This document outlines a dance lesson that teaches students about choreographic devices including unison, canon, levels, direction, dynamics, repetition, retrograde, and re-order. The lesson objective is for students to be able to use these devices to create dance material. Students will work in groups to choreograph a dance using the devices and will be assessed on their demonstration of the choreographic process, with distinctions for confidence and creativity.

1. The Development of Dance
Key Words
Motif
Unison
Canon
Levels
Direction
Dynamics
Repetition
Retrograde
Re-order

2. Lesson Objective
To be able to use the choreographic devices unison, canon,
levels, direction, dynamics, repetition, retrograde and
re-order
 ALL students will create dance material that demonstrates key
elements of the choreographic process (Pass 3)
 MOST students will create dance material that demonstrates key
elements of the choreographic process clearly and creatively (Merit
3)
 SOME students will create dance material that demonstrates key
elements of the choreographic process with confidence and
creativity (Distinction 3)
Key Words
Unison, Canon, Levels, Direction, Dynamics, Repetition,
Retrograde and Re-order

3. Quick quiz
Get into your groups from the previous
lesson.
What do you think these choreographic
devices are?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Unison
Canon
Levels
Direction
Dynamics
Repetition
Retrograde
Re-order
To be able to use the choreographic
devices unison, canon, levels,
direction, dynamics, repetition,
retrograde and re-order
 ALL students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process (Pass 3)
 MOST students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process clearly and
creatively (Merit 3)
 SOME students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process with confidence and
creativity (Distinction 3)
Key Words
Unison, Canon, Levels, Direction, Dynamics,
Repetition, Retrograde and Re-order

4. Quiz Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Unison – dancing altogether at
the same time
Canon – One after the other
Levels – Changing a movements
level to high, medium or low
Direction – Changing the
direction of a movement , gesture
or pathway
Dynamics – feeling of a
movement e.g. soft and hard
Repetition – Repeating a
movement (can be different level,
direction body part)
Retrograde – Performing a motif
in reverse/backwards
Re-order – change the order of a
motif
To be able to use the choreographic
devices unison, canon, levels,
direction, dynamics, repetition,
retrograde and re-order
 ALL students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process (Pass 3)
 MOST students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process clearly and
creatively (Merit 3)
 SOME students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process with confidence and
creativity (Distinction 3)
Key Words
Unison, Canon, Levels, Direction, Dynamics,
Repetition, Retrograde and Re-order

5. Main Task
Choreograph a dance using the
following devices:
Unison, Canon, Levels, Direction,
Dynamics, Repetition,
Retrograde and Re-order
2. You may repeat the whole dance
or movements from it as many
times as you like.
3. Try to create at least two
minutes of choreography.
1.
Tips for success –Extension Task
 Be creative
 Link the motifs in interesting ways
 Make sure you have an ending
position
 Make sure everyone in the group
contributes their ideas
To be able to use the choreographic devices
unison, canon, levels, direction, dynamics,
repetition, retrograde and re-order

ALL students will create dance material that
demonstrates key elements of the choreographic
process (Pass 3)

MOST students will create dance material that
demonstrates key elements of the choreographic
process clearly and creatively (Merit 3)

SOME students will create dance material that
demonstrates key elements of the choreographic
process with confidence and creativity (Distinction
3)
Key Words
Unison, Canon, Levels, Direction, Dynamics,
Repetition, Retrograde and Re-order

6. Plenary
Extended Learning
Please complete the NEW
rehearsal log.
Hand in next Wednesday.
Student of the lesson
To be able to use the choreographic
devices unison, canon, levels,
direction, dynamics, repetition,
retrograde and re-order
 ALL students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process (Pass 3)
 MOST students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process clearly and
creatively (Merit 3)
 SOME students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process with confidence and
creativity (Distinction 3)
Key Words
Unison, Canon, Levels, Direction, Dynamics,
Repetition, Retrograde and Re-order

7. Plenary
Extended Learning
Please complete the NEW
rehearsal log.
Hand in next Wednesday.
Student of the lesson
To be able to use the choreographic
devices unison, canon, levels,
direction, dynamics, repetition,
retrograde and re-order
 ALL students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process (Pass 3)
 MOST students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process clearly and
creatively (Merit 3)
 SOME students will create dance material
that demonstrates key elements of the
choreographic process with confidence and
creativity (Distinction 3)
Key Words
Unison, Canon, Levels, Direction, Dynamics,
Repetition, Retrograde and Re-order