Pistes d'exploration

With teacher guidance, watch the referenced videos in the “Step By Step” sections (e.g. pages 13, 25, 41). Discuss how the principles of dance are represented in these performances.

Create a glossary of dance vocabulary to accompany the book. Use images and text for each definition.

Work with a small group to create a dance piece, using information and suggestions from the book. Refer to the advice on pages 32-33 about how to collaborate and communicate successfully. Perform your creation.

Research one of the famous dancers quoted in the text. Prepare a multimedia presentation on this dancer and his or her style of dance.

Discuss dancing. Consider the many types of dance (ballet, tap, jazz, etc.) and which you prefer. Where and when do you enjoy dancing?

Create a glossary of dance vocabulary to accompany the book. Use images and text for each definition.

Research one of the famous dancers quoted. Prepare a multimedia presentation on this dancer and his or her style of dance.

Use the ideas in this guide to promote yourself and your favourite type of art. Make a sequence of the steps needed to get on the scene with your art.

Explore different approaches that readers use when reading explanatory texts. Consider elements such as the selection and synthesis of information and steps in a process, the organizational structure and the use of visuals to focus a reader’s attention.

Discuss the way text and image convey information. Consider colour choice, use of font, organizational structure of information, and other graphic design elements.

Use the book as a model for the production of an explanatory text such as a “how-to” booklet or digital graphic (infographic) that informs the reader and presents a process.

Watch several online dance videos. In small groups, create a simple dance routine of 16 counts. Show your understanding by including vocabulary learned from both the book and the videos. Write step-by-step illustrated instructions. Teach your classmates.

Planning a dance show requires more than dancers. With the text as your reference, list the important roles required to put on a school dance performance.

Create a word web with dance at the centre. Begin the web on your own, then adjust it by comparing words with a partner. Add dance vocabulary learned from the book and from your peers.

Mots-clés

Non-fiction , choreography , creativity , dance , instructions , performing

Commentaire descriptif

This book takes confident readers from the basics of movement to creating, publicizing and performing their own show. Chapters such as “Dance it Out,” “On the Scene” and “The World Through Dance” cover dance appreciation (“just do what comes naturally. I highly recommend busting a move to let loose”) and practical advice (“Most schools will let you try a class for free, so you can shop around”). The scope is huge: different sections discuss body movements, cooperative team-building, posting a dance video online, and much more. Sidebars introduce prominent dance figures through quotes and anecdotes. This book is dedicated to sharing the art—be it ballet or Bollywood. Illustrations and design recall a 1950s graphic sensibility, for a fun and sophisticated look. The spread on “Making Your Own Costume” uses piled-up colour blocks for headlines. A rounded rectangle background anchors the spot illustrations and captions. The section entitled “Build Your Web” uses graphic, crayon-effect lines to portray the world of Internet connections. Dancers are expressive and stylized (but not cute), allowing for a general appeal among teen readers. Altogether, this book is an attractive—and exhaustive—resource for dancers and would-be dancers.