group Exercises | History of Dance 1

D A N C E
DID YOU KNOW?

Dance is masterful movement in a rhythmically coordinated, and expressive

way. It is a vital part of a child’s movement education. When students apply the
aspects of the movement framework to create dance sequences they are learning how
to dance.
Creating dances means exploring the movement framework, selecting
movement elements and refining dance sequences. Here, learning is on a higher level
than simply repeating a dance that was created by another. It is important to note that
“traditional” dances such as square, folk, and social/ballroom do have an important
place in physical education. These dances can be broken down, by the teacher or the
student, into body, space, effort and relationship aspects. Students can use these
pieces of dances to create their own unique dance.

-( CEDAR SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HANOVER,

MA)

H I S T O R Y

Dance has always been with us, even before the arrival of written language and modern history,
when our earliest cultures evolved utilizing oral and performance methods to pass the stories from one
generation to the next. Many historians believe that social, celebratory and ritual dances are one of the
essential factors of the development of early human civilizations.

From the earliest moments of known human history, dance accompanied ancient rituals, spiritual
gatherings and social events. As a conduit of trance, spiritual force, pleasure, expression, performance
and interaction, dance became infused into our nature from the earliest moments of our existence -
from the moment when first African tribes covered themselves in war-paint to the to the spreading of
music and dance across all four corners of the world. Without a doubt, dancing remains one of the
most expressive forms of communications that we know.

The oldest proof of existence of dancing comes from the 9000 year old cave paintings that were
found in India, which depicts various scenes of hunting, childbirth, religious rites, burials and most
 PE 103: Dance and Group Exercises | History of Dance 1

importantly, communal drinking and dancing. Since dancing itself cannot leave clearly identifiable
archeological artifacts that can be found today, scientist looked for secondary clues, written word,
stone carvings, paintings and similar artifacts. (Dance Facts)

Dance is defined as…

A series of rhythmic expressive body movements that has pattern and goes through the speed
and rhythm of a music.

Expression of feelings A form of ART

Why do People Dance?

for recreation for competition

for execercise for entertainment

7.
for worship/ rituals 7.

Elements of Dance
.
These are the foundational concepts and vocabulary that help students
develop movement skills and understand dance as an artistic practice
1. Space/range/dimension 3. Level- this refers to the way a 4. Direction- the course or
performer executes the movements way in which movement is
2. Focus- This how performers in low (floor level such kneeling, directed such forward,
appear with reference to the lying ect.) middle (half kneel, backward, sideward.
audience view. The nearer the standing position ect.) and high
performer, the bigger he would (standing with the ball or lifting the
appear, the farther the performer body as jumping ect.)
the smaller he would appear.

5. Floor Design/
Pathways/ Contours or
Shape- shapes and forms
6. Mass and Volume- This is dictated by the number of the bodies created by the body or
performing through space. There are dances or part of the dance bodies as they move
performance that require more dancers while some requires less or few through space.

Balance- it may be static ordynamic in nature. Static balance is balance at rest, while dynamic balance is
balance in motion.
PE 103: Dance and Group Exercises | History of Dance 1

Benefits of Dance
Dance is an ideal exercise as it involves total body workout. It is a best way to
connect the all boy planes and parts moving to a single kind activity. Dance makes
exercising more fun and enjoyable. Like any other forms of exercise, dance provides
many benefits:

Physical
Dance is an ideal exercise as it involves total body workout. It is a best way to
connect the all boy planes and parts moving to a single kind activity. Dance makes
exercising more fun and enjoyable. Like any other forms of exercise, dance provides
many benefits:

1. Improves cardiovascular health

The heart-pumping health benefits of dance are right in line with the Department of
Health and Human Services’ physical activity guidelines Trusted Source for adults.

2. Improves balance and strength

Dance is such a great form of physical fitness, it’s because it incorporates movements on
all planes of motion and from all directions.

3. Gentle on your body

Many forms of dancing, such as ballroom, are appropriate for people with limited
mobility or chronic health issues.

Mental
1. Boosts cognitive performance
If you need a reason to get moving, consider this: A lot of research shows how dancing
can maintain and even boost your ability to think as you age.
But how does this happen? Well, according to some studies, scientists have found that the
areas of the brain that control memory and skills, such as planning and organizing, improve
with exercise like dance.

2. Challenges your brain

If you’ve ever tried tap dancing, then you know exactly what we mean by dance
challenging your brain.
PE 103: Dance and Group Exercises | History of Dance 1

Tylicki points out that the brain power you need to access for dance, specifically, requires
you to focus on both the constant changing of movement and recalling moves and patterns.
This is an excellent form of mental exercise for your mind, regardless of your age

Emotional

1. Is inclusive
One of the greatest things about dance is that anyone can participate. If you are able to
move, even if you only use your upper body, you can already dance..

2. Can be a social activity

While you may prefer to bust a move when no one is watching, there is something
incredible about dancing with others

3. Helps boost your mood

“Movement and dance are extremely expressive, which can allow you to escape and let
loose,” It’s this “letting loose” that helps improve Trusted Source your mental and emotional
health by reducing stress, decreasing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and boosting
your self-esteem

Importance of Dance

III. Activities/ Exercises

Activity 1. PAR-Q with You
In any physical activity that we plan to do, always remember to check the
status of your health in order to avoid untoward incidents. This set of

Dance also enables students to better understand themselves and the world in which they live.
Through the arts, teachers can often teach children to recognize the contribution of all cultures to
PE 103: Dance and Group Exercises | History of Dance 1

the fabric of our society and increase the understanding of diversity and values of all people.
Dance lends itself well to this task through learning traditional dances and creating new ones
based on children’s ideas. Dance also enhances skills of perception, observation, and
concentration which will undoubtedly help students in all of their school subjects.

questionnaires will guide you in assessing your physical condition. Check

the boxes provided below. Answer with all honesty.

njury

Activity 3. Let’s Start Grooving!

Choose one Multi Media Application (e.g. Tiktok, Youtube, Fcaebook, Instagram, etc),
and follow one dance. Video your output and submit it in our platform (FB messenger, google
classroom, Edmodo, etc). This will serve as your preliminary dance activity.
Note: Wear proper attire.
Rubric for grading the performance task.
Criteria Points Scores

Execution (Mastery, Timing, precise and clarity of 20 pts.

movements)
Gracefulness (Showmanship, executes the 10 pts.
movements lively and proper gestures)
Creativity (clarity of video presentation, proper 10 pts
attire)
Submission of the task on-time 10 pts.

Total 50 pts.
PE 103: Dance and Group Exercises | History of Dance 1

Activity 4. Word Search