Contextualization

Dance is a form of expression that emerged with humanity, existing practically since our earliest ancestors learned to walk upright. It is a natural and instinctive way for humans to communicate, express themselves, and celebrate, and has played a central role in many cultures throughout history.

Not only that, dance is an art form that continues to evolve and transform, reflecting the social, political, and cultural changes that occur in a given time or region. This evolution of dance as an art form is what we will explore in this project.

Introduction

To understand dance in its various forms, we need to look back at its history and evolution. In ancient societies, dance had ritual and religious functions, was used to tell stories, and mark important events.

Throughout the ages, dance has transformed and diversified, but has always maintained its role as a means of expression and communication. During the Renaissance, for example, ballroom dance was born, in which couples danced together in specific formations. Later, in the 20th century, we saw the emergence of more individualistic forms of dance, such as jazz and hip-hop.

In the 21st century, dance continues to evolve with new styles emerging all the time, many of which are influenced by cultures from around the world. Additionally, dance has also found its place in the digital world, with the creation of dances for social media platforms like TikTok.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Dancing through History

Project Objective

This project aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of the evolution of dance as a form of art and expression throughout history. By recognizing dance as a universal cultural manifestation that reflects the society and time in which it is performed, students will be able to appreciate the diversity and richness of different dance forms.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group will be responsible for exploring a specific period in the history of dance (for example, the Renaissance era, the Romantic period, the 20th century).

They will have to research and analyze the changes that occurred in dance during that period, how new styles emerged, how they reflected the society of the time, and what were the main influences.

As part of this research, students must select a specific dance from the period they are studying and learn the basic steps of that dance. They must then record a video of their dance performance.

The video should include a brief summary (2-3 minutes) of the group's research on the evolution of dance during the period they are representing, followed by the group's dance performance.

Necessary Materials

1. Internet access for research
2. Camera or smartphone to record the dance performance
3. Space for rehearsals and recording of the dance

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Group division and choice of historical period for study
2. Detailed research on the evolution of dance in the chosen period. This research should include:
   • Identification of popular dance styles during the chosen time period
   • Analysis of how these dance styles reflected the society of the time
   • Identification of the main influences that led to the emergence of these new dance styles
3. Selection of a specific dance from the period to be learned by the group
4. Rehearsal and learning of the basic steps of the chosen dance
5. Recording of the dance performance video, which should include the research summary and the dance
6. Preparation of a detailed report on the research, processes, and findings. This report should include:
   • Introduction: Summary of the project's objective, importance of the theme, and real-world application
   • Development: Detailed description of the research conducted, methodology, dance practice, and results
   • Conclusion: Recap of the main points, learnings, and conclusions about the project
   • Bibliography: References used during the work
7. Submission of the video and report within the stipulated deadline

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, teams must deliver:

1. Presentation Video: 10 to 15 minutes long, with a theoretical introduction about the evolution of dance in the chosen historical period and a practice of the selected dance. The video will be a playful and interactive way to represent theoretical learning.

2. Written Report: Composed of an introduction, development, conclusion, and bibliography, the written report allows students to consolidate their research and reflections on the project. The narrative in the report should be clear and follow the organization presented in the detailed step-by-step above. Each part should be well defined and reflect the group's research efforts on the dances of the chosen historical period.

The conclusion of the report should explicitly state what the students learned from this historical and practical immersion in dance, highlighting the insights gained about the evolution of human art and expression.