Lesson Plans
To view lessons, click on text within the circles below. For more curriculum materials, see Assessment and Teaching with Technology pages. To see additional lessons and observation reports, see the Observation Report page.
Lesson |01: Choreographer Study Day 1: Gathering Evidence on a Mystery Choreographer (Katherine Dunham)
This lesson was developed, implemented, observed, and videotaped during Natalie’s student teaching internship in a New Jersey high school dance program. The implemented lesson was part of students’ “Modern Dance Choreographers Unit” and the first day on this new choreographer. During the lesson, students worked as young researchers and choreographers as they engaged in in a convergent discovery episode inferring and uncovering information on an unknown, or mystery choreographer, Katherine Dunham. Students began by analyzing photographs of the mystery choreographer, participating in an improvisation based warm-up embodying principles of Dunham technique, and inferring values, influences, and principles of Miss Dunham and her technique. Students then worked in small groups to collaboratively choreograph short dance studies embodying the shapes/movement analyzed in the photographs from the lesson’s opening. Dance studies were then performed and as part of their homework students continued to further infer values, influences, and principles of the mystery choreographer, Katherine Dunham, and her technique.
Above are several photos from the implemented lesson.
Click to enlarge and view captions.
Choreographer Study Day 1: Gathering Evidence on a Mystery Choreographer (Katherine Dunham) was observed by the principal of Natalie’s internship school, her university supervisor, and her university program director. Click here to view their feedback.
Click here to view the lesson plan and post-teaching reflection.
Click here to view a PowerPoint overview of the lesson with photographs, charts, and analyzed data from the implemented and observed lesson. (Can be viewed without a password.)
Preparing to Teach
Co-Teachers Left to Right: Rachel Miranda, Lisa Peluso, and Natalie Swan
Lesson |02: Nature Inspiring Movement
This lesson was developed in collaboration with Rachel Miranda and Lisa Peluso as part of Practicum in Teaching Dance 2: Technique and Pedagogy at Rutgers University. “Nature Inspiring Movement” was co-taught to our classmates as we then received feedback, reflected, revised, and re-taught the lesson.
Lesson Abstract: Students will identify body connectivity and body shape symbols, learn how to notate tactile and vestibular actions, and participate in an improvisational warm-up/performance that connects the learned symbols to nature.
Lesson |03: Making Text-to-Self Connections through Movement
“If I Never Forever Endeavor: Making Text-to-Self Connections through Movement” is a three day arts integrated lesson. Day one, students engage in a read aloud of Holly Mead’s If I Never Forever Endeavor as they make text-to-self connections to a little bird learning to fly for the first time. Day two, students explore big and small movements during a dance focused lesson. Day three, students embody their text-to-self connections made on day one as they utilize small movements to represent moments from the text, regarding the little bird, and large movements to represent their personal connections.
Lesson |04: Accessing Books Around the World Informative Paragraph
This five day learning segment is a highly individualized adaptation of Lessons 10-15 of engageNY’s ELA Common Core, Grade 3, Module 1, Unit 3. Drawing on the strengths and meeting the needs of students in a high needs third grade classroom Ms. Swan, along with three co-teachers, guided and scaffold each student in writing their own informative paragraph.
Above are several photos of student work and materials.
Click to enlarge and view captions.
Just a sample of my work. To see more or discuss possible work >>