​rethink.

Lesson Overview:

 

            Students will learn about the prominent role jazz music played during the Harlem Renaissance, and the infamous clubs that were like home to this style of music.  The students will also learn about a popular dance that went along with jazz music: Swing Dancing.  For their lesson, students will partner up and tell the class a few important facts about one of the famous clubs that we have talked about.  Also as a representation of the clubs, students will research a type of swing dance, and with their partner, will learn the dance and perform it for the class.

 

Preparation:

 

            For this lesson students will have prior knowledge about the Harlem Renaissance from the previous lessons they will be participating in.  They will also be looking at various websites and videos, to give them a look into the famous clubs and dances we will be talking about.

 

Materials:

• The Cotton Club Music Performances/History

• History of The Cotton Club

• History of The Apollo Theater

• Swing Dancing

• Paper

• Pens/pencils

• Crayons/markers/colored pencils

• Websites:

http://historyday.crf-usa.org/2809/html/the_cotton_club.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKwu165KS5Y

http://www.apollotheater.org/about/history

http://www.carondelet.pvt.k12.ca.us/Spring11/Dance/ashleyyyy.htm

 

Instruction:

 

• First I will introduce the lesson by playing jazz music, and then I will ask my students to write, or draw, on a piece of paper, what comes to mind when they hear this music.

• Next, I will ask them to discuss their thoughts with a partner, and then have a few volunteers share what they were thinking.

• After, we will discuss the famous clubs during the 1920’s that played jazz music, and I will show them a video, which will give them a glimpse of the infamous ‘Cotton Club’ and some of the performances that were showcased there.

• From there we will move into the dance that was found in many of these clubs: Swing Dance. 

• I will show my students a video of a few styles of swing dance, and as a class we will practice some of the moves we see.

• Next, students choose a partner and together they will gather five facts about one of the clubs they have just recently learned about, and share in front of the class.

• Lastly, with their partner, they will pick a type of swing dance, and perform some of the step for the class.

 

Standards:

 

• R4.A.2.5.1: Summarize the major points, processes and/or events of a nonfictional text as a whole.

• 1.6.4.B: Demonstrate awareness of audience using appropriate volume and clarity in formal speaking presentations.