Stable Structures in Ballet

How can we use stable structures in ballet?  Grade 2 students have brought a lot of knowledge about ballet to our current unit.  By connecting their prior learning with their classroom unit How The World Works-- Stable Structures, students are discovering new ways to strengthen their dancing.

First of all, we looked at ballet positions from First Position to Fifth Position.  Students explored the stability of each position.  They tried each position then in a plié position and in relevé.  Students discovered that not all ballet positions are stable, and explored ways to strengthen each position.

Next, students explored axiel movement steps from ballet.  Each time they practiced a step, they reflected on how stable the step was and how stable they felt.  Again, students explored ways to make these steps stronger.

Students tried locomotor movements in ballet, such as waltz steps, leaps, and turns. 

Finally, students explored various ballet poses from pictures of professional dancers.  They wondered why many of these poses were so difficult and unstable, and how professional dancers could perform these so easily.  Students will choose their favorite poses for their own dance sequence.

You can watch a video of students doing some of these poses in a sequence.

What are our next steps?  We will be watching some videos of professional dancers to learn more about strengthening poses, axiel, and locomotor movements.  Students will begin to create a dance using the various movements they've learned so far.