Dance Research Essay

Suggested Grades

4+

Objective

Students will learn about and appreciate the history, characteristics, and significance of a specific dance style.

Materials

  • a variety of research material for dance, books, magazines, pamphlets, websites (see links below), etc.

Method

  • Ask students to pick a dance style that they are interested in and would like to learn more about.
  • Here are a few dance styles:
    • Square
    • Line
    • Jive
    • Tap
    • First Nations
    • Jive
    • Hip Hop
    • Funk
    • Waltz
    • Foxtrot
    • Tango
    • Latin
    • Ballet
    • Polka
    • Dragon
    • Quadrille
    • Contra
    • Round
    • Sicilian Circles
    • Mescolanzas
  • Ask students to do a research essay on the dance style that they chose. Collect information and photos focusing on the dance style’s history, characteristics, and significance to society.
  • Display the essays, or have students present them to the class so that the class can get some exposure to information on a variety of forms of dance.
  • Encourage students to teach their dance styles to the rest of the class.