Choreography Station Rotation: Build a Dance Tool by Tool
Groups rotate through four stations (canon, mirror, level changes, and direction changes), and at each one they add 8 counts to their dance following the station's task card. At the end, each group performs a 32-count piece built tool by tool. Students work on creativity and applying choreography tools step by step.
How to play
- Set up 4 stations marked with cones, each with a task card: CANON (8 counts in a 2-count canon), MIRROR (8 counts in pairs facing each other), LEVELS (8 counts through high, middle, and low), and DIRECTIONS (8 counts with two direction changes). Explain them in 3 minutes.
- Form 4-5 groups of 5-6 students; each group starts at a different station.
- Groups get 5 minutes per station to create and rehearse their 8 counts following the card. On the whistle they rotate clockwise to the next station.
- At each new station, the group first reviews what it already has, then adds the 8 new counts (4 rotations, 20 minutes total).
- Final 3-minute rehearsal to link the four blocks in any order and choose an ending pose.
- All groups perform (4 minutes); the audience identifies when each tool shows up.
Rules
- Rotate only on the whistle, walking, in the direction given.
- Task cards always stay at their station.
- At the levels station, get to the floor using your hands or knees for support.
Variations
Easier
Three stations (canon, mirror, levels) with 6 minutes each.
Standard
Four 5-minute stations and a final 32-count piece.
Harder
Add a fifth call-and-response station, and the final piece must have transitions with no pauses.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: each card includes an adapted option (levels with torso and arms, directions with wheelchair turns) so the group dances the same version.
- Students with autism: preview the station order with a diagram and keep the group's starting position the same every time.
- Skill level: groups who struggle use 4 counts per station.
Learning goals
- Apply different choreography tools in an organized way.
- Build a dance by adding up blocks created as a group.
- Identify choreography tools in other groups' pieces.
Equipment for a class of 25
- task cards: 4
- cones: 16
- music
- portable speaker: 1
Teacher tip
The review at the start of each station is key; if groups skip it, they forget their first blocks by the end. Keep the music running and use the whistle only for rotations.
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