H.O.P.E.

3
Health Optimizing Physical
Education
LESSON 1
NATURE AND ELEMENTS OF
DANCE
ALLAN B. GARGANIAN
What I Know
Directions: Read each
question carefully. Choose
the letter of the correct
answer.
1. A person who designs dance for the
stage.
a. Choreographer b. chorus
c. choreography d. all of the above

2. Rene is practicing contemporary dance

uses his arms, head, and torso. What
element of dance is present in the example
given?
A. energy b. space
c. motion d. time
3. Which of the following is an isolation?
a. Sit ups b. high knees
c. head/neck rollsd. splits

4. Which is not the fundamental

composition elements of dance?
A. shape b. space
c. texture d. time
5. What is an example of time?
a. High and low b. slow and fast
c. sharp and fluid d. all of the above

6. What are locomotion movements?

A. movements that travel through space
b. walking, running and galloping
c. hopping, skipping and jumping
d. all of the above
7. It is an expression of the body, following
rhythmic patterns and is accompanied by music.
a. dance b. singing
c. drama d. all of the above

8. In body mechanics, which of the following

scenarios is most likely to result in alignment
problems?
a. imbalance muscular strength and flexibility
b. insufficient joint mobility
c. imbalance in upper-body and lower-body
temperature
9. The basic step in dancing that shows respect
to audience.
a. gallop b. bow
c. skip d. sway

10. a dance that originated in china

a. ballet
b. cha cha cha
c. hip hop
d. boggie
1. What can you
say about the
picture?

2. What kind of
feeling do you
think does the
picture impose?
 According to Barbara Mettler
(1980) dance is an activity which
can take many forms and fill
many different needs. It can be
recreation, entertainment,
education, therapy and religion.
In its purest and most basic form,
dance is arts, the arts of body
Definition of Dance
It is a form of art using rhythmic
bodily movements expressing ideas
and emotions and is accompanied by
music. As an art form, it maybe tell a
story, set a mood or express
emotion. Dance is recognized as a
form of recreation and considered a
form of socialization.
History of the Dance

Prehistoric Period

The Egyptians were the first

great culture to infuse its society
with the magic of dance, which
revolved from the simplest rituals
used by hunters to find their prey.
Greek Period
Greek dance evolved from basic
dramatic form which incorporated
dance, music, spoken words and
costumes. Participation in dance and
drama festival was a religious
exercise, not merely an amusement.
There were more than 200 Greek
dances designed for every mood and
purpose.
Roman Period
Roman dance was influenced by
Etruscan and Greek dance. Pyrrhic dances,
for example, were invented by Greeks but
popularized by Romans (Ancient Greece).
Dancing priests that were members of the
noble class did war dances in full armor
with a sacred shield in their left hand and a
staff in the right hand. They also did a
fertility dance to honor Pan.
Roman Period
Rome imported entertainers from
Greece to perform theatrical pieces in
honor of the gods and to amuse a
population weary from a plague.
Romans were influenced by Grecian
models, putting the most emphasis on
the spectacle and mine to the extent
that dancing itself almost disaapeared
Medieval Period
During the Middle Ages, dancing was a very reserved
practice and the church played a crucial role in the
development of medieval dances. The church primarily did
not approve of medieval dancing. However, it eventually
became accepted and became part of some religious sermons
or ceremonies.
Medieval dances showcased a variety of rich cultures
from different parts of Europe. There were several types of
dances that were popularised during the medieval period
such as Carol, Basse Dance, The Egg Dance, Scottish Dance,
among many others. Instruments such as drums and lutes
were also used while dancing. They were used as
Renaissance Period
Renaissance dances belong to the broad group of
historical dances. During the Renaissance period, there was a
distinction between country dances and court dances. Court dances
required the dancers to be trained and were often for display and
entertainment, whereas country dances could be attempted by
anyone. At Court, the formal entertainment would often be followed by
many hours of country dances which all present could join in. Dances
described as country dances such as Chiarantana or Chiaranzana
remained popular over a long period – over two centuries in the case
of this dance. A Renaissance dance can be likened to a ball.
Classical Period
1. A classical dance form characterized by
grace and precision of movement and by
elaborate formal gestures, steps, and poses.
2. A theatrical presentation of group or solo
dancing to a musical accompaniment, usually
with costume and scenic effects, conveying a
story or theme.
Modern Period
Modern dance, theatrical dance that
began to develop in the United States and
Europe late in the 19th century, receiving
its nomenclature and a widespread success
in the 20th. It evolved as a protest against
both the balletic and the interpretive dance
traditions of the time.
Creative movement
Dance, and drama are powerful imaginative
tools that we use to help children explore, form a
positive image of themselves and build healthy
self-identities. It also serves as a wonderful way
for the little ones to work on their self-awareness
and self-esteem while being physically active.
• Benefit of dance
- improved condition of your heart and lungs.
- increased muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness.
- increased aerobic fitness.
- improved muscle tone and strength.
- weight management.
- stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis.
- better coordination, agility and flexibility.
Elements of dance
4 Elements of dance
a. Space
b. Time
c. Force/Energy
d. Body
1. Space
the area surrounding a person in which he/she able to
move.
a. level – the vertical distance from the floor. (high, medium or
low)
b. directions – the body movements (e.g. forward, backward,
up, down, sideways, diagonally.)
c. focus – where the dancer’s eyes look as he/she is dancing.
d. size – how larger or small movements
e. shape – the movements of dancing that create formation.
2. Time
Beat – the ongoing underlying pulse
Tempo – how fast or slow the movements are
executed.
Accent – strong beats that usually occur at regular
intervals.
Rhythmic patterns – arranging long and short
movements, strong ang light movements.
Duration – the length of time the movement last.
3. Force - this gives indication how the body uses
energy while moving
FORCE – ENERGY
a. heavy/light
b. sharp/smooth
c. tensed/relaxed
d. bound/flowing
4. Body
a. part
b. shape; circles, squares, triangles, etc..
Made with parts of the body, the whole body, with
groups of people, or by moving through space
symmetrical or asymmetrical.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD DANCE
1. Unity – interconnected phrases of the dance are
coherent and flow smoothly together. It attracts and
holds the audience’s attention.
2. Variety and Contrast – add excitement and flavor in
the dance. Changing the direction, use of energy,
timing of a movement phrase, and avoiding repeating
them in the exact way, are ways to add variety to the
dance.
3. Transition – also vital because it keeps the unity and
continuity of the dance. It may vary from length and
complexity. They maybe long or short, gradual or
abrupt.
4. Repetition – usually when a certain phrase or a
section of choreography is repeated, it is the main
message of the dance, also the audience can see
those movements again and identify its significance.
5. Climax – the apex of energy in the dance is
reached.
What’s more
Dance Timeline
Direction: make a timeline of dance using
the graphic organizer.

Pre-historic Greek Roman Medieval Renaissance

Classic Modern
What I Have Learned

Answer the following questions.

1. what are the benefits of performing

a dance?
2. enumerate and explain the elements
of dance.
3. enuemerate and explain the
characteristics of a good dance.
 Thank You
and
God bless us