Choreography Tools: Canon, Mirror and Unison
Groups compose a short dance from a common movement phrase and transform it with choreographic tools: canon, mirror, unison, level changes and facing changes. Students work on creativity, group composition and making artistic choices.
How to play
- Teach the whole class a 16-count phrase with 4 simple moves (step, turn, drop to the floor, arm gesture); 4 minutes of practice to music.
- Explain each tool with a 30-second example: unison (everyone at once), canon (staggered start every 4 counts), mirror (partners facing each other) and level change.
- Form groups of 5 or 6; each group draws 2 cards with required tools and adds one of its choice. 1 minute.
- Groups have 12 minutes to compose a 48- to 64-count piece that includes the common phrase and all three tools, with a frozen start and end.
- Dress rehearsal for 4 minutes; circulate and ask each group to make every tool clearly visible from the audience.
- Each group performs its piece (1 minute) and the audience identifies which tools were used and where. 7 minutes total.
Rules
- Everyone in the group takes part in every tool.
- Floor drops are done by placing hands and knees down, never falling hard.
- Feedback is about the piece, never about the person.
Variations
Easier
Use only unison and canon with an 8-count common phrase.
Standard
16-count phrase, three tools and a 48- to 64-count piece.
Harder
Add a fourth tool, retrograde (phrase backwards), and a slow-to-fast dynamic change.
Adaptations
- For a student with limited mobility, adapt the common phrase to arm, head and torso moves, and the group builds it into the mirror or canon.
- Shy students may take a back or side spot for the first performance and choose their own role in the piece.
- Students with more dance experience coordinate rehearsal but do not get to decide the piece alone.
Learning goals
- Apply choreographic tools to transform a movement phrase.
- Compose a group piece with a clear beginning, middle and end.
- Analyze other groups' work using composition vocabulary.
Equipment for a class of 25
- music: 1
- speakers: 1
- cards: 10
Teacher tip
Groups tend to burn time arguing; put up a visible timer and give a halfway warning. Canon works much better when someone counts out loud during rehearsal.
PatioLab has "Choreography Tools: Canon, Mirror and Unison" and 1299 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for High School
10-20-30 interval running in pairs
The 10-20-30 method strings together 30 seconds of easy jogging, 20 at a moderate pace and 10 at top speed, in five-minute blocks.
1v1 Ball Volley Matches
1v1 ball volley: singles games on a small court with a low net, hitting the ball over the net and allowing one bounce.
2-on-2 Volleyball with Blocker Hand Signals
2-on-2 volleyball modeled on beach doubles: the net player uses hand signals behind their back to tell their partner which area they will block and which the partner…
4-on-4 Volleyball with a Setter and Outside Attack
Small-court 4-on-4 games where each team has a setter at the net and builds the pass-set-hit sequence toward the outside hitter.
4x50 Relay: Blind Handoff in the Exchange Zone
Teams of four learn to pass the baton without looking inside an exchange zone marked with cones, with the receiver taking off at speed so no time is lost.
Acrosport Flow: Linked Stunt Transitions
Groups of four link three simple acrosport stunts, moving from one to the next without fully coming down, with safe builds and dismounts.